The year 2008 marked the arrival of two different yet impactful female leads in Bollywood—Anushka Sharma, who made her debut with Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi,’ and Asin, who was in the movie with Aamir Khan in ‘Ghajini.

’ Both performances were lauded, both films were box office successes, and both actresses were nominated. Although when the envelope opened, it was Asin who took home the trophy.

In a resurfaced 2018 interview on ‘Look Who’s Talking With Niranjan,’ Anushka candidly recalled her heartbreak, saying, “I’m very upset they didn’t give it to me. I made my calculation, you know. Asin had already done Ghajini in Tamil, Telugu, and maybe Kannada.

She’s already been an actress for many years. Obviously, they won’t give it to her! Debut toh mera hua hai, main nayi hoon, maine nayi film mein kaam kiya hai.

I need the encouragement.” In spite of clapping for Asin during the ceremony, Anushka admitted she was devastated afterwards, as she said, “I cried like a child—as if I didn’t get a certificate in school.”

Anushka’s frustration was not just all personal; it became a larger industry debate.

The question though lies what truly defines a debut? While ‘Ghajini’ was Asin’s first Hindi film, she was already a popular star in South Indian cinema. Anushka, on the other hand, was a complete newcomer, stepping into the spotlight with no prior screen experience. This distinction, Anushka felt, should have mattered. She emphasised, “She’s already an actress.

I was new. I needed the encouragement.”

In a cheeky moment on ‘Koffee With Karan,’ Anushka even referred to Asin as “A-Sin,” a pun that reflected her lingering disappointment.

While said as a joke, it ignored how deeply the moment had affected her.

Asin stepped away from acting after ‘All Is Well,’ choosing to focus on family life. Anushka, meanwhile, has shaped herself into one of the Bollywood’s most respected actors and producers. Her upcoming film ‘Chakda 'Xpress,’ which is based on the cricketer Jhulan Goswami, is among the most expected biopics in recent memory.