Anjali Anand has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of her career, revealing that she had considered leaving acting and even moving out of India before eventually landing her big-screen debut in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
The actor made the revelation during filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan’s recent visit to her Mumbai home for a YouTube video. While discussing her career, Anjali recalled how a lack of work, the COVID-19 lockdown and financial difficulties had left her questioning whether she should continue pursuing acting.
She also spoke about repeatedly being told to lose weight by casting director Shanoo Sharma before eventually getting an opportunity connected to Karan Johar.
Anjali Anand recalls her lowest phase in 2020
Speaking to Farah Khan, Anjali said 2020 was an extremely difficult period in her professional life.
“I was in the lowest part of my life in 2020. I was thinking about leaving India and no longer pursuing acting. I was getting no roles, there was a lockdown, and I ran out of money. All my savings dried out in six months,” she recalled.
The lack of opportunities came at a particularly challenging time for the entertainment industry, when the pandemic brought film and television productions to a standstill.
Anjali said she had reached a point where continuing with acting no longer seemed financially or professionally sustainable.
Shanoo Sharma had earlier asked Anjali to lose weight
Anjali also recalled her interactions with casting director Shanoo Sharma. According to the actor, Sharma had repeatedly told her to lose weight when they met over the years.
“I have met her all my life, and whenever I met her, she would say, you lose weight, we will do something,” Anjali recalled.
The actor said that despite these conversations, she eventually received a message from Sharma while she was away in Goa with friends.
The timing proved significant.
Anjali said she had been taken to Goa by her friends during this difficult period when the message arrived. The opportunity that followed ultimately led her toward the role that would become her major Hindi film debut.
‘Badi aayi Karan Johar ko milne’
Anjali also remembered her mother being sceptical about the possibility of her meeting Karan Johar for a film.
She recalled her mother joking, “Badi aayi Karan Johar ko milne, tujhe kyun milega vo?” — essentially questioning why Karan Johar would want to meet her.
According to Anjali, however, Karan was impressed by her photographs and audition.
The opportunity eventually resulted in her being cast in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.
The 2023 film marked a significant turning point in Anjali’s film career, giving her a prominent role in a large-scale Hindi production.
Anjali Anand’s journey before Rocky Aur Rani
Although Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is widely associated with Anjali’s big-screen breakthrough, her acting journey had begun much earlier on television.
She appeared in shows including Dhhai Kilo Prem, Untag and Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala. She later participated in reality shows including Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11.
Anjali is also the daughter of former actor Dinesh Anand, but she has spoken about facing her own professional struggles while trying to establish herself.
She had a brief appearance in the 2021 film Bell Bottom, although her role was uncredited. Speaking to SCREEN in July, she described the part humorously, saying she was essentially there so that “one terrorist could fall on top of me and get caught in the film.”
Her first major Hindi film role came with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023.
From Rocky Aur Rani to Dhamaal 4
Following Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Anjali continued working across film and television.
She was most recently seen in Dhamaal 4. During Farah Khan’s visit, Anjali revealed that her mother had described the film as a “one-time watch.”
The actor also spoke about her current professional situation. When Farah asked about her recent London trip and whether she had travelled there for work, Anjali gave a candid response.
“I wasn’t shooting, I don’t have any work,” she said.
Her comment offers a glimpse into the uncertainty that can continue to accompany an acting career, even after appearing in high-profile productions.
Anjali Anand’s career is still evolving
Anjali’s account of her journey highlights the unpredictability of the entertainment industry. She went from considering leaving India and giving up on acting during the difficult lockdown period to securing a role in a Karan Johar production.
Her experience also reflects the challenges actors can face while trying to find opportunities, including expectations around appearance and body image.
For Anjali, the call from Shanoo Sharma arrived at a moment when she was close to stepping away from the profession. The resulting opportunity eventually became a defining chapter in her journey from television to mainstream Hindi cinema.
