Why actor Sanya Malhotra likes to step out of her comfort zone

Not satisfied with just going with the flow, the actor likes to embrace new challenges with each role

In 2016, when Sanya Malhotra made her debut with the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, she played one of his two daughters in the sports drama. Cut to 2023 and the curly-haired star has already been part of some of the most interesting acting projects in recent times.

From playing the daughter of a math genius (essayed by Vidya Balan) in the movie Shakuntala Devi to starring in the romantic drama Photograph—the latter prompting The Hollywood Reporter to list her among their ‘breakout talent’ after the movie’s screening at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival—to being appreciated for her roles in the quirky Ludo, the black comedy Pagglait and the thriller Love Hostel, the Delhi girl has certainly taken confident strides in the film industry.

As Malhotra readies to show her skills as a cop in the social comedy Kathal (in which two jackfruits go missing from a local politician’s garden!) on Netflix on 19 May, the 31-year-old actress reflects on her choices as an actor and what she hopes to bring to the table in her future films, which include Atlee’s Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur with Vicky Kaushal among others. 

You are not playing a typical cop in Kathal. How was it to get under the skin of this character? How did you prepare for it? 

I think Mahima is a very beautifully-written character and Yashovardhan (Mishra, the director) and Ashokji (writer Ashok Mishra) have written a cop which is not the typical cop you see in Bollywood films. To understand the world of cops, I was really fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to live in Gwalior for a few days where the film was shot. Yasho and I went there almost a month before the shoot was to begin. As an actor, I do my homework, including character-building but this character, in particular, required me to get out of my comfort zone, and out of my house! If it’s an urbane character, it’s easier to do character-building because there are some reference points around you. I have never been to a small town like Moba, which we have created in the film; never been around a cop either to know how they do what they do. In Gwalior, we met a couple of cops including a female inspector and got to see how she handles her work. I think she is the most important inspiration for Mahima’s character. She looked very feminine. She is a mother and was also solving cases in her office. She had a really empathetic view about the people she would meet and that’s what really inspired me. .

Generally, the perception about cops–especially female cops–is that they are tough and walk in a certain way. To make it look tough and serious, we always take that masculine approach. For this one, specifically, I thought I will keep her as feminine as possible.

One can count the number of female-led comedies in Bollywood in recent times on our fingers. Was that a factor you took into account as well when you were considering the film?

I looked at the overall picture as well. I have worked with producer Guneet Monga on Pagglait and this was the second collaboration with her production house. People usually ask me if there is a specific genre I like doing as an actor. Till date, I have not found that one genre. I have tried a lot of things, which is just me trying to not get complacent and comfortable. I am glad I got to be in a female-led comedy which, as rightly-mentioned, we haven’t seen much in recent times.

Quite a few of your films, including Shakuntala Devi, Ludo, Pagglait and now Kathal, are OTT releases. Has OTT played a huge part in your career and taken your work to a wider audience?

Definitely, OTT has played a major part in my career. I have seen a shift in how the audience and the industry looks at my work as an actor and that change happened after Ludo and Pagglait. I can see the change in the films I am being offered and the kind of response I get from the audience. As a creator, I feel that we have much more to do. There is so much we can do with our work and the things we are creating. We can tell more stories and experiment with them. Also, OTT gives you the opportunity to enjoy the mood with your favourite snack and in the comfiest of clothes. We all like doing that, isn’t that?

Your choices in films have been quite interesting. Even if it’s not a very big role, there is substance in it and you manage to leave an impact. What do you take into consideration when saying yes to a role?

There is something that director Nitesh Tiwari Sir told me when I got locked for Dangal, and that has stayed with me. He told me as an actor you should always look at what you can add to the script and not what you can get out of the script. That’s something that is always on my mind when I am reading a script or listening to a narration. . 

Of course, I have been fortunate to have worked with really good directors post my debut and some really good co-actors as well. I say yes to films where I can push myself out of my comfort zone and also learn something new about filmmaking and acting. It’s always the kind of people I am working with, my script and the character—these are the major points I keep in mind when I am considering a role.

What is driving your film choices at this point in your career?

I have four films at the moment and all of them are different. All require different Sanyas and I don’t mean just in terms of looks and behaviour but other aspects as well. When I am choosing a film, and a character, it is mostly to do with my contribution and how it is polishing me and my skills for a bigger and more challenging role in the future.

From somebody coming from Delhi, working hard, auditioning and landing roles to getting critical acclaim for your work and getting lead roles in films, how would you describe your journey as an actor in the last few years? Where does Sanya go from here?

My debut film Dangal demanded every bit of my body. The appreciation that it received was also equally fulfilling. My journey from Dangal to Kathal (I guess this just rhymed!) has been amazing. I’ve been blessed to have the correct guidance from experienced faces in the industry. The journey is how you look at it. There are times I get overworked and there are times, I just lie on my couch binge-watching and eating ghar ka yummy khana. In a nutshell, this journey has been nothing short of brilliant, challenging and satisfying.

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