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Not every journey to stardom begins in Mumbai. For Anjala Zaveri it started in Hampshire England where she grew up in a conservative Gujarati family. But her heart was somewhere else dancing with dreams shaped by Hindi films. “I grew up watching Bollywood movies. I used to buy videos from shops and that’s how I fell in love with cinema” she once shared in an interview. Though academics were the priority back then fate had something else planned. Discovered by Vinod Khanna launched with Akshaye Anjala got her big break most unexpected way. While scouting talent in the UK Vinod Khanna handpicked her for his film Himalaya Putra which also introduced his son Akshaye Khanna. The film didn’t work commercially but her face and presence did not go unnoticed. Soon after she appeared in Betaabi and then bagged a role in one of the year’s biggest hits Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) sharing screen space with Salman Khan Arbaaz Khan and Kajol. Why didn’t Bollywood work out? Despite working with big names Bollywood didn’t offer her much in terms of longevity or big money. But South cinema welcomed her with open arms. That same year she made her Telugu debut opposite Chiranjeevi in Choodalani Vundi and things turned around. Tollywood turned her into a star In the South she found the recognition that Bollywood couldn’t offer. Her performance in Preminchukundam Raa opposite Venkatesh was well-received and films like Samarasimha Reddy Shankar Dada MBBS and Devi Putrudu made her a familiar face in Telugu households. Her last known film was Life Is Beautiful (2012) which also featured Amala Akkineni. Who did Anjala Zaveri marry? After stepping away from the spotlight Anjala married actor Tarun Arora. Most remember him as “Anshuman” from Jab We Met Kareena Kapoor’s NRI fiancé. Today Tarun has reinvented himself as one of the top villains in South Indian cinema. Fame on her own terms Anjala Zaveri didn’t chase headlines but she left a quiet impact. She might not have had a long Bollywood career but South cinema gave her the kind of stardom many dream of—without the noise.