sanya malhotra

Yesha Bhatt (BOMBAY TIMES; October 24, 2023)

Sanya Malhotra, who’s currently riding high on the success of Jawan in which she starred with Shah Rukh Khan, is now “looking forward to working with the third Khan”, Salman, (she made her debut in Dangal, starring Aamir Khan). “I hope and pray that it happens soon,” she laughs. On a recent trip to Ahmedabad, Sanya spoke to us about festive fashion and how she loves binging on festive food.

‘I don’t feel guilty about binging during festivals’
Sanya, who loves dressing up for every occasion, says she doesn’t need a festival or reason to put on her best attire and some jhumkas and bangles.

She says, “When it comes to festivals, I am quite a Dilliwali. I love dressing up, wearing a beautiful saree, and gajra.”

Sanya shares, “I am very comfortable in sarees and kurta suits, so I often go for a bun. That’ll be my go-to festive look. As far as dressing up is concerned, even if I am sitting at home doing nothing, I love to dress up.”

And what about festive binging? Given that actresses need to stay in shape, does she have cheat meals during the festive season? Sanya, who is a self-confessed foodie, says, “Food for me is fuel, it makes me very happy. I don’t feel guilty about eating anything or even binging. I eat everything that I feel like eating, so there are no restrictions for me as such, not even during the festive season.”

‘Would love to venture into Gujarati theatre someday’
Earlier this year, the Telugu period classic RRR shone at the Oscars, and now the Malayalam film 2018 being India’s nomination for the Oscars for 2024, has Sanya thought of foraying into regional cinema? “I love being in front of the camera, I love acting and being on set. I just love being part of great films and yes, someday I might even do regional films. Speaking of regional content, Gujarati theatre is doing extremely well and is commercially viable. I have seen Gujarati plays enjoying immense popularity even in Mumbai. I do not know Gujarati, but I think it won’t be difficult for me to learn it. Gujarati theatre has a massive fan following and given an opportunity, I’d like to do a Gujarati play.”

‘Want to explore Ahmedabad as a tourist’
Ask her if she has gone around the World Heritage City, gorged on some Gujarati delicacies or tried the thaali, and the Pagglait actress says, “Whenever I have come to Ahmedabad, I have had packed schedules and haven’t been able to explore the city (as a tourist) yet. I hope to do that sometime later this year when I return to the city to buy clothes and jewellery for my sister, who’s getting married.”