Anushka Sharma is dressed in all blue. We are tempted to ask if it’s for the Men in Blue but we let that go for the moment. But over the course of the chat at her gorgeous penthouse in Versova, it strikes us that the colour may have something to do with her being all cool, calm and collected. After all, her first home production, NH10, is releasing on March 13 and the 26-year-old stunner is not nervous. 

“There is no pressure… I know I am backed by a good story and a good director. This is not a popularity contest. People are not going to watch the film because I am popular. I might bring in some audience… there will be bums on the seat but I can’t make people like the film. For that you need both the story and director to work and that I think we have. So, no nerves,” she says, matter-of-factly. Aye-aye (er) Captain Cool!

Congratulations, PK was a massive box-office success. Are you someone who treats herself to goodies after such a success?

No. I am obviously walking on clouds, even now, but my celebrations are not public. 

So, how did NH10 happen?

It’s a long story. NH10 had come to me many years ago. I had loved the script even then but I refused it because I had already committed to four-five films. I don’t feel comfortable tying down a director for a long period of time. So, I told Navdeep (Singh) that I love his film but if he can’t wait, I would completely understand. Then there were reports that the film was being made with different people… so I was like chalo.… Then Anurag (Kashyap) told me during the shoot of Bombay Velvet that Navdeep is trying to make NH10. I think this film was meant for me. So, I read it again. 

What came first — the decision to act in NH10 or the urge to produce a film?

Around the time when I read NH10 the second time, I would talk to my brother (Karnesh) about films.… We’d watch something interesting and get excited and wonder if we could make films like this here. So there was an idea at the back of our minds, but we didn’t act upon it immediately… because life happened (laughs).

When NH10 came to me, it was commercially viable for me to let go of the actor’s fee. When an actor’s cost is not overbearing on a movie, it’s easier for a studio to pick it up. I just wanted to get the film made… so I was ready to do anything. I really believe in the film. 

Playing a character gives an actor a chance to live a different life and learn something new. What did Meera teach you?
Hmm… interesting question. That we squash our thoughts into 140 characters about how we want to change the world. But when it comes down to living a life and dealing with real issues, people are not heroes… not under unusual circumstances. If your life continues down a set trajectory, it’s all fine. But as soon as things go off the rails… how you react shows the true you. Someone asked me if my character in the film is affected by violence on women. I said, not when she’s faced with violence. In that moment, she is not looking to be a hero… she is only trying to save herself. It’s about self-preservation. That’s reality. 

This being your first home production, there must be a lot of pressure on you. Were you able to disconnect from your duties as producer while shooting?

Before we started shooting the film, I knew I’d have to disconnect myself. I have realised that as an actor, you only get involved in the shooting, which is the easiest thing about making a film because everything is already planned and in place… well most things (laughs). The big glitches that happen, happen during the mounting of the film and when it needs to be sold to a studio. Since my brother is a part of the production house, we’ve divided our duties responsibly. So, when we were shooting, all responsibilities were with my brother. 

Will you be producing more films or is NH10 a one-off?

No, we want to produce more films. We want to pick up great stories, work with young talented people who are trying to say something different. It’s not necessary that I act in these films. 

You shot NH10 between PK and Bombay Velvet, two big-budget films. Did you go into NH10, which is a smaller film, with the same mindset?

Absolutely! When you are performing, your only base is the story. The film’s budget doesn’t make a difference. You can’t think of other things. You don’t perform more ‘commercially’ in a commercial film. You are aware of your budget restrictions when making a film like NH10, but that doesn’t — and shouldn’t — affect the actor in you. When the audience watches you in the film, they don’t care if you made the film with Rs 10 crore or Rs 100 crore.

A few years ago, you had told t2 you have a list of directors you would like to work with. Have you made additions to the list?

Oh ya, constantly! I must have mentioned the names of directors I was already working with. So, I am not going to name any specific names but now that we are producing I am meeting such hugely talented newcomers. There is so much talent here. 

2015 promises to be a crazy year for you….

Not promises! It already has been crazy. I am very excited about the kind of work I am doing. I am collaborating with very, very talented people. I am working with different minds, so they are presenting me very differently. This is exactly what I have always wanted. I have done fewer films because I want to do different things. 

Have you managed to watch the World Cup matches despite all the madness?

(Laughs) Yes, I’ve watched India’s matches. 

I have to ask about the hullabaloo in your personal life. You’ve said you didn’t address romance rumours because people don’t understand boundaries and ask random questions. What is the strangest question you’ve been asked about Virat Kohli?

Ermm… just questions like what did you say to him after the match. That’s just a daft question. I am not going to tell you what I said during my phone conversation! I have also gone from not being an actor to being an actor, but things like this never interested me. I can understand if you are interested in how they are dating, who they were seen with, but what people are talking about… eh, I don’t get it. I don’t even understand how people can even get themselves to ask something so personal!

Have you heard the latest buzz about how Virat and you have been lucky for each other?

(Rolls her eyes) I don’t understand how anyone’s success can be attributed to someone else. People who work in this industry should know better than anyone how much competition there is. How can Virat affect my work or I affect his? I find that really funny and also kind of demeaning to our talent and hard work. 

Karishma Upadhyay
Who is a bigger star, Anushka or Virat? Tell t2@abp.in