Nushrat Bharucha discusses post-lockdown plans on 35th b’day
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 19, 2020)

On Sunday, Nushrat Bharucha brought in her 35th birthday amidst the lockdown. “I sat by my window in pyjamas with my cat and plants for almost four hours and enjoyed every minute of it. It was different but peaceful,” says the actress, who normally rings in her special day doing “things I love with people I love”. Then, Nushrat being Nushrat, got her close friends on a video call and they watched her dance for two hours before calling it a night. “After that, my mom and my cat joined in, and we danced till 4 am,” she laughs.

Along with two birthday cakes and her mother’s special pulao, Nushrat received a video message from her family and industry friends, including Varun Dhawan and Ayushmann Khurrana, his wife Tahira Kashyap and brother Aparshakti Khurana. “I had no clue all this was happening behind my back. I shot the video of my parents and thought my family was planning a birthday video. I was so surprised, I had to watch it again to be able to react to it,” she admits.

Ask the actress how she sees the rest of the year panning out, and Nushrat is clueless again.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has created a deep-rooted fear in all of us, and as much as I’d like for things to go back to normal, the situation is too unpredictable to think about anything,” she reasons, pointing out that her make-up artist has moved to dubbing and a friend who used to work in a beauty parlour has started a dabba service in order to stay on top of bills.

Any alternative job for her? “I haven’t thought about it, but I should. And there is a big difference in what I want to do and what I can do in this situation,” she avers. So, what will she do once the lockdown ends? Nushrat, who can’t even imagine going out, quips, “I think I’ll probably still be at home, poring over the guidelines. Even if someone tells me I can go somewhere now, I don’t think I’ll be able to.”

Sonil Dedhia (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 17, 2020)

“From the time I remember, my birthdays have always been big celebrations with all my friends and family and I’ve always been out of home,” says Nushrat Bharucha, who turns 30 today. While the lockdown is still in effect, she says it won’t affect her plans for a nice celebration. “I’ve always started celebrating a day prior. I would have a party and spend time with people I love, from sunrise, and end it on the next sunrise. I am going to try doing the same, but at home. I plan to party with my family. My mother and I will bake a cake, make some nice food and enjoy the day. I’ll remember this birthday for a lifetime,” she shares.

Bharucha describes her life in the lockdown as a period of “self reflection”. “Life has taken a complete turn. We were living a certain way and thought things are going to be like this forever. I don’t think it’s going to be like that any time soon. We all need to reset and think about what is going to be our new normal after the Coronavirus pandemic. I am blessed that I have a family together with me and my extended family across the world is safe,” she says.

But the actor says that she isn’t struggling with the new routine. “The idea of getting stuck at one place isn’t frustrating me. I wish we could have a house help, but I don’t have any complaints. Once I wake up, most of my day is spent doing household chores. In fact, I feel that I have taken up responsibilities. But I am worried about what life is going to be like once the lockdown opens and I don’t think anyone has the answer to that,” she concludes.

The actress, who wrote her first verses while on a flight a few years ago, recently overcome initial apprehensions to share her work with the world
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2020)

Almost a decade after becoming an actress, Nushrat Bharucha is ready to share another one of her talents with the world. On World Poetry Day last month, she posted one of her compositions on Instagram, “Tum jaisi aadat chhod bhi doon... Khud ko khote hue hi sahi...Jhooth ki aankh mein hans bhi doon...Sach pehchaante hue hi sahi... Saath hone ka ehsaas dila do agar... Woh nazar humaare naam kar do agar... Sab se churaate hue hi sahi... ”

Nushrat reveals that she has been writing for around three years now and has all the verses saved on her phone. “Initially, I didn’t know if they were any good, so I was wary of posting them. I am very sensitive and shy about my writing,” she says, admitting that it was the encouragement of her poet-friends, including Dream Girl co-actor Ayushmann Khurrana, that gave her the courage to put out some of her couplets online, starting with one on Valentine’s Day and another on Women’s Day. “My confidence is building up with each one,” she laughs.

The actress admits that she was nervous about audience reaction. “I know that shayaris speak only to a few people, that’s why I am taking baby steps,” says Nushrat, adding that she writes inbetween work. “My work requires me to travel a lot. Once, on a flight, everyone around was either reading or watching films and shows. That’s when I started writing. Strangely, all my poems have been written on flights.”

Her grandfather was a shayar and her aunt has inherited his talent, too. “Around three years ago, I made my aunt read some of my writings to get a book of hers so that I could improve my Urdu. I sat by a window, watching her, as she read them. She gave me the book without a comment on my work and my heart sank,” Nushrat reminisces, admitting that in retrospect, she realises it was a good move. “We’re close and if my aunt had said something, I wouldn’t have been able to find my own way and reach here today; she was my first audience.”

The actress is happy to be with her family during lockdown. She chats with her grandmother over coffee in the morning and naps post lunch. “That’s a family ritual, even my cat sleeps in the afternoon,” she chuckles. After that, it’s time to organise her cupboard. Sometimes, she has late-night conversations with her dadi about ghazals.

Nushrat is also honing another talent-colouring. “I can’t draw or paint, but I love colours. So, I’ve bought an adult colouring book. It helps me switch off while being creative. It’s a great way to combat stress as the colouring is intricate,” she informs, admitting that she couldn’t go to the gym in the evenings but has now started working out over video calls with her trainer.

Her next film, Chhalaang, was to release in March, so she hadn’t given dates to any other films in that period. “We were planning to shoot Hurdang in March, but seeing the Coronavirus spread, it was put on hold,” she recounts, adding that she decided early into the pandemic to not go outside Mumbai and consequently, had to let go of many offers.

