Anushka Sharma / Instagram/ AnushkaSharma1588

If there has been an actress who has changed the game in Bollywood, it is Anushka Sharma. She is someone who breezed into the scene, and demanded they go as per her rules. She decides what she wants to play-be it a dancer, a journalist, a wrestler or even a producer, she will do as she pleases.

If she chooses to get married at the peak of her career, she will, paying no heed to anyone saying anything at all. Perhaps that's why everyone has been waiting with bated breath since 2018, to see her onscreen once again...

At the auditions, Aditya Chopra said she was not the prettiest face on silver screen, a statement that really made her stumble before she even started but one look at her in Chopra's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and you will know how confidence looks personified. She exuded self-assurance which helped her match steps with none other than the King of Romance in her very first film.

As if debuting with SRK wasn't enough! The films that followed only escalated her sheer talent despite the fact that she herself didn't know she could act...putting her best foot forward, preparing well in advance and ensuring she hasn't left a single stone unturned.

What's more admirable is how she zoomed into production with such panache that even today everyone is looking forward to Clear Slate Filmz coming up with their next. They are recognized as a trailblazing production house, known for projects like Pari, Phillauri, Bulbbul, and Paatal Lok-stories that might have struggled to find a home elsewhere.

With business acumen hitting bullseye, in just 10 short years Anushka Sharma turned her story into a success, so let's take a look at the best from her filmography that made this 37 year old actress a force to reckon with...

Band Baaja Baaraat

With the hero-heroine walking into the sun set being almost every film's ultimate selling point, it was rather interesting when YRF decided to make a film with rank newcomers being wedding planners. Ranveer Singh's Bittu and Anushka's Shruti had no big hopes at the box office, just earnesty and a thirst to prove themselves.

The film was a super success, and while Ranveer Singh as Bittu impressed, Anushka's sharp dialogues and matter-of-fact attitude totally won her the spot for the most promising newcomer. The two looked so natural together that many mistook their reel love story for real.

PK

Ever heard of a lead actress going by the name Jagat Janani aka Jaggu! That was Anushka Sharma in PK. She took on the character in Rajkumar Hirani's satire and delivered a memorable performance, bringing depth, charm, and conviction to the role. Despite the initial criticism about her look, especially her short hairstyle and slightly altered facial appearance, she proved her versatility and strong screen presence rubbing shoulders with the very best. Her chemistry with Aamir Khan was natural and endearing, and she brought both humor and emotional weight to the narrative which is a thin line to balance.

Anushka portrayed her character with confidence and grace, standing out in a film packed with strong performances. To give her credit where it is due, PK was a gamble in terms of her being washed out by everything else that the film stood for, but she made her choice and delivered an applause worthy act.

Sultan

'Salman Khan' movies are usually out and out Bhai films. Where everything else is a prop, but Anushka Sharma doesn't play by the rules even for bhaijaan and she proved it aptly in Sultan. The film released in 2016 to packed theatres marking it one of the biggest hits of the year, a career best for Khan and through it all, Sharma made sure she had her piece of meat.

From wrestling actual wrestlers, to romancing the last Khan on her list - she did it all with this film. She might be the only Bollywood actress of her generation to have worked with all the three Khans and delivered super hits with each of them.

Anushka Sharma's portrayal of Aarfa in Sultan was the film's emotional anchor. What stood out was her ability to balance strength with vulnerability; she portrayed a woman torn between personal ambition and emotional sacrifice with remarkable nuance. Considering there were rumours that Anushka was in the same situation as Arfa, juggling between her personal life and professional life, sources close to the actress said the film remains one which is very close to her heart.

Dil Dhadakne Do

The true essence of an actor can be gauged by how well they hold up in an ensemble cast. With actors like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah - Anushka Sharma turned into a cool catalyst to watchout for in Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do.

Anushka added meat to the role by grounding Farah in fierce independence and clarity of purpose. Her self-made, driven, and unapologetic about carving her own path-qualities contrasted with other protagonists' materialistic excess and emotional dysfunctionality.

In scenes where other characters are crumbling under societal pressure, Anushka's Farah represents someone who has broken free of that, by choice. This antithesis made Anushka stand out in an otherwise small part.