Making an announcement in Yash Chopra, Chairman of Yashraj Films said the 19-year-old has been identified to play the female lead. "Hopefully, the announcement will end all the speculation and conjecture that had started about the identity of the female lead ever since the film was announced," he said.

Yash Chopra said Anushka was chosen because they were looking for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small town Punjab, and that is what they found in Anushka.

Yash Chopra also stated that while Anushka has no previous acting experience, the filmmakers have seen 'that unique spark in her', that makes them confident that she will standout even opposite a stalwart like Shah Rukh Khan says Yash Chopra, "We were looking first and foremost for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small town Punjab and we know we have found her in Anushka Sharma.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi goes on the floors this month and will release on 12 December 2008. The film is Aditya Chopra's third directorial outing after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayeinge and Mohabbatein. The wait for the release of what has already turned out to be one of the year's most anticipated movies truly begins in full earnest now.

When we contacted Sonam to find out how she missed out on such a wonderful opportunity she shocked us by stating that she feels relieved now that Aditya Chopra has finally found a girl for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in Bangalore-based model Anushka Sharma, who will star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the film. B-Town buzz was that Sonam was to be part of the project.

Says the Saawariya actress, “Ever since the project was announced, there was speculation about me being in it. I was never offered the film. I don’t know where the whole thing started. To be honest, I did visit Adi a couple of times like any other actor but not for any particular role. Maybe people saw me entering Yash Raj. Nowadays, even if an actress passes by Yash Raj, she has signed a film with them.”

But Anushka does resemble Sonam? “Does she? Hmm... Is that a compliment to me or to her? I never even approached Adi for the role. I had a reason not to. I know it required someone very Punjabi-looking and young.

I’ve just played a full on Punjabi kudi — salwar-kameez sharara-gharara and all, in Rakeysh Mehra’s Dilli 6. Even in Saawariya, I was in Indian clothes. Now I need a change of pace and grace.”

She adds, “I’m not signing anything in a hurry. I’ve all the time in the world and the best advisor any actress in Bollywood could have — my dad (Anil Kapoor).”

Apparently, Sonam was also offered the role Barbara Mori is doing in Anurag Basu’s Kites with Hrithik Roshan. Wouldn’t this sizzling heroine’s character change Sonam’s demure image?

She is tight-lipped about the Roshan project. “All I’ll say is I’d never compromise on anything. I’d never do anything where I would have to cringe at the premiere.”