Chhalaang reunites her with Rajkummar Rao; both started their careers with Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD). “After LSD, I was shooting for Pyaar Ka Punchnama in Delhi and Raj for another film. We promised each other that we’d work together again soon. When Chhalaang started, it felt surreal as it took us 10 years to live out our dream,” she signs off.

Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 11, 2020)

There wasn’t a trace of uneasiness in her when Nushrat Bharucha walked the red carpet at a recent event flaunting a pelvage dress — an ensemble that had a slit higher than the thigh-high routine. In this pursuit of “bringing sexy back” in Bollywood, the actor wasn’t only oozing oomph, but also a lot of confidence. The bold style statement she flaunted, won her compliments as well as some brickbats. However, Nushrat remains unperturbed.

“We have freedom of speech in our country. So, whatever anyone feels, they can put it out. But just like they’ve their opinion, what I want to wear is my right,” says Nushrat to the critics. She is happy that some fraternity members reached out, saying, “We’d never be able to do this, great that you could carry this off.”

The one-shoulder gown that gave a view of Nushrat’s intimate tattoo, made her feel nice and confident. “I did it for myself. I didn’t think people are going to praise me, or it will become the talk of the town. I wore a dress, attended the function, had fun, came home. I don’t get bothered at all. I don’t read the comments. I just put it out there and leave it,” adds the 34-year-old actor, who believes this confidence of being comfortable in one’s own skin is a result of her evolution in Bollywood.

This evolution, according to the Dream Girl (2019) actor, is “knowing who you are and what you’re trying to be”. “If this dress didn’t fit well or fall right, I wouldn’t be wearing it. It had nothing to do with how bold it was. If it didn’t look good on me, I would not have not worn it,” she explains.

Fashion, for Nushrat, is an extension of what she wants to express and it changes along with her mood. “When I put this dress on, I was comfortable in it, and that’s why I was able to carry it off. I knew what I was wearing, and I had to be careful,” adds the actor, who had grooved to the Chhote Chhote Peg song in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) wearing a skirt with a slit almost as high as this head-turning dress.

“The toughest part to wear any ensemble at a red carpet, are the heels because the next day, my legs are in severe pain. And all these long gowns are made to a certain length, and even if I wouldn’t want to wear high heels, I don’t have an option,” she continues, “And the easiest part is to own it. Once you own the outfit, everything becomes easy. If you wear an outfit and you cannot own it, my advice is don’t wear it. For me, the easiest part of this outfit was that I owned it from the minute I stepped out of the door to the time I was back... But, toughest part were the heels.”

As told to Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 31, 2020)

Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD) happened to me the way Farhan Akhtar’s character lands his first film in Luck by Chance. I had auditioned for the film, but someone else got the part. However, the girl who was initially cast as Shruti dropped out very close to the shoot and they needed someone quickly, someone who would not only resemble the character but was also available. They called asking if I was still willing to do the film and I said “yes”. After seeing me at the office, Atul Mongia, my performance supervisor, told Dibakar (Banerjee, director) that there was something about me that even I wasn’t aware of, but which would work for them. He asserted that I would be a “revelation”. I had no clue that they were unsure about me initially.

Since I was a last-minute addition, I got only 10 days for a workshop while the rest of the cast got a month or two to prep. In those 10 days, all Dibakar wanted me to understand was which part of the title I represented, and that the definition of love wasn’t the same for all of us. My first shot was my introduction scene, when I go to audition for Rahul, the amateur film director played by Anshuman Jha. Even though Shruti ends up falling in love and eloping with him, only to become a victim of honour-killing, Dibakar wanted me to act like I am disinterested in him. That surprised me, but he explained that it was his way of portraying romance in that scene. If I did it my way, it would have come across like a Shah Rukh Khan love story, which LSD wasn’t.

Since in the film, it was my first time facing a movie camera, Dibakar wanted me to be white-faced, like I’d seen a ghost, with a forced smile. He pointed out that camera is very daunting for some people and he wanted me to look pale and scared. During the workshop, he made me emote each scene differently to set a template.

My character is a part of a gang of students making a small-budget documentary. I was the heroine of the film within the film. We started off with the song “Mohabbat Bollywood Style”. Everybody was on the set on the first day, as it was a wide-angle shot. It felt like a mela to me. I had only met five-six people during the workshop, so seeing so many people at once in Film City studio was intimidating. I felt lost in the crowds, too nervous to ask anyone if I should get on the bus and stand or sit there. Eventually we were told to climb atop a bus and just “freak out”. There was no set choreography, it was just mad dancing to ’90s music on a 360-degree stage.

I didn’t have to really act because I had no idea where the camera was and who was filming me. That was the most daunting yet interesting part of LSD. In my case, the camera was handheld as the boy I’m in love with is also the director of the film we are shooting. So, if he moved his hand even slightly, I was out of the frame and you could only hear my voice. Even if I was giving my best shot, I didn’t know if the camera was capturing it.

Since my first day was so hectic, the rest of the shoot seemed comparatively easier. It was like I was thrown into the fire on my first day itself. LSD was a great experience and I learned to perform internally, not just for the camera. It was like going to an acting school for me.

Pooja Sharma (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 10, 2019)

Nushrat Bharucha feels blessed to be part of her last hit Dream Girl for the sheer response it received. After two back-to-back hits, the actor says she is glad that these films came her way and that filmmakers are now seeing her fit into different roles. “For me, it’s about experiencing the whole gamut of emotions on screen,” says the actor who doesn’t want to limit her creative choices. Excerpts from an interview:

After the success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) and Dream Girl, what’s next? Do you like to chalk out a plan?
My next is Turram Khan. I don’t think I tried to chalk out my path. Thankfully, there was a greater plan laid out for me. I just followed the voice inside me, and did my work with utmost dedication. So, if a film does well then everyone benefits from it, and if doesn’t do well then you are happy that it came from a place of absolute purity when you made it.

