Anushka Sharma Once Called Priyanka Chopra's Barfi! Role Her Career Best: “She Was Phenomenal”

Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma, two self-made powerhouses of Bollywood, have often shown mutual respect for each other’s talent despite not being close friends. A resurfaced clip and recent Instagram story serve as a reminder of that admiration—especially when Anushka publicly praised Priyanka’s performance in Barfi!, a role many fans and critics believed deserved more recognition.

Priyanka played Jhilmil, an autistic girl in Anurag Basu’s 2012 film Barfi!, a performance that earned widespread acclaim but surprisingly missed out on major awards. In interviews over the years, Priyanka has expressed her disappointment about being overlooked despite the intense preparation and emotional depth she brought to the role.

The conversation resurfaced during an episode of Koffee with Karan when host Karan Johar asked Anushka Sharma if she had any questions for Priyanka. Anushka responded, “I’d ask her if she was disappointed that she didn’t get an award for Barfi!. I thought that was her career-best performance. She was phenomenal—one of the best performances I’ve seen by any female actor in years.” Her candid support struck a chord with audiences, especially as it highlighted a moment of solidarity in an industry often driven by competition.

Adding to the nostalgia, Priyanka shared a heartfelt Instagram post on September 18, 2024, recalling a thoughtful gift she received from Anushka during the shoot of Dil Dhadakne Do back in 2015. The post served as a subtle reminder of the warmth they shared during the film’s production.

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On the professional front, both actresses continue to make waves. Priyanka is set to star alongside Mahesh Babu in SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated next film, reportedly featuring an ambitious boat action sequence. She also has major international projects lined up, including The Bluff with Karl Urban, Heads of State, and Citadel Season 2.

Meanwhile, Anushka Sharma is gearing up for the release of her next film, Chakda Xpress, where she portrays former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami in a biographical sports drama.

Though they’ve followed different paths, moments like these underline the admiration and respect shared between two of Bollywood’s most talented women.