Danish Sait took a gamble when he played the anti-hero in his Malayalam film debut, Malaikottai Vaaliban. While the film didn’t create many waves commercially, it got the actor-comedian noticed. 

Happy with the response, the 35-year-old says, “Malayalam was a brand new language [for me]. During those three months, while I was shooting in Pokhran, Rajasthan, with my head half-shaved, I never did anything on the internet, no Instagram video or branded content. I devoted myself to this one film. Looking back, I’m glad I did that.”

His dedication caught the attention of Mohanlal, a veteran actor in the Malayalam industry, who also played the lead in the film. “Mr Mohanlal gave me compliment [on my work in the film],” he says, adding, ”It was quite an accomplished film set and I was intimidated. I remember calling my wife (Anya Rangaswami) and saying, ‘I am the least qualified person on set’. There were people who had National Awards, State Awards; someone’s film went to the Oscars, and more. But, everyone was very sweet to me.”

Sait is active in the stand-up comedy space and has previously worked in films such as Humble Politician Nograj (2018) and 777 Charlie (2022).