Anushka Sharma: The story should always be the hero in Bollywood films

New Delhi: The trend of female centric films finding a place in Bollywood is hailed by many, but Anushka Sharma has an entirely different point of view. The actress says films should not be differentiated on the basis of gender as the key to a good movie lies in its storyline. [caption id=“attachment_2729194” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Anushka Sharma. Image from IBNlive[/caption] “I don’t think that a film should be known as ‘male-centric’ or ‘female-centric’, but it should be known for the story. That would be really nice and viable too. I think NH10 could have been done equally well by anybody else and it’s not a ‘female-centric’ or ‘male-centric’ film. It’s the story that will appeal to the audience,” Anushka told IANS in an email interview. After working as a model, Anushka debuted in Bollywood with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in 2008, and went on to carve a name for herself in showbiz. The journey in the Hindi filmdom for Anushka was not smooth as she had her share of setbacks with films like Patiala House, Badmaash Company or Bombay Velvet. But a common string that ties all her films together — be it Band Baaja Baaraat, Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, PK, NH10, Bombay Velvet or Dil Dhadakne Do — is the presence of strong female characters. She opted for a film with a strong message about honour killing and respect for women as she went behind camera as a producer last year with NH10. When asked about her criteria while picking projects as an actor or producer, the 27-year-old said she is inclined towards role she can relate to. “I always do stories that I believe in, characters that I find interesting and directors who I want to work with. All these factors have contributed while making choices and continue to as an actor and as a producer,” said Anushka, whose father was an army officer. After a power packed NH 10, Anushka has also announced her next production Phillauri. She is co-producing the film with Fox Star Studios, and will be sharing screen space with singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh and Suraj Sharma, of Life of Pi fame. The actress asserts that “there is no particular subject that I want to address, as a producer I want to make films that will appeal to the audience”. Anushka’s fans have lot of things to look forward to. She will be seen with Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and with Salman Khan in Sultan, which is said to be a film based on a wrestler’s life. A lot of speculation has already surfaced around her film slate, and the actress is also excited about it. She said: “I will talk about them (the movies) but not now. Eid and Diwali are going to be special for me this year”.