Anushka Shetty’s name is just inseparable from Tollywood; she has given many super-hits and is known for her incredible roles. Instead of avoiding risks, she loves experimenting with different characters and this is the reason, people of South India love her. It is Anusha’s habit to choose the most unique scripts, because she likes to enjoy her work in every possible way.
After the success of SS Rajamouli movie “Baahubali 2” people have lauded her for the role of Devasena, which she portrayed with complete efficiency.
Given below are some interesting facts to know about the pretty actress;

1) Her actual name is Sweety; when she started doing movies, she started using her screen name to Anushka.

2) She is a master in Yoga; she has her own Yoga institute as well. Very few know that Bharat Thakur, her Yoga instructor convinced her to try her luck in the film industry.

3) When she did the movie “Size Zero”, she had to put on 20 kgs; she had the option of choosing a fat suit too, but she didn’t go for it. Hats off!

4) In 2015, Anushka was selected as the “Most desirable woman of Hyderabad”; guys fall for her beauty.

5) Anushka Shetty has won the Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) for her roles in the movies Rudramadevi and Arundhati. Apart from this, she has bagged several other awards.

6) The actress is a bike-lover; we had seen this avatar of hers in the film “Super”.

7) It is said that Anushka has a net worth of $22 million; some reports also say that she charges a whopping 3 crores for every movie.

8) Anushka just hates auditions; even during her 1st film “Super” she was forced to give auditions; luckily she got the role opposite superstar Nagarjuna instantly.

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8 Fun Facts About the South Beauty Anushka Shetty, Who Played ‘Devasena’ in Baahubali 2!

The epic saga of Baahubali redefined Indian cinema, captivating global audiences with its grandeur, scale, and unforgettable characters. While the fierce rivalry between the two protagonists, Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, formed the core of the story, it was the warrior princess and eventual Mahishmati queen, Devasena, who became its emotional and moral center. Portrayed with breathtaking grace, tenacity, and fire by Anushka Shetty, Devasena’s journey from a spirited princess of Kuntala to a royal captive who never loses her dignity cemented Anushka Shetty’s status as a pan-Indian superstar.

Beyond the silver screen and the grand sets of Mahishmati, the actress behind the iconic character leads a life as interesting and multifaceted as Devasena herself. Known for her humility, powerful role choices, and years of dedication to her craft, here are 8 fascinating facts about Anushka Shetty, the phenomenal actress who brought Queen Devasena to life.

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Eight Amazing Facts About Anushka Shetty

1. Her Real Name is ‘Sweety’

One of the most surprising facts about the celebrated actress is that her birth name is not Anushka, but Sweety Shetty. The actress adopted the stage name ‘Anushka’ when she made her foray into the film industry with her debut Telugu movie, Super, in 2005. This stage name has now become synonymous with a string of blockbuster hits and powerhouse female-centric roles, yet the charming original name, “Sweety,” is still used affectionately by close friends, family, and industry veterans like director S.S. Rajamouli.

2. She Was a Professional Yoga Instructor Before Acting

Before stepping onto a film set, Anushka Shetty lived a completely different life: she was a highly trained and practicing yoga instructor. She received her training and certification under the renowned yoga master, Bharat Thakur. In fact, it was her dedication to the discipline that led to her acting career, as reports suggest it was her yoga guru who saw her potential and encouraged her to try her luck in the world of films, an opportunity that began with an audition with director Puri Jagannadh. She has often credited yoga with transforming her as a person and helping her maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, even amid the pressures of the entertainment industry.

3. She is S.S. Rajamouli’s Repeat Star

Anushka Shetty holds the unique distinction of being the only South Indian actress to have worked with the visionary director S.S. Rajamouli multiple times. Her first collaboration with him was on the successful 2006 film Vikramarkudu. Following this initial success, Rajamouli cast her in the monumental, two-part Baahubali series, where she played Princess/Queen Devasena in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017). This makes her an integral part of three of the director’s most significant commercial and critical successes, highlighting the deep trust and respect the celebrated filmmaker has for her talent and versatility.

4. The Unwavering Dedication of Size Zero

Anushka Shetty is known for fully immersing herself in her roles, a commitment that goes beyond makeup and costumes. A powerful example of this dedication is her lead role in the 2015 Telugu-Tamil film, Size Zero. For the film, she was required to play an obese woman, Soundarya, and rather than opting for prosthetics or a heavy ‘fat suit,’ the actress made the radical decision to physically gain nearly 20 kilograms (about 40 pounds) for the role. She stated that she preferred an authentic portrayal, believing a lean face combined with a fat body (created artificially) would look incongruent on screen. This incredible feat of physical transformation and subsequent weight loss for later films demonstrated an unparalleled level of professional commitment in the industry.

