‘Wedding Pullav’ – A mix of ‘Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’ and ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa’? Anushka Ranjan speaks up

Wedding Pullav releases today and marks the debut of Anushka Ranjan as the leading lady. Belonging to a film family, she gets a launchpad for herself with South star Diganth making his entry into Bollywood. In a film which is largely made of debutants, it also sees acclaimed cinematographer Binod Pradhan marking his arrival as a director. A fun film with a destination wedding set up to it, it has Anushka playing a spirited girl who discovers true love in the midst of fun, celebrations, heartbreak, music and togetherness.

Anushka, the movie seems like the coming together of Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa. Is that truly the case?
(Laughs) You know, comparisons like these are a good and a bad thing. In the promos, we have been managed to distract from the actual storyline. The songs and visuals may give a particular impression of similarities but that is not the case. The film is on the lines of friendship and love where two friends are getting married at a common destination. How friendship gets confusing is the core of it all. That said, the film is not any of the two films that you mention. (Smiles) Yes, I am hearing these comments as well but let is not jump to any conclusion before watching the film.

There seem to be different shades for you, right from being naughty to someone who falls in love.
Guess what, I was entirely on my own. I didn’t really choose or prepare for my part with my friends. If someone had an opinion then I heard that but basically all decisions are my own. See, as an actor you have to true to be your choice. You can’t ask other people. I always try to stick to my fundas and experiences. It is important for an actor to read and watch movies. I have an idea about the world and that I what I have brought into the film.

Since your parents (Shashi Ranjan and Anu Ranjan) are also from the industry, you must have got guidance from them?
Dad has always been more of a teacher. He would sit down and make me do scenes. He is very particular about diction. He would try to make me watch a lot of classic cinemas. My mother is not much as a creative person though as a personality she is very strong. When I was low, she was very supportive. At times I was overwhelmed and then I took suggestions from her. My dad would tell me a lot about acting. They both have been very supportive of me and they are the ones who pushed me towards acting. They have been very involved in my life.

You have Binod Pradhan as a director who is expected to present his actors beautifully on screen, considering his background of being a top cinematographer.
Of course. When I found out that he would be directing the film, I was thrilled. He said to me that ‘you are going to look amazing on screen’. He has made the film look so good. The DOP of the film is Gopal Shah and he has worked very closely with Binod. As a director, Binod was so fabulous. He is calm and composed. He would be joking around, pulling my legs and even going to the extent of calling me an ugly actress (smiles).