Mystery #7
This concerns the beginning of your career, and of course Aditya Chopra, who you auditioned for, and got the big break, with Rab De Banade Jodi, that released in 2008. Does Aditya Chopra really exist?

Anushka: (Laughs) I didn’t even know he was a mystery, when I first met him. When I told my brother I was going to meet this guy, Aditya Chopra, he was like, “Are you crazy? Do you know who you’re going to meet, the director of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayange!” This sense (of anticipation) only made me nervous. But he was very warm and normal, not intimidating at all. Even as a businessman, there is a certain fairness and integrity he brings to his company. As a mentor, he’s always given me the freedom to choose the film I want to, and say no when I want to. And I have said no to him. He’s never taken it to heart, only encouraged me to be this way.

What sort of filmmaker doesn’t show up for his own film’s trailer launch (Befikre in Paris)?
Anushka: I guess he sees himself as a filmmaker, or director. His job is to make films. I understand his point of view completely. If I wasn’t an actor, I would have been like Aditya Chopra.