Do you read reviews, and consider suggestions mentioned in the reviews?
Of course! Not all but some I do. I like reading and listening to people, and what they are saying about me. It gives me scope to see what better I can do, because eventually, films are for people. I want to see what works for them and what doesn’t.

Going forward, will your focus remain on commercial entertainers or would you try your hand at indie cinema as well?
I won’t differentiate between the two. For me, the job is the same as an actor. I like to do roles which are interesting and challenge me. I love to work with people who love to work, and if that vibe is there then I enjoy the process even more.

Do you now feel ready to do a solo lead film?
A film is the responsibility of everyone involved in the making. For me, the film and the story will always be bigger than me. As an actor, my responsibility is to make the best contribution from my side so that the film achieves its results. I look at it differently than other people do.

You spoke about going through depression recently. How did you deal with that phase?
I dealt with the low phase by taking one day at a time. It was about accepting to yourself that you are down and out. Once you accept it, you are able to put everything in place and approach it better. I also had the realisation and the knowledge that this will change and it’s just the way my life is right now, whether it is work or personal — that is bringing me down. But it’s about the understanding that it’s [the phase] temporary, and I will get through it. I started each day knowing the day will end and tomorrow will be a new day. I had hope that something will change, and I will get out of this, and that kept me going. One should speak about these things if not to the whole world, just one person. You don’t have to share your deepest, darkest emotions but just talk about your day. Being in touch helps.

Nushrat Bharucha is in Thailand for her best friend’s bachelorette with a gang of five girls
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2019)

Riding high on the success of her recently released film, Dream Girl, Nushrat Bharucha is currently in Thailand for the bachelorette of her best friend, Shrushti. It’s a 10-day hen trip with a gang of five who make it a point to travel together once a year. The actress will be back in the Bay on Sunday.

“I explored the islands around Phuket in the first seven days. We stayed at a resort in Coconut Village Island and it was a 20-minute boat ride to the islands,” informs Nushrat, admitting that she’s not an ‘itinerary person’ and prefers to explore remote places on her own rather than the usual tourist destinations. At the mainland, they sampled the local cuisine and checked out the coffee shops, but the real attraction was the old town in Phuket. “We have been partying every single night. Shrushti, who’s been my best friend for a decade, gets married in November,” she reveals. Any memories she can share? “I’m doing crazy things every single night, but I am not going to tell that to anybody,” she laughs.

Prod her for details and she says that her group has a rule: Nobody is allowed to sleep during the holiday. “The trips are so hectic that I need a week to relax on returning to Mumbai. The days are spent on the beach, riding the waves and indulging in water sports. We have dinner at a nice place, then go bar hopping. We get back at 5 am, sleep for two hours, then it’s an early breakfast,” she rattles off.

Basking in all the love and appreciation Dream Girl is getting, Nushrat is now gearing up for the release of Hansal Mehta’s next, Turram Khan, featuring Rajkummar Rao. “We just have a couple days of patch work left. Then, there’s a film that would be announced by the year-end. It will start in early 2020. Sorry, I can’t give details right now,” she signs off on an enigmatic note.

Nushrat Bharucha on taking up roles that don’t work ‘for a heroine’s image’, an alleged tiff with Kartik Aaryan and why she needs to get out of Mumbai for a bit
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2019)

After playing the female lead in the Luv Ranjan-directed 2018 release, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Nushrat Bharucha will be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in Raaj Shaandilyaa’s directorial debut, Dream Girl. In the comedy-of-errors, everyone is smitten by the male lead’s feminine alter ego Pooja and her voice.

Ask her if she did a double take before signing the film as the dream girl here is not her but the leading man and the actress says, “I took on a film like Pyaar Ka Punchnama and its sequel, in which I am the villain. Nobody wanted to do that role as it doesn’t work for a heroine’s image. I did it twice. Then, Sonu Ke… happened and in it, I am openly saying that I am not the heroine but the villain. My cinematic sensibility vis-a-vis my role depends on the film in question. If it is interesting, I will be a part of it.”

She describes her co-star as “chilled out” and her director as a “joke box” who “would crack jokes from behind the monitor all the time.” Another highlight for Nushrat was recreating the iconic Marathi track “Dhagala Lagali” for the film. Before shooting for the song, the actress called her stylist, saying that she wanted to recreate Madhuri Dixit’s “Humko Aaj Kal Hai” look from the 1990 film Sailaab. “I had wanted to do something like that ever since I saw it as a child. Then, I heard Riteish (Deshmukh) was coming on board and the song became even better as I am his fan,” she smiles.

There had been reports that she had had a falling out with Kartik Aaryan, her co-star in the Pyaar Ka Punchnama films, Akaash Vani and Sonu Ke Teetu Ki Sweety. “Aisa kuch bhi nahin hai,” she asserts, adding, “But I don’t blame people as we did too many films together early on in our careers. When you are working with someone for that long, you end up hanging out with them extensively, for readings and rehearsals. When you move on to another project, you are spotted with different people. It’s not like our equation has changed. I am sure we will work together again,” she says.

Buzz is, she has come on-board Luv Ranjan’s next, which reportedly features Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. “They are all rumours and speculations, and nothing officially has been put out. The only thing they have announced is that Ajay (Devgn) sir, Ranbir and Luv sir are doing something together. I would like to leave it at that,” she asserts.

After the release of her new film, Nushrat will go on a vacation. “One of my close friends is getting married, so six-seven of us girls are taking off to some island in Thailand for her bachelorette by September-end. I went to Australia in March but in the last few months, I have worked so much that I think I need to get out for a while,” she signs off.

