Anushka Shetty Biography

Anushka Shetty works predominantly in Tollywood and few films in Tamil Film Industries. Born in Puttur, Karnataka, to Tuluva parents, she made her acting debut with the Telugu action-heist film Super directed by Puri Jagannadh in 2005. She starred opposite Nagarjuna. Though the film was an average grosser at the box-office, she was recognized by other filmmakers for her cool performance. Anushka did her schooling in Bangalore and obtained her Bachelor‘s degree in Bangalore. She was also a yoga instructor, trained under Bharat Thakur.

Anushka Shetty Career

Anushka Shetty as School Teacher and Yoga Teacher

Anushka had learnt Yoga from noted instructor, Bharat Thakur. She met Thakur while she was in college.  Before taking up to modeling and acting, Anushka had extensively learnt yoga under Bharat Thakur and eventually went on to become a yoga instructor. She taught Yoga in Mumbai. Anushka’s yoga aspirations took a backseat once she entered the world of glitz and glamour. Also, she worked as a teacher for primary students (3rd class) in the Eastwood High School, Bangalore.

Anushka Shetty Foray into Films

Super is her debut film. She was introduced to the Telugu movies by Puri Jagannadh after a recommendation by Bharath Thakur. As the name Sweety sounded strange and different, she decided to come up with a different name. She went through books containing names for newborn kids, sat for hours and finally came up with the name Anushka (Anushka means lightning). She was paired opposite Nagarjuna in that average grosser. She was praised for her glamour. After ‘Super’, Anushka acted opposite Sumanth in Mahanandi. Though Anuskha started with films that are average at best, she got her first big success in 2006. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli, the Ravi Teja and Anushka starrer Vikramarkudu was one of the biggest films of the year. Her other starring film in 2006 was Asthram opposite Manchu Vishnu. She made her foray into Tamil movies with Rendu directed by Sunar C. She shared the screen with Madhavan and Reemma Sen. Later that year she made a cameo in Mega Star Chiravjeevi’s Stalin.

2007 saw Anushka in two films, Lakshyam opposite Gopichand, and Don opposite Nagarjuna. Lakshyam was recorded at box-office as super hit, while Don flopped. She acted in five films as lead lady in 2008, and appeared in a special song in Nagarjuna’s King. While Okka Magaadu, Baladur flopped, Swagatham and Chintakayala Ravi did average business. Shouryam was her sole hit film in that year.

Anushka Shetty Blockbuster Success and Fame

Anushka created ripples in Tollywood with her first blockbuster, Arundhati, in 2009. This film was produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy, and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna was a landmark film in her career by proving that she can carry a film on her shoulders. This paved way for heroine-oriented films for her. After Arundhati, Anushka upped her glamour quotient in Billa. This Prabhas (in a dual role), and Krishnam Raju starrer was an above average performer at box-office and cemented Anushka as one of the top heroines of Tollywood.

2010 saw Anushka star in the highest number of films in her career. She paired with Mahesh Babu for the first time in Khaleja. Though this Trivikram Srinivas film, Khaleja, flopped, Anushka was praised for her performance, and the film became a cult classic. She worked for the first of the Singham series film, Singham opposite Suriya. The film was a blockbuster. In director Krish’s Vedam she acted as a commercial sex worker. Critics heaped praise on Anuskha for her powerful performance. She reprised the role in Tamil remake of the film, Vaanam. She next starred in Panchakshari, Nagavalli and Ragada. Panchakshari gave her another heroine oriented role, and in Nagavalli she acted as Chandramukhi. It was a remake of Kannada super hit, Aapta Rakshaka. In Ragada she paired with Nagarjuna for the third time.

In 2011, Anushka landed a role in Chiyaan Vikram’s Deiva Thirumagal (Nanna in Telugu) directed by A. L. Vijay. The film was both critically and commercially successful. After that, she had a cameo in Karthi’s Saguni (Sakuni in Telugu). In 2012, after moderately successful Thaandavam (again in the combination of A. L. Vijay and Vikram), Anushka scored success with Damarukam, her 4th pairing with Nagarjuna.

Anushka started 2013 with Alex Pandian opposite Karthi. Mirchi, where Anushka paired with Prabhas for the second time, became a blockbuster, and with Singham – 2 she continued her success streak. She starred alongside Arya in the experimental Tamil film, Irandaam Ulagam with indifferent result. Lingaa, Rajnikanth’s star vehicle, failed both critically and commercially.

Anushka Shetty in Baahubali, National Acclaim, and Continued Success

Anushka started 2015 on a positive note with the success of Gautam Menon’s Yennai Arindhaal opposite Ajith Kumar, and she went from strength to strength as the year moved. Promoted as India’s biggest film, Baahubali - The Beginning saw Anushka portray Devasena. With this S. S. Rajamouli’s epic, she gained national and international recognition. Her performance was praised by both the audience and critics. Devasena is one of the greatest characters in Indian film history. Anushka made it even more memorable. The film became the first South Indian film to cross Rs. 600 crores, and the third highest grossing Indian film. Ten minutes of her screen presence in Baahubali is one of her landmark roles. This is Anushka’s third pairing with Prabhas.

