As a Delhi girl in Mumbai, actor Sanya Malhotra’s style has been influenced by the two cities. “[In Delhi], I like to dress up, do my makeup and be proper, even if I am stepping out for five minutes. In Mumbai, my style is more relaxed,” she tells us, adding that her Delhi friends “get a huge shock” upon seeing her Mumbai outfits: “They’d say, ‘You look very simple’... I committed the biggest sin when I wore chappals to Khan Market in Delhi! (laughs)”

Noting that fashion lets her express herself “in a different way,” she shares, “Now, I know what I like to wear, but I am still trying to find my personal style.”

Does this reflect on her on-screen personas as well? “I used to take my own clothes on set for Badhaai Ho (2018) and I [still] do it whenever I want to add a personal touch to my characters’ [looks],” the 32-year-old reveals, adding, “At the start of my career, I didn’t have money to afford a stylist. I wore something out of my closet for an event once and got good reviews. I look the best when I style myself.”

Much has changed since Malhotra’s Bollywood debut in 2016. Ask about her journey and she replies, “I always wanted to be an actor, but my intention was never to be a star.” But it was the chance to lead films such as Pagglait (2021) and Kathal (2023) that gave her confidence.

“I didn’t believe in myself when I signed Pagglait... But with the kind of confidence Guneet (Monga, producer) and Umesh sir (Bisht, director) had in me, I decided to give it a try. That success gave me the confidence to pick films like Kathal and [the upcoming] Mrs,” she ends.