‘SMS’ actress Anshul Chauhan: I am not really taking a dig at Katrina

‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar in the lead roles. But, the movie also has a very interesting supporting cast which includes names like Neeraj Sood and Seema Pahwa. Well, there’s also a young and beautiful actress making her Bollywood debut with the film. We are talking about Anshul Chauhan who will be seen playing a pivotal role in the movie.

We recently interacted with Anshul and she spoke about her role in the film, the dialogue that takes a dig at Katrina Kaif, her offscreen camaraderie with Bhumi, and a lot more…

Tell us all about your role in ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’.

My character name is Ginni who is Bhumi Pednekar aka Sugandha’s best friend in the film. Unknowingly she often adds a new dimension to the problem Sugandha is going through by giving her worldly advices.

This movie is a remake of Tamil flick ‘Kalyana Samayal Saadham’. Have you seen the original one to take some inspiration from the actress who played your character in that movie?

As our director RS Prasanna says, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ is a rebirth of ‘Kalyana Samayal Saadham’ and not a remake. Their script and plot is very different, it’s just that the subject of erectile dysfunction is remains same. In fact, my character doesn’t exist in ‘KSS’. I have only watched a few scenes of the film just out of curiosity and not for inspiration or reference as the setting and characters in ‘SMS’ are totally different.

Were you not hesitant to make your Bollywood debut with a supporting role?

I was totally not hesitant to do a supporting role for this film, what mattered to me was the script and the character. And I could relate to this particular character as this film is partly set in the Delhi NCR region which is my hometown, hence I exactly knew what the makers were looking for.

You have a dialogue in the trailer where you are taking a dig at Katrina Kaif. But, do you really feel that the advertisement of Katrina sets wrong expectations for girls?

As it has turned out in the trailer, I am actually not really taking a dig at Katrina Kaif. It’s a monologue and only a part of it has been shown in the trailer. Wrong expectations have been set for girls and by whom is what I would want the audiences to find out by going to watch the film in theatres and I am sure you will also agree to what I have got to say there.

You play Bhumi’s best friend in the film. How was your camaraderie offscreen?

Bhumi is very approachable. She made me feel so comfortable around her. And we used to have good time off screen as well. I remember the time when we both were singing Bhojpuri songs on set while lights were being set. She is fun.

How did acting happen to you? Was it a childhood dream?

I have been into extra-curricular activities since childhood. It was in my college that I decided to be an actor. I studied in Kirori Mal College, DU and was a part of their dramas called ‘The Players’. And whatever I have learnt in acting I owe it all to ‘The Players’.

How did you land this role?

I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company when I was about to leave for Delhi for a cousin’s wedding. I had a day in between so I went and gave the audition. Exactly the next day I got a confirmation call. And by this I know why it said that the best things happen when you are not expecting.

As you are new in B-Town, we are sure you have a wishlist of directors and actors you want to work with…

Certain actors that I would really want to work with are Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Aamir Khan. As for the directors to name a few out of many are Anurag Kashyap, Aanand L Rai and Nitesh Tiwari.

Murtuza Iqbal

‘Eat Sleep Bollywood Repeat’ is his life Mantra. Dance is his first love and Rani Mukerji is his eternal crush. He is someone who loves being himself, and as for the ones who don’t agree, his reply? “Talk to my hand!”