Smita Poojary (DNA; August 16, 2019)

Nushrat Bharucha is extremely happy with the response to the trailer of her upcoming movie, Dream Girl. The rom-com primarily revolves around Ayushamann Khurrana; but Nushrat says, “Though he is everybody’s dream girl in the film, I’m his. So, the whole story is about him trying to win me over and be with me while other people are trying to get to him.” The Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 actress chats with After Hrs about the kind of movies she was offered post-Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, her future projects and clears the air about being part of Luv Ranjan’s next project with Ranbir Kapoor and Ajay Devgn.

Ayushmann is the toast of B-Town right now. How was it working with him?
Oh, amazing! Even before both his films (Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho) came out, Dream Girl was locked. I had seen his early works and after watching his debut, Vicky Donor, I was amazed. He is just so natural and endearing without doing much on screen. Somehow, he does it with every character and it is refreshing to watch him. So, I wanted to work with him even before these two movies came out. He is extremely funny and is always up to something.

You have mainly played urban and stylish characters, and in this movie, you play a small-town girl next door. How was this change for you?
I have always got roles that are a little different from a regular heroine’s. At that time, nobody wanted to do them but I did. Now, writers and directors say that they have not seen me in simple, pretty girl-next-door characters, and want to give me such parts. I’m like, sure. Actually, more than me, people want to see me doing different things.

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety proved to be a game-changer for you. Did you find any difference in the kind of projects you were offered post the movie?
Yeah. I literally went on to play an anti-heroine. I think I have become a little more approachable for makers if they want to tell a different kind of a story. Maybe that’s why my three upcoming films are completely different from one another.

You are also working with Rajkummar Rao in Turram Khan...
Raj and I have been friends for years; we started together in LSD (Love Sex Aur Dhokha). It was like meeting an old friend and working together after so many years when we are at different points in our careers. We are wiser, calmer and both at a great place in life.

What made you do a special song with Sidharth Malhotra in Marjaavaan? Would you be doing more such numbers?
Music is my absolute weakness. Whenever I hear a song, in my head, I wish I could perform to it. We were at a party and the makers of the song said they were doing this track with the boys and looking for a girl and I said I would do it. If I like the songs, I’d be more than happy to do them in future.

There are rumours of you being part of Luv Ranjan’s next with Ranbir Kapoor and Ajay Devgn...
They are rumours. There are reports about every film that’s announced, but the truth can only come from the people making it.

What next in store for you?
After Dream Girl, you will see me in Turram Khan, after which I will be seen in Hurdang with Sunny Kaushal and Vijay Varma. It is a love story set in the ’90s, which will come out next year.

The duo’s love story plays out against the backdrop of caste-based reservations; actress has another film that opens a window to the life of students in Haryana
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 16, 2019)

On June 19, it was announced that Nushrat Bharucha and Sunny Kaushal are teaming up for a love story titled Hurdang and the duo will start shooting from the first week of July. Now, Mirror has learnt that the film is set against the backdrop of the Mandal Commission agitation that rocked Delhi in the ’90s, and its impact on students. Confirming the news, Nushrat says, “Yes, the protagonists are leading a normal life when they are caught in the situation. Delhi had come to a standstill back then with students taking to the streets to fight against reservations based on caste.”

The ChaMandal Commission or the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC) was established on January 1, 1979 under then Prime Minister Morarji Desai with a mandate to “identify the socially or educationally backward classes of India”. Headed by the late BP Mandal, the Commission’s report recommended that members of Other Backward Classes (OBC) be granted reservations to 27 per cent of jobs under the central government and public sector undertakings, thus taking the total number of reservations for SC, ST and OBC to 49 per cent. Though the report was tabled in 1983, it was when VP Singh was the PM that the government declared its intention to implement the report in August 1990, leading to widespread student protests, with some cases of self-immolation too.

Prod Nushrat on the meaning of the film’s title and she explains that Hurdang means “raising your voice or causing a stir”, pointing out that in the film the stir is caused by asking questions that shake up one’s thought process and ideology. “Reservations in admission hit the future plans of the characters for a six because it leaves colleges with only a certain number of seats,” she explains.

After the Pyaar Ka Punchnama Franchise and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, this would be the first time Nushrat is doing a film set in a decade gone by. “But I have always been a ’90s kid in that I love to dance and listen to the songs from that time so I could easily connect with the story and character,” she smiles. “The love story is very different from the romance you saw in films back then which was one of the reasons to do the film. My character is the biggest rebel, she’s like a culture shock who’s found a perfect partner in Sunny’s character who lets her be the way she is. The purity of their love is that they can be who they are with each other.”

Last year, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety proved to be a game changer for Kartik Aaryan and Nushrat. Talking about life after the romcom, she says, “After SKTKS, I have the opportunity to do the kind of work I want to do. While after the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series, I was stereotyped as the nagging girlfriend, now, I am being offered different roles.”

Next up: Dream Girl, opposite Ayushmann Khurrana, a sweet and simple love story with a strong social message in the comic space. Then, Hansal Mehta’s Turram Khan with Rajkummar Rao that is a window to the life of students in Haryana.

Nushrat Bharucha says decision to work with Ayushmann in Dream Girl, and Rajkummar in Turram Khan, had little to do with their BO acclaim
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 3, 2019)

Asked about the subject that her next, Dream Girl, would dabble in, Nushrat Bharucha indulges us in a play of words. she’s eager to know what we believe could be the film’s subject, and pat comes our response — the story of a desi drag queen. Bharucha is amused. We manage to tickle her funny bone, just not enough for her to crack. “There’s absolutely nothing that I can tell you about the film,” she says simply, quick to add, “All I can say is that it is exhausting, but worth it all.”

Speculations on Bharucha playing the titular role were put to rest when her co-star Ayushmann Khurrana took to Instagram to state that he would feature “in and as” Dream Girl. It is evident in our conversation with her that she’s enjoying filming with the actor, who she wasn’t acquainted with before they began to roll. “The process of getting to know a person can also be suitable in building a good chemistry. In the past, I have always known the actors I’ve collaborated with, be it Kartik [Aaryan] or Rajkummar [Rao]. That wasn’t the case with Ayushmann. While working together, we discovered a novelty to our equation,” says Bharucha.

