When Anushka Sharma Lost to Asin: The 1 Award Snub That Left Her in Tears!

When Anushka Sharma Cried After Losing an Award to Asin: A Tale of Bollywood Disappointment

Bollywood is no stranger to controversial award decisions, but some moments leave a lasting impact. One such incident occurred when Anushka Sharma, now one of Bollywood’s most respected actresses, was left heartbroken after losing the Best Female Debut award to Asin Thottumkal.

Anushka, who made her Bollywood debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, believed she was the rightful winner. However, the award went to Asin for her performance in Ghajini (2008). The loss left Anushka feeling deeply disappointed, and she later admitted that she cried like a child over it.

The Bollywood Debut That Meant Everything to Anushka Sharma

For Anushka Sharma, breaking into Bollywood was not easy. She was an outsider, with no film background, and had to prove her talent with her very first film.

Her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, directed by Aditya Chopra, was a massive success. Her portrayal of Taani, a simple yet strong-willed woman, won her critical and audience appreciation.

Despite being a newcomer with zero acting experience, Anushka’s performance stood out. She believed that winning the Best Female Debut award would be a boost to her career and an acknowledgment of her hard work.

Why Did Anushka Feel She Deserved the Award?

During a 2018 interview on Look Who’s Talking With Niranjan, Anushka revealed her disappointment at losing the award. She explained that Asin had already played the same role in another language, making her nomination unfair.

“I thought I would get it because Asin had already done the film in Tamil. It was her Hindi debut, but she had experience. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was truly my first film, and I was a complete newcomer.” – Anushka Sharma

Anushka assumed the award would go to her because Asin had experience, while she was a fresh face in Bollywood. However, when the winner was announced, and Asin took home the trophy, Anushka was shocked and heartbroken.

Although she maintained a smile at the ceremony and clapped for Asin, she later broke down and cried, feeling she had been robbed of a well-deserved honor.

Ghajini: Asin’s Bollywood Breakthrough

Asin’s journey to Bollywood was quite different from Anushka’s. She was already a star in South Indian cinema, with successful films in Tamil and Telugu before making her Hindi debut.

Ghajini (2008), directed by A.R. Murugadoss, was not Asin’s first time playing Kalpana. She had already played the same character in the Tamil version of Ghajini (2005), alongside Suriya.

The film was later remade in Telugu and then again in Hindi, with Aamir Khan taking the lead role. Asin’s performance in the Hindi version was praised, but her prior experience led to debates about whether she should have been eligible for a debut award.

The Debate: Who Truly Deserved the Award?

Many Bollywood fans felt that Anushka Sharma was the real debutante, while Asin was merely transitioning from South Indian cinema to Bollywood.

Why the controversy?

• Anushka was completely new to acting, with no prior experience in films or TV.
• Asin had already acted in multiple films, including the same role in Ghajini’s Tamil version.
• The Best Female Debut award is meant for a newcomer, but Asin was already a recognized actress.

Anushka’s frustration was valid. She believed the award should go to a true Bollywood newcomer, not someone who had already played the same role in another language.

Despite the debate, Asin won the award, leaving Anushka feeling underrated and disappointed.

Anushka Sharma’s Rise in Bollywood After the Setback

While losing the Best Female Debut award was a tough moment, Anushka didn’t let it affect her career. Instead, she worked even harder and went on to become one of Bollywood’s most successful actresses.

Some of Anushka Sharma’s Biggest Hits:

1. Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) – Her breakthrough film with Ranveer Singh.
2. PK (2014) – A record-breaking film opposite Aamir Khan.
3. Sultan (2016) – A blockbuster with Salman Khan, where she played a wrestler.
4. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) – A romantic drama that showcased her emotional depth.
5. Sanju (2018) – A biopic on Sanjay Dutt, where she played a journalist.

From being an outsider who cried over an award to becoming a leading actress and producer, Anushka’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Where Is Asin Now?

Unlike Anushka, Asin took a different path. After starring in Ready (2011) with Salman Khan and Housefull 2 (2012), she gradually stepped away from Bollywood.

She got married to Rahul Sharma, co-founder of Micromax, in 2016 and has since been away from the film industry, focusing on her personal life.

Final Thoughts: Was It Fair?

Even today, the debate continues: Did Anushka deserve the award over Asin?

While Asin’s performance was undoubtedly great, there is no denying that she had already played the role before and had acting experience.

Anushka, on the other hand, was completely new and proved her talent with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Regardless of the award loss, Anushka Sharma’s hard work and perseverance made her one of Bollywood’s top actresses.

What Do You Think?

The debate over who truly deserved the Best Female Debut award remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about award controversies. Anushka Sharma’s disappointment was understandable—she was a complete newcomer, stepping into the industry with no prior acting experience, no family connections, and no background in films. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was her first brush with Bollywood, and she delivered a commendable performance alongside Shah Rukh Khan, one of the industry’s biggest superstars.

On the other hand, Asin Thottumkal was already an established actress in the South Indian film industry, having worked in multiple Tamil and Telugu films before making her Bollywood debut with Ghajini. What makes the situation more complex is that Asin had already played the same role in the Tamil version of Ghajini (2005), making her Hindi film performance less of a fresh start compared to Anushka’s.

This brings up an important question: Should an actress with previous experience in another film industry be eligible for a Bollywood “debut” award? The primary purpose of the Best Female Debut category is to recognize fresh talent—actors who are stepping onto the silver screen for the very first time. If an actress has already acted in several films, including the same role in another language, does she still qualify as a “debutante”?

This also raises questions about the fairness of Bollywood awards. Should industry newcomers be given more priority in debut categories, or should prior acting experience be overlooked? Some fans argue that Anushka was robbed of her moment—that her first-ever film performance should have been rewarded. Others believe that Asin’s performance in Ghajini was strong enough to deserve the win, regardless of her previous work.

Your Take Matters!

So, what do you think?

• Was Anushka Sharma right to feel disappointed?
• Did Asin truly deserve the award, or should it have gone to a complete newcomer like Anushka?
• Should Bollywood change its award criteria for “debut” categories to exclude actors with prior film experience?