Breaking barriers in Indian cinema has never been easy for women. While male actors often enjoy long-lasting stardom even as they grow older, actresses rarely receive the same chances to stay in the spotlight. Yet, Anushka Shetty has managed to stand tall in this unequal space, building a career defined by talent, courage and resilience.
Anushka’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Before stepping into films, she worked as a yoga teacher at Eastwood School in Bengaluru at a pay of Rs 5,000 monthly, a detail that only recently gained attention when an old photo of hers went viral. Soon after, she took the leap into acting, beginning a career that would make her one of the most recognisable names in South Indian cinema.
Over the years, she has acted alongside some of the biggest stars. In Tamil films, she has shared the screen with Rajinikanth, Vijay, Suriya, Vikram and Karthi. In Telugu cinema, her co-stars have included Nagarjuna, Ravi Teja, Prabhas, Allu Arjun and Rana Daggubati. This ability to make her presence felt next to established male leads helped her carve out a space as a superstar in both the industries.
Her Tamil debut came in 2006 with Rendu opposite R. Madhavan. She soon built a strong filmography with titles like Vettaikaaran, Singam, Deiva Thirumagal, Vaanam, and Lingaa. In Telugu, it was Arundhati (2009) that first brought her major acclaim. But the turning point was undeniably Baahubali (2015), which turned her into a household name across India.
After this success, Anushka took an unconventional risk with Inji Iduppazhagi. At a time when physical transformations were largely attempted by men, she gained weight to portray a plus-sized woman, shining a light on body image struggles faced by many women. While the performance was appreciated for its honesty, it is said that her film offers reduced afterward.
Still, Baahubali 2 went on to become the highest-grossing film of her career, reinforcing her place at the top. Even at 40, Anushka continues to be seen as a leading lady charging Rs 7 crore per movie (as per media reports), a rare achievement in Indian cinema. Her recent project was Ghaati and now she is preparing for her Malayalam debut in Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer.
Looking ahead, Anushka has shared that she wants to focus on meaningful stories, films that not only entertain but also resonate deeply with audiences. With her track record of bold choices, it’s clear that she will continue to inspire.
Which is your favourite movie of Anushka Shetty?