Rudhramadevi, historical drama, helped enhance her reputation as an actor to be reckoned with. Anushka’s career reached the pinnacle with the praise for her dedication towards the character and acting prowess in Size Zero. Though commercially that film failed, Anushka ended her Annus Mirabilis on a high note. After a long time, any South Indian actress attained such fame as Anushka.

Anushka had a cameo appearance in Nagarjuna’s 2016 Sankranthi release Soggade Chinni Nayana. Anushka and Nagarjuna gave memorable few minutes to the festive audience. She had another cameo in Nagarjuna-Karthi film Oopiri by Vamsi Paidipally. 

In 2017, Anushka reprised the role of Kavya in Suriya- director Hari’s third installment of Singham series, Si-3, a commercial success. She had a performance oriented role in K. Raghavendra Rao film, Om Namo Venkatesaya. She gained critical acclaim for her character Krishnamma, alongside Nagarjuna’s protagonist.

Then came the most awaited Indian film of the twenty-first century, Baahubali – The Conclusion. Anushka not only reached sky-high expectations created by Baahubali – The Beginning, she went beyond to another level with her performance as Princess Devasena. She proved her role in the first film to be just a preview. Her scenes in combination with Ramya Krishnan were some of the best face/offs. Critics commented her chemistry with Prabhas worked big time, and she stood tall among the stalwart cast of Baahubali. She became the only heroine to work twice or more with S. S. Rajamouli. All three Anushka-Rajamouli films became biggest successes in their respective careers. Baahubali- The Conclusion became the first Indian film to gross Rs. 1000 crore, and the highest grossing Indian film in India.

Anushka Shetty after Baahubali

Being the most critically acclaimed actress of her generation, Anushka Shetty is choosing her roles with caution and care. In 2018, she is coming up with title role of Bhaagamathie tri-lingual film directed by G. Ashok. Presently the film is undergoing post-production, and is going to be released on 26th January 2018. She is going to work on a multi-lingual project in the direction of Gautham Menon.

Anushka Shetty Education

Most of Anushka's education was completed in Karnataka. She did her schooling in Bangalore, and her college studies included Mount Carmel College and SRSIT where she finished her graduation in Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA).

Personality of Anushka Shetty

One of the most respected South Indian actresses of all time, Anushka gained widespread critical acclaim. Initially, she was noted for her beauty, but she quickly proved her mettle as an actress, and within a decade she became the most acclaimed actress of her generation. Known for her friendly nature, and work ethic, Anushka is well liked by her contemporaries. More recently, Unni Mukundan, her co-star in the upcoming Bhaagamathie, called her a beautiful soul. She was a loyal friend to Nagarjuna, who introduced her and acted as godfather. She appeared in multiple cameos in his films. Anushka and Nagarjuna are the most successful pairings in 21st century Telugu cinema.  She maintains close relationship with the Rajamouli family. In fact, she is the only heroine to appear in two or more Rajamouli films.

An actress of stature, Anushka is hailed as an apt choice for regal roles. In Arundhati, Baahubali, and Rudhramadevi her presence and performances are well acclaimed. At 5 feet and 9 inch, Anushka stood tall among her contemporaries both literally and figuratively. Her personality and screen presence are unmatched.

She is a hardworking individual and passionate performer. This can be seen with the amount of hard work and dedication she put for the film Size Zero. She chose to put on 20 kilos instead of choosing an easier way out by donning a bodysuit. And for Bhaagamathie, she lost about 15 kilos. She does homework for every character she takes up.

She is known for her kindness and compassion for those working for her. She worked in Panchakshari produced by her makeup man Bommadevara Ramachandra Rao.

Anushka attained Pan-India popularity after Baahubali duology, and gained numerous fans across various states.

Rumors About Anushka Shetty

Anushka and Prabhas are rumored to be in love. Many gossips circulated by media. Despite that, both of them skipped commenting. There are rumours of Prabhas and Anushka being ‘more than just friends’. Fans wish to see them together so much, that there are more fan clubs dedicated to the two of them, than any of Bollywood’s rumored couples. Recently The Hans India newspaper quoted a Dubai based film critic saying that Anushka and Prabhas are going to marry. Fans are curious who is the lucky guy to be Anushka husband?

Anushka Shetty Brand Endorsements

In addition to films, Anushka also endorses select brands.  She was the Brand Ambassador for MBS Jewelers, Pondicherry Sri Lakshmi Jewelry, The Chennai Silks, Head & Shoulders, Dabur Amla Hair Oil, R. S. Brothers Textiles. She has also endorsed the Colgate brand in Tamil and Telugu alongside Allu Arjun. She promoted Intex Mobiles. Being a top actress, and fan favorite, Anushka is one of the highest paid celebrities for brand endorsements.

Awards Won by Anushka Shetty

An actress of high caliber, Anushka won numerous awards since Arundhati. Some of them are listed below