Who is Arushi Sharma from Love Aaj Kal (2020)?

The trailer of Imtiaz Ali’s latest film Love Aaj Kal (2020) set lead artistes Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan trending on social media. The pairing has been anticipated ever since Sara Ali Khan confessed on the television show Koffee With Karan that she has a crush on Kartik Aaryan.

But Love Aaj Kal also features first-time actress Arushi Sharma. The film shows two parallel love stories taking place in 2020 and 1990. Sharma plays Aaryan's love interest in the story that takes place 30 years ago.

Asked about her and how she came to be signed for the role, the director refused to divulge much. “I have known Arushi for years,” Imtiaz Ali said, without elaborating. “I feel it will be better if I speak about her once she herself comes in front of you. I am glad you noticed her. I hope she will be liked by you and the audience.” 

If one reads between the lines, Arushi Sharma’s absence at the trailer launch event was, perhaps, a calculated move. When we looked for Sharma online, we found a Twitter profile where she has less than 150 followers, which simply buttresses her rank newcomer status. Interestingly, she follows a small set of people that includes political activists Umer Khalid and Shehla Rashid and standup comedian Kunal Kamra.