5. A ‘Lady Superstar’ Title Holder

Anushka Shetty’s career is marked by a clear preference for challenging, performance-driven, and often female-centric roles, earning her the title of ‘Lady Superstar’ in South Indian cinema. This moniker was solidified after her stellar, dual-role performance in the dark fantasy film Arundhati (2009), a massive commercial and critical success that proved her ability to shoulder the responsibility of an entire film. Roles like Jejamma/Arundhati, the titular warrior queen in Rudhramadevi (2015), and the unforgettable Devasena, showcase her command over epic, heroic, and emotionally complex characters, setting her apart from her contemporaries.

6. A Computer Science Graduate with an Academic Past

Anushka’s life before cinema included a strong academic background. She completed her schooling in Bangalore and holds a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. Furthermore, the actress harbors a significant interest in academics, particularly in Geography. Reports suggest that if she had not become an actress, she considered pursuing a career in teaching the subject, showcasing an intellectual curiosity that extends well beyond her successful film career. It’s also an interesting anecdote that Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also studied at the same college.

7. She’s One of the Tallest Actresses in the Industry

Known for her commanding screen presence, a part of Anushka Shetty’s stately and regal look, especially as Devasena, is attributable to her height. At approximately 5 feet 9 inches (or even 5’11” by some reports), she stands as one of the tallest lead actresses in the South Indian film industry, particularly in Tollywood. This natural stature undoubtedly added to the authenticity and powerful aura of characters like the warrior princess Devasena and the historical Queen Rudhramadevi, allowing her to easily embody roles of authority and physical prowess.

8. A Poet and Collector of Calamity News

Away from the camera flashes, Anushka maintains an incredibly grounded and modest lifestyle. Her hobbies reveal a sensitive and introspective side. She has a deep affinity for literature and nature; she enjoys writing poetry in English and is an avid collector. Her personal scrapbook is dedicated to collecting newspaper articles and information related to natural calamities and other such phenomena. This private passion offers a glimpse into a thoughtful personality that finds beauty and importance in the grand, sweeping narratives of the natural world, a stark contrast to the dazzling, yet temporary, world of cinema.

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Conclusion

Anushka Shetty’s transformation from a humble yoga instructor named Sweety to the internationally recognized “Lady Superstar” is a testament to her versatility, hard work, and commitment. Her portrayal of Devasena in the Baahubali franchise, where she seamlessly transitioned between the youthful, feisty princess and the dignified, imprisoned queen, will forever remain a cornerstone of her cinematic legacy. Her career is not just a collection of box-office hits, but a study in an actress who consistently chooses substance over superficiality, a quality that makes her one of South India’s most respected and beloved personalities.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs on Anushka Shetty

Q1: What is Anushka Shetty’s real name?
A: Anushka Shetty’s real name is Sweety Shetty, which she later changed to Anushka after entering the film industry.

Q2: What was Anushka Shetty’s profession before she became an actress?
A: Before starting her acting career, Anushka Shetty was a trained and practicing professional yoga instructor under the guidance of Bharat Thakur.

Q3: For which movie did Anushka Shetty gain weight intentionally?
A: Anushka Shetty intentionally gained approximately 20 kilograms (about 40 pounds) for her leading role in the 2015 Telugu-Tamil film Size Zero, choosing to do so instead of wearing a fat suit for authenticity.

Q4: How many times has Anushka Shetty worked with director S.S. Rajamouli?
A: Anushka Shetty has worked with director S.S. Rajamouli on three projects: Vikramarkudu (2006) and the two parts of the Baahubali series (The Beginning and The Conclusion).

Q5: What are some of Anushka Shetty’s most famous female-centric films?
A: Some of Anushka Shetty’s most famous female-centric films, which earned her the title ‘Lady Superstar,’ include Arundhati (2009), Rudhramadevi (2015), and Size Zero (2015).

Q6: What is Anushka Shetty’s educational qualification?
A: Anushka Shetty holds a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.

Q7: Which other famous actress studied at Anushka Shetty’s college?
A: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also studied at Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, which is Anushka Shetty’s alma mater.