Anushka Shetty birthday special: 'Baahubali' to 'Rudhramadevi', a look at her most iconic performances

Anushka Shetty is not just an actress; she is a powerhouse performer who has dominated South Indian cinema for nearly two decades. Her career is marked by bold choices, from epic warrior queens to relatable modern women. Anushka has proven her versatility. She can command the screen like few others. Her compelling roles inspire awe and connect deeply with audiences. Let's explore her best performances, showcasing her incredible range and talent.

Anushka Shetty delivered a towering performance as Devasena, the fierce warrior princess and imprisoned queen. Her character embodied grace, tenacity, and unyielding strength against tyranny. Director S. S. Rajamouli’s epic franchise allowed her to shine. Devasena's character arc is central to the entire narrative. This role cemented her status as a pan-Indian superstar.

The horror-fantasy film ‘Arundhati’ was a massive turning point. Anushka Shetty played two roles - Arundhati and her fierce ancestor, Jejamma. Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, the movie relied entirely on her performance. She convincingly portrayed both the modern woman and the formidable ancient queen. This blockbuster proved she could carry an entire film and established herslf as the "Lady Superstar" of Telugu cinema.

Anushka bravely stepped into the titular role of Rudhrama Devi. She played a real-life warrior queen of the Kakatiya dynasty. The historical epic required her to initially portray a prince, and she proved that she could seamlessly transition to a powerful queen, defending her kingdom. Director Gunasekhar’s vision allowed her to showcase royal demeanour and military skills.

In this acclaimed hyperlink film, directed by Krish, Anushka portrayed Saroja, a determined young sex worker dreaming of a better life. This role was a stark departure from her glamorous image. She beautifully captured Saroja’s vulnerability and fierce ambition to escape her circumstances. The performance was raw and deeply humanising.

In the film ‘Deiva Thirumagal’, directed by A. L. Vijay, Anushka played the compassionate lawyer Anuradha Ragunathan who fights a challenging custody battle for an intellectually disabled man. Her role grounded the emotional story. She provided strength and resolve amidst the film's heartache.

In the successful horror thriller, ‘Bhaagamathie’, directed by G. Ashok, Anushka gave another dual-shaded role. She played an IAS officer, Chanchala, who gets possessed by a vengeful queen. The film is a perfect vehicle for her intense acting. Her chilling transformation into the spirit is iconic. It blended horror, mystery, and a strong political message. This kept audiences guessing until the final, shocking reveal.

For the film ‘Size Zero’, directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, Anushka committed fully to the part. She physically gained over 40 pounds to portray the plus-sized protagonist, Soundarya. This dedication was commendable and rarely seen. The film addresses topis of body shaming and self-acceptance. Her authentic portrayal resonated with many viewers.

Directed by Mahesh Babu, Anushka returned to romantic comedy. She played Anvitha Shetty, a master chef who wants to embrace motherhood without marriage. The film explored modern concepts of single motherhood and partnership. Her pairing with Naveen Polishetty was fresh. Her performance balanced Anvitha's professional success with her emotional needs.