Mumbai girl Anuya Bhagwat is all set to work with the biggest names in Tamil cinema in ‘Robot' director Shankar's next film, ‘Nanban', the Tamil remake of Rajkumar Hirani's ‘3 Idiots'.

She is the only Maharashtrian after superstar Rajanikanth to act in Shankar's film.

During the recent music launch of the film held in Coimbatore, Anuya was the only actress to share the dais with Tamil superstars such as Vijay, Jeeva, Srikanth, Satyan and Satyaraj.

The journey of Anuya's rise to the top began with ‘Siva Manasula Shakti' (SMS), a romantic comedy where she was a vivacious RJ.

She was nominated as the best debutante for ‘SMS'.

She moved on to an action thriller ‘Madurai Sambavam', where she plays an encounter specialist and also the villain of the film.

Then came crime drama ‘Nagaram' with yesteryears actress Khushboo's husband Sundar C, where she portrays a vulnerable film dancer.

Anuya says, "On the first day of Nanban's shoot, Shankar Sir appreciated my performance in my debut film SMS and this appreciation was greater than any other award that I could have won!

"No wonder he cast me for this important performance based role without any audition. It's a great privilege to be part of the film and the climax of Shankar Sir's most eagerly awaited blockbuster of this year.

"I'm sure Nanban will be a turning point in my life."

Talking about her rare distinction of being the only Maharashtrian after superstar Rajanikanth to make it big in Tamil films, Anuya says, "Rajanikanth Sir, who started his career with strong characterizations and went on to be a superstar, is an icon I look upto.

"I am a novice compared to him but am proud that I have the same Maharashtrian origins as Rajinikanth and have also worked in director Shankar's film."

"Today, there is tremendous scope for strong female characters and women-centric roles. I like to challenge myself with varied characters and surprise audiences and myself.

"Being highly versatile, I don't like to get stuck in a groove or a mould but would like to explore, evolve and experiment. I believe glamour is also characterization as much as a realistic portrayal," she says.

From a bubbly RJ in my debut film ‘SMS' to shooting all the men of the hero's family in my second film ‘Madurai Sambavam' to being an ‘abla naari' (helpless woman and a cowardly victim of circumstances) in her third film, Anuya has played it all.