The duo, she says, find many a meeting ground. “We bond over shayaris and music. We often chat between our shots. While shooting for a romantic song, we were told to merely talk to each other. The makers have captured a wonderful montage of us having a regular conversation.”

Juggling the shoot of Ekta kapoor’s offering with another film, Bharucha turns up on the Mathura set in the evenings, following a three-hour drive from Delhi. Spending her mornings in the capital, she faces the camera for Turram Khan, which pairs her with the critically-acclaimed Rao.

With actors like him and Khurrana — who emerged as one among 2018’s most bankable actors, given his consecutive hits, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho — to count as co-stars, Bharucha, it could be argued, could be making a transition into the A-league. But, she doesn’t look at the associations as ones that stemmed from the actors’ box- office victories. “I was drawn to the stories and greenlit them before [Rao-starrer] Stree and Andhadhun became hits. I wanted to work with great actors; they became stars later.”

Nushrat Bharucha on reuniting with her first co-star Rajkummar Rao for Turram Khan
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 15, 2018)

Life has come a full circle for Nushrat Bharucha, who is set to reunite with her first co-star Rajkummar Rao in Turram Khan. The duo had previously featured in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). "Recently, we bumped into each other on a flight to Ahmedabad and this film was locked at that time. We couldn't stop screaming at the excitement of reuniting," laughs Bharucha.

Pointing out that Rao has come a long way since their last outing, the actor says she is looking forward to feed off his creative energy for the Hansal Mehta-directed venture. "I want to pick up his ability to be spontaneous. He brings an earthen flavour to his performances."

In a departure from their previous gritty dramas that include Shahid (2013) and Omerta (2017), among others, Mehta and Rao's next is a social comedy. Having explored light-hearted comedies so far, Bharucha says the genre will be a change of pace for her too. "It's a fun film, which is an unusual territory for Hansal sir. It will be a different ballgame for me, too. I play a simpleton from Uttar Pradesh, unlike the conniving b**ch that I essayed in my previous films. Hansal sir has the knack for culling out honest performances from his actors. I want to match his vision and create an interesting graph for my part."

The film is expected to go on floors by the end of November.

Nushrat Bharucha gives readers of Bombay Times a sneak peak into her personal style, where she likes to shop and also, talks bout high-street fashion
Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; June 17, 2018)

Nushrat Bharucha, the leading lady of this year’s big hit, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, always carries off her looks with confidence, be it on screen or off it. Having grown up in Mumbai, she’s aware of every nook and corner of the city that specialises in fashion.

“People believe that there are these hidden shops, but it’s actually all there in front of you,” observes the actress while talking about the places she frequents for trendy clothes and accessories. She adds, “It’s all about timing — what is available today might not be there tomorrow. While in college, which was in Town, a bunch of us would go to Colaba Causeway to shop. And all of us would want to pick up the same T-shirt. In fact, we would fight over it, because it would be available in only that one size and colour. Fighting over it because, ‘Sirf ek hi piece bacha hai’ was a joyful experience.”

Another fashion haunt that scores high on her list is Hill Road in Bandra. “There used to be this one shop, where you had to go in, grab clothes and hold on to them as you would not get another piece, if you lost it to another buyer. I always wondered how these shops used to have only one piece of something that everyone wanted. Today, big brands talk about their limited edition collection, but according to me they were popularised by street shops in Mumbai,” says Nushrat.



The one thing that Nushrat can’t resist are hair clips. “I love buying hair clips,” she grins, adding, “I make the shopkeepers take out their white dabbas and choose what I want. I am really good at picking these unique pieces, which you will not see on anyone else. I used to have a collection of clips with stars, hearts and abstract colours. My mother has never understood why I spend so much on clips. And then, I go lose them as well.”

Wait, Nushrat has a thing for shoes, too! “I also love picking up shoes from the shops at Linking Road. Shopping in Mumbai is always like an outing with friends.”

Ask her if it’s difficult to maintain one’s own style when one is a celebrity and she says, “Today, as a celebrity you can’t repeat your clothes and I find that very difficult to follow. I have a fixed number of things in my closet, which consist of watches, dresses, tops and trousers. My wardrobe is minimalistic. Also, I like clothes which are simple, chic and wearable. My style would be whatever I look my best in.”


A pair of black shorts show off your legs, especially when teamed with a hoody top. I love jackets and tops with a hoody. It reflects the sporty side of me. A pair of sneakers and the hair tied up complete the look


I like bright coloured linen dresses because of their simplicity. Team it up with platform slippers and gold hoops and you are good to go. It makes a girl look feminine


I love knotted white shirts paired with high waisted and a slim fit pair of denims. Stilettos look best with high-waisted jeans. The floral print on my jeans add drama and colour. It’s glamorous and simple

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; May 17, 2018)

Her happiness is infectious even over the phone! Nushrat Bharucha, who has been a part of one of the biggest blockbusters — Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety — this year, is on a high. “Oh yeah! I am already tripping. I am at the high point of my career right now — I have so much love and appreciation from the industry, family and friends — it’s a warm place to be. I am happy and I want to celebrate,” enthuses Nushrat. The actress is throwing a big bash for her friends and family. At the last count, around 100 people were on her guest list. She is looking into everything from the cake, the food, the venue to the decorations. “On the cake, I am getting, ‘Happy Birthday to me’ written,” she laughs.

After ringing in her birthday with her parents, she will be spending the morning with the children of Smile Foundation and distribute sweets. “I will have a little party with them. The thought came to me when I was shooting for a scene in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety where I played a girl working for a NGO. There was this scene where I am with children from the less privileged background and I am distributing chocolates and cakes. It was so much fun being around the kids that I thought I should do this on my birthday,” says Nushrat.     

