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Anushka Sharma: I'm really fond of Ranveer

With a surprise hit (Band Baaja Baaraat) to her credit and endorsement deals pouring in by the dozen, Anushka Sharma has become one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood.

In her upcoming film Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, the actress plays an innocent-looking conwoman. 

Apart from that, Anushka has already signed up for Vishal Bhardwaj's Matru Ki Biwi Ka Mann Dola and will be seen in a pivotal role alongside her first costar Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif in Yash Chopra's next film.

In an interview with Sonil Dedhia, the actress speaks about her equation with Ranveer Singh, her experience of working with Yash Raj Films, and clears the air about some of the controversies surrounding her.

In Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (LVRB), you are acting in yet another Yash Raj Films production. Has it become a home-away-from-home for you?

I started my career with Yash Raj Films and would not be an actor today if they hadn't selected me for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. So I will always be grateful for that.

They have a strong work ethic, which is something I like and admire. It's really important for me to work with people I respect and who respect me.

'I respect Aditya Chopra the most after my parents'

This is your fourth venture with Yash Raj Films.  Do you ask for script reading sessions or do you just blindly accept?

I think after my parents, if there is anybody I respect, it is Aditya Chopra. He is a person who respects everyone, big or small. I am very glad that he has always offered me scripts he thought would suit me well.

So would you choose a director or a production house over a script?

Neither can work without the other, at least for me. Inspiration always comes from a director and that's why I will always work with a great director who offers me a good script.

Aditya Chopra is very media shy. Why is that?

I think it's a personal choice and you have to respect that. I agree with his choice; he is very clear he is making films and he wants to be completely cut off from the social world and be involved in the real world so that he can make realistic films.

'Band Baaja Baarat is a benchmark success for us'

People are saying that you are the new Rani Mukerji of Yash Raj Films...

She is one of the best actresses in our industry and I think comparing a newcomer like me to such an experienced actress is demeaning her status.

LVRB has the same team as Band Baaja Baarat. Was the shooting a lot easier considering you have worked with director Maneesh Sharma before?

Band Baaja Baarat is a benchmark of success for us. LVRB is a completely different film. I think the comfort level is more this time even though it's more of a challenge to us all.

The expectations are high and we are definitely facing a big challenge.

'We are facing a big challenge with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl'

How was the experience of working with Ranveer Singh again?

It is great to come back in a film with Ranveer. I am really fond of him. The comfort level is much better this time.

During Band Baaja Baarat we used to fight a lot. We couldn't understand each other then. But now we have more respect for each other and know when to give each other space.

I have a lot of respect for him and he really inspires me. He is very focused and passionate about films.

What does Ranveer have to say about your equation with him?

Ranveer keeps saying that he doesn't know much about equations as he kept failing in chemistry, but when I came into his life, he passed with flying colours! That's Ricky Bahl for you, ladies...pakhandi (laughs). 

'I feel as if I am a part of some off-screen film story'

What's you relationship with Ranveer?

We were declared a couple by the media, broken up by the media, then poor Sonakshi (Sinha) was thrown into the picture by the media...At times I feel as if I am a part of some off-screen film story! I think filmmaking should be left to us!

Have you come across a guy who has tried to con you in real life?

I cannot tolerate a man disrespecting a girl. If a guy talks to a girl disrespectfully I am ready to slap him.

In my school days, I was a tomboy and have beaten up boys who troubled me or my friends.

'I have a lot of confidence in myself as an actor'

There are three other women playing prominent roles in the film. Were you insecure with that?

No, I am not insecure. For me, my script and my role are more important. If my script is kickass, then I don't care about anybody else in the film.

The story comes together and falls into place because of these three women, and I think they have been cast perfectly.

Dipannita Sharma is playing a character that is very much like her in real life. Parineeti Chopra portrays the character of a very loud girl from Delhi and that's exactly how she is in real life too. Saira hails from a small town in Lucknow and Aditi Sharma's character is similar.

I have a lot of confidence in myself as an actor. I am doing a film with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, but I have no issues with it.

'What came out about Shahid and me at a party was very derogatory'

Did the fight between Katrina and you over a make-up artist really happen?

I will never reach a stage where I have to be in a tussle with Katrina Kaif. I genuinely respect her. It is not easy to be an outsider and make a mark in Bollywood, but she has done it.

I am doing a film with her and I want to have a very cordial relationship with all my co-actors.

Katrina and I fighting over a make-up artist is the silliest thing that I have come across.

Did you think of speaking to Katrina and clarifying things?

I don't think I need to clarify anything with Katrina Kaif.

What happened between Shahid Kapoor and you at a party?

What came out from that party was something very derogatory. It was a very humiliating article and I kept wondering what were they trying to create? That article almost had me as a characterless woman and I hate it when someone disrespects a woman like that.

'If I was anorexic, I'd be in a hospital'

A certain section of the media says you're anorexic.

I am not anorexic. I don't think people understand what anorexia is. It's a mental condition. Just because we are actors doesn't mean remarks like these don't affect us. I am offended and extremely angry with such reports.

If I am anorexic, I'd be in hospital! What hurts the most is the way these stories affect my family. They call me up wondering if I am not well.

I am very confident about myself and I'm very comfortable in my skin. If someone says I looked or acted terrible in so-and-so film, that's fine with me, but calling me anorexic is derogatory.

Can you tell us about your film Matru Ki Biwi Ka Mann Dola with Vishal Bhardwaj?

Yes, I am going to do Vishal Bhardwaj's next film and I am really excited about it because he is one director I have always wanted to work with. I admire his work, the way he thinks and the way he portrays his thinking through cinema.