Sultan director interacts with students of Whistling Woods International

Yash Raj Films' Sultan is already a blockbuster and to decode the success of the film, director Ali Abbas Zafar had an interactive session with the students of Whistling Woods International (WWI) in Mumbai on Tuesday. The film was screened before the chat session. Zafar was also felicitated by eminent filmmaker and Founder and Chairman of WWI, Subhash Ghai.

The students floored Zafar with questions. On the lead actor of the film Salman Khan, Zafar said, “There are certain roles which are meant to be done by certain actors. A role only becomes iconic if you cast it well.” Zafar also pointed out that while writing the script, he wanted to create a character that everyone could identify with. And the take-off point for the movie was when he found that character, which embodied the very meaning of life.

While addressing the students, Zafar spoke of the importance of team dynamics while making a film. He told the students that filmmaking is a team sport and every one involved should follow the same vision. According to him, the most important equations which need to be taken care of are the ones between the director and the actor, and the director and his cameraman.

Anushka stands her ground once again

When she was trolled on Twitter, she stayed calm. When critics lambasted her over her lip job, she didn’t react. And instead, she concentrated on her priorities and gave one memorable performance after another as an actress.

If Bipasha Basu and Kangana Ranaut revel in the fact that they have scored high at the box-office without the three Khans (Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir), here’s Anushka Sharma, daughter of an Army man who has held her own even in the presence of the Khans, Kumar (Akshay), Kapoor (Ranbir) and Singh (Ranveer).

Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (her debut with King Khan) catapulted her to instant stardom. But she didn’t get carried away and instead has risen in the ranks as a star and more precisely as an actress. Ali Abbas Zafar’s Sultan starring Salman Khan is minting money, but in spite of Sultan being a SALMAN KHAN film, critics are also showering praises on Anushka for carrying herself with grace on screen.

And this is not the first time she has stood apart on a large canvas with a big star. Beyond Rab Ne…she played the ebullient journalist Akira in the legendary Yash Chopra’s last directorial venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan (opposite SRK) and romped home with her share of accolades. In Raju Hirani’s PK, a film that was all about an AAMIR KHAN, she played her part and was lauded. And now it’s Sultan with the biggest superstar in the country.

“The actress’s wrestling moves are clean and she plays Arfa with sparkle and wit,” mentions The Indian Express.  Mid-Day writes, “Anushka Sharma as Aarfa, the female wrestler who inspires Sultan, is flawless as she is often. It’s her practical, don’t-mess-with-me acting that makes her a delight to watch.” Yash Raj Films which produced the film wouldn’t be regretting at its choice of picking Anushka over the likes of Parineeti Chopra and others.

Call her sexy (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and Bombay Velvet) or the ordinary girl (Rab Ne…) or the rural belle (Sultan), she has variety in her kitty too.

Anushka may have been around for just eight years in the competitive world of Bollywood (if yours truly dares to use this term), but she has already proved her worth as a performer to reckon with. And it’s not just the Khans, remember Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House with Akshay Kumar and Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet opposite Ranbir Kapoor? Did she give a miss-and-blink performance? No she didn’t. Even in a multi-starrer like Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakne Do, she didn’t disappoint.  And Anushka does aim big by turning producer with NH10 and earning appreciation for her attempt.

On the personal front, she has maintained her dignified silence on her affair with the latest icon of Indian cricket Virat Kohli. She doesn’t hesitate to be in the stands and cheer for her beau even if her ‘foes’ take swipes at her, if Virat fails. Poor girl, she has to take the blame for Virat's dismal show and guess what, even if he delivers, she is 'thanked' for her exit from his life.

It may be too much for the asking, but here’s one actress who has slowly and steadily climbed up the ladder of success and can attain legendary status that the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and enjoy. But, it’s still early days.

Nevertheless, Anushka has the conviction to stand apart no matter how big an actor is cast opposite her. For the Kanganas and Bipashas, here’s a message: Take up challenges of all forms and then leave it to the audiences to judge.

And before we wind up, Anushka's next will be Imtiaz Ali’s film opposite Shah Rukh Khan. And let’s not forget Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where she shares screen space with Aishwarya Rai and Ranbir.

Didn’t we say she isn't bothered about the star value of her co-stars? Because she knows she has it in her not to get overshadowed.

Hats off to you Anushka!