“My last meeting with Yashji was at Rani Mukerji’s house” – Anushka Sharma – Part 2

By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam -

November 10, 2012 - 11:33 AM IST

One of YRF's favourites Anushka Sharma is back on the big screen in this year's big Diwali release Jab Tak Hai Jaan which is a Yash Chopra romance. The promos of the film have created a solid buzz and Anushka hopes that the film is loved by one and all. In Part 2 of this interview with Bollywood Hungama's Nikhil Ramsubramaniam, Anushka talks about re-uniting again with SRK, sharing screen space with Katrina, her favourite track from the film and her last meeting with the late Yash Chopra. Read on...

“My last meeting with Yashji was at Rani Mukerji’s house” – Anushka Sharma – Part 2

After debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, how was it re-uniting once again with him for this film?

Shah Rukh hasn't changed one bit. He is still the most lovable guy and he is still my favourite costar. He is a complete team player and the most selfless actor. He is frank, honest and great fun to be around.

Did you get a chance to share screen space with Katrina? If yes, how's been the experience working with her?

Yes we have quite a few scenes together. We both got along really well and had a good working relationship. I think somewhere we both are alike and not very girly-girly. We don't end up discussing about our hair, make-up etc like how girls typically and generally do. Also I don't really have to try too hard to start a conversation with Katrina. We gelled really well. Honestly if someone offers me another 2 heroine film and I had to pick whom I would like to work with, I would say Katrina any day because it was very easy working with her.

With Katrina also being a YRF favourite, were you at any time insecure of her hogging all the limelight?

Noâ€¦not at all. When you are offered a film, you go through the script and then make up your mind whether you want to do it or not. Yashji's films have always been kind of a triangle of sorts His films have always been about the relationship between three principal characters and how they are interlinked with each other. So that concern didn't even cross my mind one bit. If you see Veer Zaara, you can't say Rani's role wasn't as good or impactful as Preity's. Even in Dil To Pagal Hai, Karisma had an equally good role as Madhuri. Karisma even won a National Award for her role in Dil To Pagal Hai. That's been the nature of all of Yashji's films. His roles are all equal with no real discrimination.

With A.R.Rahman and Gulzar part of the musical team, the music is surely one of the highlights of the film. Tell us about your personal favourites from the album?

I like 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'- the title track a lot, it's really beautiful. Then of course I like my song 'Jiya Re' and also 'Challa'.

You seem to have done some crazy adventure sports such as river-rafting, river crossing etc while filming 'Jiya Re'. Tell us more about that experience.

It was quite a task. I had to be physically fit and active for my character. Akira is very adventurous. She is a documentary film maker who is constantly on the move travelling to places like Ladakh and Kashmir. I did rapid river crossing, river rafting etc during 'Jiya Re'. When you look at the promos, it all seems very easy and I am smiling etc. but trust me it was quite a task. My ribs and stomach were hurting for almost a month after that. I also got a chance to be a part of action sequences in the film.

Can you recall your last meeting with Yashji?

It's very strange but while shooting for Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Yashji and I obviously did interact a lot but never did just the two of us share a long conversation. It was always in a group with the rest of the cast and crew. The last time I met him was at Rani Mukerji's house during Ganpati puja. Yashji and Pam aunty had also come there for Ganpati darshan. He just called me and said "Idhar Aaja, Baith Mere Saath" and the two of us ended up chatting for one hour. We spoke abut everything and anything under the sun. He had seen most of the film that time and spoke about what he thought of the film, my work in the film and even singled out some scenes. He told me where I looked very nice in the film. It's very bizarre that before he left, he told me what he felt about my performance in the film. Had I not had that conversation with Yashji, I would have always had this empty void in me wondering what Yashji felt about my performance.

Finally what are your upcoming projects?

My next film is Vishal Bhardwaj's Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola with Imran Khan which releases on Jan 11 next year. I start shooting for Raj Kumar Hirani's P.K with Aamir in December and then there is Bombay Velvet with Anurag Kashyap.

Click here to read Part 1 of this interview

Watch Song Promo: Jiya Re (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)