I didn’t like my work in Dangal: Sanya Malhotra
Radhika Bhirani
Success comes from curiosity, concentration, perseverance and self criticism.” This quote by Albert Einstein seems to ring well with Sanya Malhotra, who is in an exploratory phase in her film career.
For the actor, going from essaying a bold wrestler in Dangal (2016) to playing a demure girl in Photograph — the second film she shot — was a plus as she was on the lookout for a role where she could just act. But whether it has led to an image change for her in the industry is not something she really thinks about.
Sanya says, “I am very selfcritical. I beat myself up whenever I do anything wrong, and don’t give anyone else the chance to do that. I didn’t like my work in Dangal, and then in Photograph, I was cribbing. Pataakha (2018) was the only film where I felt, ‘Okay, theek kaam kiya hai’. In Badhaai Ho (2018), I wasn’t happy with my work at all. So, before anyone tells me something wasn’t right, I know it already. I need to stop doing that because I can be very hard on myself.”
What also keeps Sanya on her toes is curiosity, as she admits she wants to do everything. “Till now I haven’t figured out what type of characters or films I want to do. After 10-15 films maybe, I will be able to decide what I like or want. But for now, I want to work with everyone and I’m glad I’m working with such amazing directors,” says the actor, who has been directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Vishal Bhardwaj and Ritesh Batra.
She is also working with Anurag Basu in a new film, which she is tight-lipped about. But she says that “it’s a dream come true” for her to collaborate with a director who she calls a “magician on set”.
That apart, Sanya will be seen sharing screen space with Vidya Balan in a biopic on a mathematics genius. She recently wrapped a schedule for this in London, UK, where she also interacted with some students of Oxford University. “The schedule was amazing. It’s too soon to say anything about the film as we have a lot of shoot left, but I had so much fun with Vidya. I’m a huge Vidya Balan fan, and it is surreal that I am working with my favourite actor.”
I am very self-critical. I beat myself up whenever I do anything wrong, and don’t give anyone else the chance to do that.
SANYA MALHOTRA,
ACTOR