Before Anushka Sharma, Sanak actress Rukmini Maitra was offered Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi; turned down the SRK film for this reason- EXCLUSIVE

It was last weekend that Vidyut Jammwal starrer action flick, Sanak released on Disney+ Hotstar. The film also marked the debut of the gorgeous and talented Rukmini Maitra. Those who follow Bengali films would be aware of how powerful an actress she is. Here, she played the character of Anshika, Vidyut's on-screen wife whose love gives rise to the Sanak in him. She has also been a model since she was a teenager. But, did you know that the actress was also offered Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi?

Yes, you read it right. Rukmini was offered Rab Ne opposite Shah Rukh Khan even before Anushka was approached for it. She was offered a debut opposite none other than Shah Rukh Khan and that's an opportunity for a lifetime for sure. But Rukmini gave it a miss. In an exclusive conversation with us, she just laughed and said, "Don't bring it up now." But, does she regret saying no to such a big launchpad? Rukmini said, "No No No that I wouldn't say... it happened to me when I was 15 or 16. I was in school, I was modeling, I was doing a lot of brands. They were looking for a fresh face and somehow this call came to me and it happened at that point of time (where) I don't know where it would go. You know you get calls for a lot of roles and Rab Ne ke liya I had one of those casting calls. But I was so young."

She also added that she did not want to give up on academics at such a young age and said, "Academics has always been a focus, and it has always been a priority in my family. So I always believe, this is something my parents have taught me, that such professions are very high gain professions but they are also very high risk. So one must always have a plan B. At least this is the kind of work concept that I've been brought up with. I need something to fall back on, and that backup has to be a degree, it has to be education."

But giving up a chance to share frame with the one and only Shah Rukh Khan! Like any SRK fan, Rukmini says, "Let's get one thing straight-Shah Rukh Khan is love. Because Bhagwan nahi aa sake, unhone Shah Rukh Khan ko de diya pyaar karne ke liye for womenkind. Let's establish that one... I was too young to be very honest. And, who does not want to be romanced by Shah Rukh Khan? But, I met him along the way he's come to our Kolkata International Film Festival a couple of times. Of course, I've seen him in person. I just look at him and I'm like 'wow'. I love tthe intelligence and the charisma that he comes with. I really appreciate that."

Rukmini also added, "Movies, I never wanted to do it, everybody knows it. For the longest time I have deferred it, 10 years to be precise. And then it suddenly happened- 'never say never'. It was just back to back to back. And even Sanak- I have not been to a talent management agency, I haven't sent my photographs- it just happened to me. I just got a call from Vipul Amrutlal Shah.So yeah miracles do happen! I guess, 'never say never' is the biggest thing that I've learnt in my life and you never know what destiny has in plan for you, that's for sure."

Did you like Rukmini's performance as Anshika in Sanak? Let us know in the comments.