Not only that, the actress is planning to gift a luxurious car to her mother! “I hope it is delivered today, it’s a big surprise for her,” she smiles. Her party doesn’t end there, she is planning to go on a holiday with her girlfriends to London on May 24. “We are a gang of four and we are planning to have a lot of fun,” says the actress, who has had a great year. “The industry is now showing faith in me and considering me for their films, which gives me immense happiness,” she signs off.

As told to Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 8, 2018)

I’ve always lived in a joint family and growing up, I was really close to my father’s sister. My aunt was a journalist working with a daily newspaper before she married an art director and joined one of India’s leading fashion magazines. I’ve been a part of her journey since the beginning, met her media friends when they came home. I was fascinated by her world and how it gave me a new perspective on culture and society. I too wanted to become a journalist, and cover the crime beat. I dreamt of being on the field all day and reporting live from conflict zones. In college, I even opted for a bachelor’s degree in mass media, with journalism and advertising as my subjects of specialisation, but destiny had other plans.

From day two, I was involved with the backstage production of college plays and in my first year, was organising many events. I was branded ‘Busy Bee’ as I could multi-task effortlessly. I put together contingents for inter-college fests, found in-house talent for fashion shows and dance competitions and even sourced directors and choreographers for events. I believed I would make a great show-runner and eventually become a producer.

For one such event in 2009, I managed to get a leading face wash brand as a sponsor for a talent contest. They wanted to scout for a “fresh face”, offering the lure of a gift hamper for the winner. They auditioned for five days and on the day of the finale, I was called on stage and literally pushed out of wings as they announced that I was their ‘fresh face’.

I hated facing a camera or a crowd. I had always suffered from stage fright and thought my role was behind-the-scenes. But to my surprise, I bagged a couple of ads after that college win and even a small feature film.

In 2010, I got a call from casting director Atul Mongia’s office. Nervous about my first audition, I asked my best friend to accompany me. I was given a scene which required me to cry on cue. I apologized for being foolish enough to believe I could be an actor and began to cry in earnest, not realizing that the camera was rolling. And before I knew it, I was at a workshop with Dibakar (Banerjee), prepping up for Love Sex Aur Dhokha.

Dibakar is a smart and talented filmmaker and though I was clueless, the way he approached my character Shruti opened my mind to a new world. I fell in love with the craft and realized I only wanted to be in front of the camera.

Between LSD and Pyaar Ka Punchnama, I went for every audition in the city — film, TV, ads — but never to an acting school. They were my daily class, with a new brief and character every day, played out on different sets to different audiences. They helped me hone my skills and made me a better actor.

Today, when I am on set, I’m not just an actress but also a backseat production designer and assistant director. You can never take the producer out of me, but since acting takes so much of my time, I’ll have to wait a while to wear the producer’s hat.

Nushrat Bharucha (DNA; March 24, 2018)

Nushrat Bharucha can’t stop smiling. Her last release, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is inching towards the Rs 100 crore mark and her phone hasn’t stopped ringing. “My life has changed drastically. I have now become an option for projects that earlier I probably wouldn’t have been considered for,” she beams. Here, she talks about the kind of roles she wants to do, directors she wants to work with, and more...

Has life changed after the super success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety?
Drastically! I was looking forward to connecting and working with certain producers and directors from the industry whom I have already known. Now, when I go to meet them, their first response is, ‘Aap toh star ban gayi. If I call you, will you answer the phone or someone else will?’. People are looking at me in a new light. It’s almost like, ‘We knew she was around, she did a decent job in the films that she was seen in, but now she is somebody we can depend on’. The film has done so much business — the (box office) numbers have made me a sort of dependable actor. I guess that’s why the business matters. Overall, when they set up projects, they know what will work commercially. In that respect, I have become an option for a lot more projects.

Are flooded with offers?
I have started meeting people. I am looking at doing something that I have not done before. I am considering a mix of things, maybe two-three different genres. Or I will wait for something I really like doing and do that one thing for the next one year. I am still taking my time because it’s crucial. If I take a wrong turn now, it will ruin all my hard work.

When you say you want to do something you haven’t done before, do you have anything specific in mind?
I want to be a part of Imtiaz Ali’s movies like Rockstar, Jab We Met, and Tamasha, where you are totally immersed in terms of performance and his world. His movies are romantic — the Sufi kind — with heartbreak and journey. I would also like to be part of movies like Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara and Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya, which are based in small towns. I want to explore that space. I felt Alia’s (Bhatt) characters in Udta Punjab and Highway were a great contrast to the other films that she was doing at that time. As an actor, she was exploring different sides, which is what I would like to do, too.

Are you saying you don’t want to do any more light films?
I have already made an identity and a distinctive place for myself in light-hearted romantic films. Issine mujhe naam diya hai. So, I will continue doing these kinds of films. Only because of these movies can I think of experimenting with something completely different and become a wholesome entertainer.

Kartik Aaryan, Luv Ranjan and you have become a winning team. What is the secret?
I think our stars are perfectly aligned! Kaam bhi kar rahe hai aur ek doosre ko acchi tarah se jaante bhi hai. It’s not as if we have only hits. We have done Akaash Vani, which was a flop. We have gone through lows and highs together. The most important thing for me as an actor is that I should be able to free my mind of doubts and inhibitions. And, all three of us are able to shed our inhibitions at least among ourselves and create that magic. Our minds are receptive to any creative improvisation. We work in a happy space and that is probably why we are working together repeatedly.

