Anjali recalls ‘being in the lowest part’ of her life

Anjali Anand has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of her career, recalling how the COVID-19 lockdown left her without acting opportunities and drained her savings. The actor recently spoke about her journey on filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan’s YouTube channel, where she discussed the struggles she faced before making her mark in Hindi cinema.Anjali Anand revealed that 2020 was an especially challenging year for her. With the entertainment industry brought to a standstill during the pandemic, acting opportunities dried up and she began questioning whether she should continue pursuing a career in the industry.“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 up in six months,” Anjali recalled.

Anjali Anand recalls Shanoo Sharma’s message that changed things

Just when Anjali Anand was contemplating leaving the country and giving up on acting, she received a message from casting director Shanoo Sharma. The two had known each other for years, and Sharma had previously spoken to the actor about potential opportunities.Anjali recalled that whenever they met, Sharma would encourage her to lose weight before they could explore working together.

“I remember my friends took me to Goa, and I received a message from Shanoo. I have met her all my life, and whenever I met her, she would say, ‘You lose weight, we will do something,’” she said.The message came at a crucial point in Anjali’s life, when she was already unsure whether acting had a future for her. The opportunity eventually led her towards a meeting with filmmaker Karan Johar.

Anjali Anand reveals her mother was sceptical about meeting Karan Johar

Anjali also recalled her mother’s reaction when she found out that she was going to meet Karan Johar.

According to the actor, her mother was not convinced that the meeting would actually result in an acting opportunity.“My mother was sceptical too. She said, ‘Badi aayi Karan Johar ko milne, tujhe kyun milega vo?’” Anjali recalled.The actor eventually met Karan Johar and said the filmmaker responded positively to her photographs and audition. The meeting ultimately resulted in her being cast in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.Directed by Karan Johar, the 2023 romantic family drama starred Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, with Anjali playing a supporting role in the film.

Anjali Anand’s journey from television to Bollywood

Anjali Anand, daughter of former actor Dinesh Anand, had already been working in the entertainment industry before her big-screen breakthrough. She began her acting journey on television and later appeared in films, including 'Bell Bottom' in 2021.Her major theatrical breakthrough came with 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' in 2023. The film marked an important step in her Hindi film career and brought her wider recognition.Anjali has continued to work across film and television since then. Her recent projects include 'Dhamaal 4.'