Even before 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' hit theatres, Aditya Chopra knew Anushka Sharma was going to make heads turn with her debut.
There’s a popular saying in Hindi cinema—if you debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan, you are pretty much set for stardom. Deepika Padukone is obviously the biggest example of this. 'Om Shanti Om' launched her straight into the big league, and she never looked back thereafter. But hey, let’s not forget Anushka Sharma’s smashing entry with 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' either. Imagine you’re just a 20-year-old woman with no filmy background, and then you get to romance SRK, in a Yash Raj film, directed by Aditya Chopra—the man behind 'DDLJ' and 'Mohabbatein'. That’s not a debut, that’s a Bollywood jackpot! And just like that, Anushka instantly became a name to watch. It earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 54th Filmfare Awards, catapulting her to overnight stardom.
However, quite interestingly, Aditya Chopra told Anushka not to tell anyone (including her parents) about 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' until the film hit theatres. Today, on the actress's 37th birthday, let's learn about that.
Yes, director Aditya Chopra, the mastermind behind 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', turned Anushka's big break into a top-secret mission. “Everything was under wraps. Nobody knew about it, and Adi didn’t want anybody to know I was the lead actor. Adi literally said to me, ‘You can’t tell anybody. You cannot even tell your parents.’ I said, ‘Huh?’” Anushka recalled, laughing, in Netflix’s docu-series 'The Romantics'.
According to reports, Chopra was very confident about Anushka and hence wanted her to be a surprise package - a fresh face to dazzle audiences without any pre-release buzz. YRF was coming off a rough patch with multiple flops, and Chopra was banking on 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' to revive the studio’s fortunes. He chose Anushka after a massive talent hunt, believing she embodied the “small-town Punjab” vibe needed for Taani. “We were looking for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small-town Punjab. We know we have found her in Anushka,” Yash Chopra said later in an interview. By keeping her casting hush-hush, they ensured the focus stayed on the film’s story and SRK’s star power, letting Anushka’s charm sneak up on viewers like a plot twist.
(Credit: YRF)
When 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' hit theaters on December 12, 2008, it was a box-office juggernaut, grossing over Rs 1.57 billion (US$18 million) worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year overseas, as well as YRF and Khan's highest-grossing film at the time. For Anushka, it was like stepping into Bollywood with a golden ticket. Playing Taani, the vivacious bride to SRK’s shy Surinder, she won hearts despite being a newbie. The Filmfare nomination alone put her on the map, and offers started pouring in like monsoon rain. YRF signed her for a three-film deal, leading to 'Badmaash Company' with Shahid Kapoor and 'Band Baaja Baaraat' with Ranveer Singh.
(Credit: YRF)
Did you know Sonam Kapoor almost bagged Taani’s role? She was shortlisted but lost out when Aditya decided Anushka was more suitable.
Before 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' happened, Anushka auditioned for the lead actress's role in '3 Idiots'. It was eventually played by Kareena Kapoor.
The film’s script was so unique it earned a spot in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ library just a day after release—a rare honor for a Bollywood film.
Aditya Chopra
Despite some negative reviews, like Rajeev Masand’s 2/5 rating for a “flawed script,” the movie’s heartwarming vibe and SRK-Anushka chemistry made it a fan favorite. Anushka’s journey from a model to a Bollywood sensation proves that sometimes, keeping a secret can lead to a blockbuster reveal!
And Yes, Happy Birthday, Anushka.
