"This is the first time that Imran and I are working together in a film. This is a fresh pairing. I had never thought we would have such a different look in the film. I think Imran looks hot in this film," Anushka told reporters here after release of the first look of the movie on Tuesday.
Anushka's character 'Bijlee' comes across as a sharp and outspoken woman. "We used to conduct readings and with Sir's (Vishal Bharadwaj) assistance we got things right. He knows his characters so well," she said.
Bharadwaj, known for portrayal of strong female characters in films like 'Ishqiya' and 'Saath Khoon Maaf', feels women are stronger than men in real life as well.
"My women characters in films have been strong...this comes naturally to me. In real life as well I feel women are stronger than men."
The versatile filmmaker said since the title of his new venture was a tongue twister, he had thought of another name but noted lyricist Javed Akhtar insisted on retaining the original one.
"There is no specific reason for the title of my films to be different. While I was travelling to Haryana I saw this eatery called Matru, and there is a place called Mandola in Haryana. Since beginning I had liked this name Bijlee...so this is how the title came in place. Javedji and others found the title to be a tongue twister. I had thought of another title. But later Javedji called up asking me to retain the original title," he said.
'Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola', which also features Pankaj Kapoor, Arya Babbar and Shabana Azmi, releases on January 11.