The Everygirl

Anushka Sharma is real, relatable and true to herself. And, that is her superpower

There’s a little bit of Anushka Sharma in each of us – determined, talented, brilliant, funny, reticent, charming, alluring, relatable and as real as they come. Sharma catapulted to fame with a dream debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in 2008. A decade down, despite her burgeoning following, prolific pace, and cult status, there is one crucial element to her personality that remains unaltered: authenticity. She is firmly rooted in her moral values, her sense of self greater than the mounting pressure to fit into a mould. “I’m in a profession that’s all about appearances,” she says matter-of-factly. “You are expected to be a certain way because you’re an actor and an entertainer. I am of the opinion that I can be that way in front of the camera, but I don’t feel the need to constantly entertain people off it.”

It may seem counter-intuitive for an actor to be an introvert, but not all personalities, as opposed to popular belief, are extroverted. “I’m a huge introvert,” she says, “I spend a lot of time by myself. I enjoy my own company. My energy is sapped when I am at a party that requires me to interact with people. Being an actor, I feel that you are expected to please people. And while I inherently want to do well by everyone, I don’t want to be fake for people to like me. Maintaining an appearance can be exhausting. That’s something I have learnt to accept. Being true to yourself will give you peace.”