Luv Ranjan’s films have been accused of being misogynistic. What is your reaction?
I know what people have said about his films. But the first thing you have to see is whose story it is. Both, Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP) and the sequel, were from the boy’s point of view. It was about what happens after two people, who are in love, have spent time together for five-six months. It was about the bad days and not the good days. There are many love stories where everything ends happily, but this was about what happens when love goes wrong. And for the three boys, it went wrong in PKP. Secondly, it was a comedy where things are exaggerated. That is why certain comedies work the way they are. So, in the writing and performance, we did that. For me as an actor, my character was in an unreal space, it was caricaturish. The film was about three boys being stuck with three wrong girls. If you make PKP from the girl’s point of view, it would have been the other way round. The boys would have been wrong for the girls. That wouldn’t have been misogynistic.

What about Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety?
In this film, the girl is herself saying, ‘I am flawed, I am the villain and this is what I am going to do in life’. She is actually challenging the guy. It cannot be misogynistic because we haven’t shown the girl doing anything wrong. Which girl doesn’t see the bank balance of the guy she is marrying? Not only the girl, even her parents want her to marry a financially-secure guy. She is being practical to a point that ‘if I get married and come into the house, I will decide for my man and vice versa’. She doesn’t want his friend to come into that space. That girl doesn’t do any wrong to her fiancé. It’s not about whether she is right or wrong. The question is whom does the boy choose. Does he want to keep his friend or be with his girl forsaking the friendship? He chooses his friend over the girl. There is nothing misogynistic about it. But, because the first two films (PKP and PKP 2) had that flavour, it got carried to Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 21, 2018)

Nushrat Bharucha, Kartik Aaryan and director Luv Ranjan have collaborated for the fourth time for Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Except for Akaash Vani, which did not do well at the box office, the trio has tasted success with Pyaar Ka Punchnama I and II (PKP), which were sleeper hits. Now, Nushrat is hoping that their next outing together also connects with the youth. “If youngsters can relate to the story and humour, the film works,” surmises the actress.

Unlike her dumb girl act as Babu (Neha) in PKP, Nushrat’s character in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is grounded and real. “Sweety is today’s girl who likes simple things and is practical. She agrees to an arranged marriage with Titu, but his childhood friend, Sonu, feels threatened and starts creating problems. She takes him head-on and the two start fighting for space in Titu’s life. It’s the banter between Kartik and my character, which is new. I love this tashan,” smiles Nushrat.

Does she have the same tashan with Kartik in real life too? “I believe I’m witty with my comebacks. We have known each other for seven years and our relationship has gone through ups and downs. Some days, we are fighting while other days, we are chilling, but we genuinely enjoy working together. We get each other’s vision,” says Nushrat adding she, Kartik and Luv together are like a house on fire!

Interestingly, though the petite actress has done films like Love Sex Aur Dhokha, besides comedies, she doesn’t have any movies lined up after Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. “I feel the PKP image is so strong that people are not able to see me in a different light. I hope after this film, their perception changes. I don’t want to play roles that have me looking pretty, and where jokes are cracked at me,” she signs off.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 21, 2018)

The room turns a little more colourful when the petite and spunky Nushrat Bharucha enters, flashing us a cheerful smile. The actress has been busy with promotional activities for her upcoming film, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, written and directed by Luv Ranjan, in which she plays the protagonist Sweety, a too-good-to-be-true bride whose intentions are doubted by the groom’s best friend. As she sits down and sips her black coffee, Nushrat opens up on how she has found comfort in playing the protagonist in Luv Ranjan’s movies, Bollywood’s cliché format of depicting love stories and her wait for that one film which will redefine people’s perception about her. Excerpts:

Unlike most actors, you lost weight after your film wrapped up. What was the reason?
Luv Ranjan does not believe in bikini bodies. Therefore, he always insists that we look like relatable characters onscreen. So, I had to look like someone who belongs to a khaate peete ghar ki ladki and portray a girl who is not really diet-conscious. But after the film’s shoot was complete, Luv sir wanted me to reduce weight for two songs, which were yet to be shot. And so, I had to hit the gym and also turn vegan because my weight had hit a plateau. For me, it was tough staying away from non-vegetarian food, but I have shed around five to eight kilos after the film.

After the Pyaar Ka Punchnama franchise and Akaash Vani, this is your fourth film with Luv Ranjan...
We enjoy the creative process we share. We have been working together for seven years and there have been fluctuations and disagreements, but there is a kind of job satisfaction in delivering what sir wants. I like the faith he has in me that I will deliver exactly the way he wants and I don’t have to try too hard to please him. I want to work outside his banner, but I am not willing to do the same kind of work that I do with Luv sir, with other filmmakers. Others come to me with similar scripts, hence I continue to work with him.

So, you don’t mind getting stereotyped? As an actor, don’t you want to experiment with different kinds of roles?
I don’t think I am getting typecast. I did Love Sex Aur Dhoka, but Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP) did so well that people only remember me as this angry girl, who possesses mean traits. People don’t remember my work in my earlier films as PKP has been etched forever in their minds. So, I get similar kind of roles. I often feel that perhaps the next film I get will change people’s perception of me. I am hoping that Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety will do the trick.

What is the one thing that you would like to change about the way love stories are depicted in Bollywood?
Hindi films tend to over-romanticise situations. There was an era for such films, but it is over. Now, the lesser you say, the more it conveys. There should be less dialoguebaazi. Some films still continue to portray in a cliché fashion how a girl meets a boy and falls in love. While a few films tried a different format, we are still sticking to the same formula.

There is a debate about how Bollywood offers dry up for actresses in their late 30s, while the men continue to rule the roost even in their late 40s. What are your views?
The reason why a filmmaker will invest in a male actor is because he will be able to sustain footfalls in the theatre till he turns 50. Do you feel an actress will be able to do that in her 50s in Bollywood? Meryl Streep is doing that in Hollywood. I hope that by the time I cross 30, my seniors would have paved the way for me to do different films.

