The glamorous film industry is filled with artists who fought hard to carve out a distinct identity. Yet, some celebrated stars never planned on entering the cinematic world at all, finding themselves thrust into the limelight purely by chance. A prime example of this unexpected journey is renowned South Indian actress Anushka Shetty, who initially had entirely different career aspirations before destiny steered her toward the screen.
From Yoga Studio to Film Sets
Born on November 7, 1981, in Mangaluru, Karnataka, the actress completed her Bachelor of Computer Application degree from Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru. Rather than pursuing acting, she harbored a strong desire to become a yoga expert. To fulfill this goal, she trained under well-known yoga guru Bharat Thakur and eventually began working as a yoga instructor. One day, while she was conducting a class, South film director Mehar Ramesh spotted her and offered her a lead role in a film.
Hesitation and Debut Role
Lacking any family background in the film industry and possessing no prior acting experience, Anushka initially turned down the offer. However, after persistent persuasion from the director, she ultimately decided to take a chance on acting. Her debut film, titled 'Super', was released in 2005 and directed by Puri Jagannadh, featuring her alongside actor Nagarjuna.
The Story Behind the Name Change
Few know that the actress was not originally named Anushka, but was actually called Sweety Shetty. During the production of her early project, director Puri Jagannadh and producer Nagarjuna concluded that the name Sweety might not resonate strongly with moviegoers. Consequently, they decided to adopt a screen name, and after careful thought, the name Anushka was finalized.
Thoughts of Quitting Early On
After completing her first couple of projects, Anushka briefly contemplated walking away from the film industry altogether, a fact she herself revealed in an interview. However, her fortunes shifted in 2006 when she worked in S.S. Rajamouli's film 'Vikramarkudu', which finally established her identity in Telugu cinema. Following this breakthrough, she delivered notable performances in hits like 'Don', 'King', 'Shouryam', and 'Billa'.
The Baahuabli Turning Point
Her career reached unprecedented heights with the release of 'Baahuabli: The Beginning' in 2015 and 'Baahuabli: The Conclusion' in 2017. Director S.S. Rajamouli personally called her to cast her in the iconic role of Devasena, an offer she could not refuse, and the monumental success of the epic films proved to be a major turning point in her illustrious career.
