Anuya - the only Maharashtrian after Rajanikanth to star in director Shankar's film

She has the eyes that can kill but mind you, can heal a million souls! Her smile may remind you of Madhuri Dixit but her versatility as a female lead in Tamil films may evoke memories of Vidya Balan. Mumbai girl Anuya Bhagwat is beginning 2012 with the biggest and the best names in Tamil cinema in ‘Robot’ director Shankar’s next film, ‘Nanban’, the Tamil remake of Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots’. She is the only Maharashtrian after superstar Rajanikanth to act in ace director Shankar’s film.      

During the music launch of the film held in Coimbatore, Anuya was the only actress to share the dais with Tamil superstars such as Vijay, Jeeva, Srikanth, Satyan and Satyaraj. The journey of Anuya’s rise to the top began with ‘Siva Manasula Shakti’ (SMS), a romantic comedy where she was a vivacious RJ. She was nominated as the best debutante for ‘SMS’. She moved on to an action thriller ‘Madurai Sambavam’, where she plays an encounter specialist and also the villain of the film. Then came crime drama ‘Nagaram’ with yesteryears actress Khushboo’s husband Sundar C, where she portrays a vulnerable film dancer. And she has achieved the rare distinction of acting in iconic director Shankar’s film having just done just 3 films before it whereas many others only dream about it.

Multifaceted actress Anuya says, “On the first day of Nanban’s shoot, Shankar Sir appreciated my performance in my debut film SMS and this appreciation was greater than any other award that I could have won! No wonder he cast me for this important performance based role without any audition. It’s a great privilege to be part of the film and the climax of Shankar Sir’s most eagerly awaited blockbuster of this year. I’m sure Nanban will be a turning point in my life.”

Talking about her rare distinction of being the only Maharashtrian after superstar Rajanikanth to make it big in Tamil films, Anuya says, “Rajanikanth Sir, who started his career with strong characterizations and went on to be a superstar, is an icon I look upto. I am a novice compared to him but am proud that I have the same Maharashtrian origins as Rajinikanth and have also worked in director Shankar’s film.”

“Today, there is tremendous scope for strong female characters and women-centric roles. I like to challenge myself with varied characters and surprise audiences and myself. Being highly versatile, I don’t like to get stuck in a groove or a mould but would like to explore, evolve and experiment. I believe glamour is also characterization as much as a realistic portrayal,” Anuya adds.

From a bubbly RJ in my debut film ‘SMS’ to shooting all the men of the hero’s family in my second film ‘Madurai Sambavam’ to being an ‘abla naari’ (helpless woman and a cowardly victim of circumstances) in her third film, Anuya has played it all.    

Part of the first batch of the revival course at FTII, Anuya has honed her skills in multiple ways. During her FTII days, Anuya did CFSI’s feature film ‘Mahek’, which got screened at the London Film Festival and won the best feature film at Arpa and Houston Film Festival and is now part of Ottenbein University, Ohio’s syllabus. She also played diverse roles including that of a prostitute and a widow.

Anuya is an accomplished dancer with a flair for western, Latin American and Ballroom dancing.  She is a blue belt in Karate and done her NCC course in her desire to become a pilot. She has represented college in singing.