Talking about actresses getting their due in Bollywood, you have been a part of the industry for some time now . Do you now feel like a star?
Not at all. Even recently, when my car driver did not show up, I wrapped a scarf around my head and took the rickshaw to work. Honestly speaking, I did not come here because I love stardom. I am happy that people are reacting to my work, that is my reward. Till date, people call me the PKP girl and I tell them, ‘Please call me Nushrat Bharucha’. Having said that, I don’t feel bad about it. Like I said before, I am just that one film away to change people’s perception about me.

In real life, if you were getting married soon, what would you want from your relationship?
When I was a teenager, I had this romantic idea of a relationship that would eventually end in a fairy-tale wedding. But today, after many boyfriends, I feel love is not enough to sustain a relationship. I have realised that more than love, a couple needs to respect the companionship they share and stand by each other in times of need. We all go through varied emotions of love every day, but I am single.

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, produced by TSeries’ Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Luv Films’ Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, releases on February 23.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2018)

From marriage, gender equality and commitment in the digital age, BT took the lead actors of Luv Ranjan’s Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety — Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha and Sunny Singh — out on a date to the Gateway of India, where they spoke about the changing definition of love, relationships and more. Excerpts…

Have the dynamics of relationships and the expectations couples have from each other changed today?
Kartik: I come from a family of doctors and my mom works as hard as my dad. In fact, I would love to see my girlfriend earning more than me. I am glad that people are talking about gender equality now, because people still don’t accept women working in night shifts, while it’s ok for a guy to do that.
Nushrat: Life has changed for everybody, be it men or women, and so have the expectations. I am making my own money to support my lifestyle, so money is secondary when it comes to marriage. I chose to be an actor and my work demands odd work hours and late nights. Not many understand what it takes to be in this profession. I don’t want someone who just loves me a lot, but someone who will understand me and won’t bother me when I am working. Not just work, even if I am partying late, I wouldn’t want a guy to question my whereabouts. Being concerned is great, as long as he is not insecure. Along with being compatible, I expect the man to accept me the way I am.
Sunny: In India, there are families who still expect dowry and make choices for a woman on whether she should be working after marriage. We are still not as liberal as we pretend to be. It’s a woman’s right to decide what she wants to do.

Are girls more comfortable with words like marriage and commitment than boys? Or is it too much to ask for in the cynical times that we live in?
Kartik: I am not commitment-phobic, but I see a lot of millennials dealing with this issue. Everyone wants everything fast as we live in the digital age. Life has become so cluttered for these youngsters that marriage has become a scary word. I am the kind of guy who will stick to one person and respect that relationship. I am not scared of the word marriage. I come from a background where I have grown up believing that if I am in a serious relationship, I will marry that girl.
Nushrat: I am a girl who is scared of marriage because I am not sure if I am ready for it. Marriage is too sacred for me to say something like, ‘it’s not working out, so let me get a divorce’. I can end a relationship but, I don’t think I can end a marriage.
Sunny: Marriage is for life. I feel people make hasty decisions these days and regret later. It‘s important to plan your future and offer a certain financial security to your loved ones. You have to have clarity of thought.

What is that one thing in a relationship that you wouldn’t tolerate?
Kartik: Respect is what matters the most to me. Also, what irritates me is when people try to change each other in a relationship.
Nushrat: I can’t stand disrespect that stems from lack of values.

Do the three of you take people at face value or like Sonu’s character in the film, always wonder if there’s more to someone than meets the eye?
Kartik: I tend to make friends easily and I have learnt my lesson. I’ve been friendly with people who I shouldn’t have been friends with, as I’ve been backstabbed so many times. I have stopped trusting people now. You must take your time to understand what a person is really like.
Sunny: Be it your partner or friend, I think you get to know the person only after you spend a considerable amount of time with them. There are very few people who are true to their persona. So, I don’t tend to trust people easily.
Nushrat: I take people at face value because there is no time to sit and wonder if a person is actually what he/she pretends to be like. I trust people and move on, unless someone backstabs me.

Do girls talk more about their relationship with their gal pals or boys with their buddies?
Kartik: I think girls tend to talk more about their relationship with their female friends. We did this, went here, ate that, my boyfriend is funnier than yours etc. Boys are in fact more secretive than girls in a relationship.
Nushrat: Girls will always keep certain things a secret, but boys will go all out to tell their male friends all the possible details of their relationship, including the intimate bit. We might talk a lot more, but we know where to draw the line as well.

Since the film deals with bromance vs romance, do you think the equation between best friends (irrespective of gender) change once the friend’s lover steps in?
Kartik: Yes, the equation changes as priorities change. He will take her out for dinner, go to movies with her and won’t see the same film with us again. This is bound to happen so you have to make peace with the fact that either this girl will be a part of the group, depending on the equation she shares with you or you will have to play the second fiddle to her.
Sunny: For men, a best friend is like a bhai, who knows you from the beginning. The girl steps in later, so it becomes important for a guy to see these two getting along as they both are important to him.

Kartik, in the film, you are the third wheel. In real life, how does one deal with it? Is it awkward to hang out with couples?
Kartik: In real life, I don’t have a problem being the third wheel, unless I don’t like my best friend’s girlfriend. If I have a good rapport with both of them, I don’t mind it. It’s interesting to see how your friend transforms into another person in front of a girl, as it’s a new relationship. It gives me the benefit to hang out with two people and be on my own when I want to be.
Sunny: I am not comfortable being a third wheel. Once, I tried to be a wingman for my friend. It got complicated because he feared that I might woo the girl. I almost lost my friend because of it.
Nushrat: My best friends are boys, so when their girlfriends come into picture, our equation changes to another level. I can’t behave normally with them anymore. I can’t call them at 2 in the morning and ask for help, nor can I be distant. So, it gets difficult.

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2015)