Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has explained to the media that the drunken scene which Anushka Sharma enacts in his latest film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola was authentic and done without any consumption of alcohol. Mr Bhardwaj was forced to make a statement after rumours emerged that Anushka apparently delayed one day’s shooting of the film as she was drunk on the sets. In addition, a second rumour emerged that she had supposedly performed the famous drunk scene in the film whilst under the actual influence of alcohol.
Here is what Mr Bhardwaj said in a statement in order to prove that the rumours are false. “Anushka is a very professional actor and has done a very difficult ‘drunk’ scene opposite Pankaj Kapur in a completely sober state and no shoot was delayed because of her.” Anushka not only stood her ground against experienced actor like Pankaj Kapur but also delivered a nuanced performance way beyond her age and experience.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola released in cinemas last Friday and received mixed reviews from the critics. In the film, Anushka plays the role of Bijlee, the daughter of Harry Mandola (Pankaj Kapoor), who is an alcoholic industrialist. The film also stars Imran Khan and Shabana Azmi and is the first big Bollywood release of 2013.
