When younger, Anushka Sharma would find her brother Karnesh irritating. Today, they have teamed up to create magic on screen.
Our conversation begins with some guy talk. Anushka Sharma’s brother, Karnesh, enquires about the mid-day mate. “I remember it used to be popular,” he says.
A shocked Anushka is clueless about what her brother is talking about. When told it is a photograph of a sexy girl in a bikini, she quickly says, “Why isn’t there a picture of a man too?” It’s a hot afternoon and we are at Anushka’s home in Versova. In a tete-a-tete with the siblings, who are ready with their second production Phillauri.
Your first production venture NH10 (2015) was a thriller which was critically-acclaimed. Did people approach you with scripts of the same genre?
Karnesh: Yes. It was not only newcomers, but established directors and writers as well who pitched womencentric thrillers or about a woman avenging her husband’s death.
Anushka: It’s funny because people should understand we will not make a film on the same subject again. Even as an actor, I do not. NH10 and Phillauri are such diverse films. We’re trying to create different and new content.
What comes to your mind when people say womencentric film? Do you identify with the term?
Anushka: I don’t identify with it because stories are about people. It can be a male or female protagonist. Phillauri is about a ghost; it is her love story. A woman-centric film is not always about strength, substance or fighting society. Karnesh: It is only here that we talk about woman-centric films. It doesn’t happen in Hollywood or European cinema. People are aware of telling stories with women as the protagonist; that’s why there is a debate about women-centric films.
Phillauri deals with mangliks who are considered unfavourable for marriage? Do you believe in it?
Anushka: Karnesh is a manglik and I told him to get married to a tree for the film’s promotions and he refused [laughs].
Karnesh: Not for film promotions [laughs]! On a serious note, I don’t believe in it.
Anushka, do you find your brother annoying?
Anushka: There was a time when I would get irritated, but it was when I was younger. We would complain to our parents, but today we respect and accept each other.
