Learning the ropes

Anushka Sharma has emerged as one of the most successful young stars of Bollywood but the actress says she cannot imagine herself handling the stardom the way Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan do.

Anushka, who made her debut with Shah Rukh in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, went on to star opposite Aamir Khan in PK and Salman in last year’s blockbuster Sultan.

The 28-year-old actress says she has not achieved the superstardom yet, but whatever she has scares her.

“I sometimes think about this (referring to stardom) and get scared. I haven’t experienced superstardom like Salman, Shah Rukh or Aamir. But even this (my stardom) can give a false sense, forget about what they face.

“I won’t be able to handle it. It’s a talent the way Salman, Shah Rukh handle their stardom,” Anushka said.

Citing an example of SRK, with whom she has collaborated for the third time in Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming project, the actress says, “I recently worked with Shah Rukh and the dedication with which he works, the enthusiasm, the amount of respect he gives to the director despite coming a long way in life, is not easy.”

Anushka may have had a great run at the box office but the actress does not take her success seriously.

“I am very sure that if I had become too aware of my stardom, it would’ve been a very difficult process for me. I am a simple person. I’ve never thought that I am special and have believed everyone is just doing their job,” she says.

“I believe if I start taking myself too seriously that ‘I am an actor’, it will affect my creativity. Once ego enters your creativity, it destroys you. Stardom gives you a false sense of self. These are transitory things, this will eventually go away,” she adds.

The actress has now ventured into production and her second film as a producer, Phillauri released this Friday. — PTI