Showing posts with label Malavika Mohanan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malavika Mohanan. Show all posts
I don’t opt for narratives in which women are treated in a misogynistic way-Malavika Mohanan
8:08 AM
Masumi Shah (BANGALORE TIMES; October 19, 2024)
After establishing herself in the Tamil and Malayalam film industries, giving Bollywood a shot felt “natural and right,” Malavika Mohanan tells us during a recent interaction. From Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds and the Tamil hit Master to her Bollywood debut Yudhra, Malavika says she’s all for diversifying her portfolio, whether in terms of language or genre.
‘OTT, SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE MADE REGIONAL CONTENT ACCESSIBLE’
“I have worked in some big films in the south, but I was waiting for the right offer to enter Bollywood. Working with Siddhant (Chaturvedi), Farhan Akhtar (producer), and Ravi Udyawar (director) was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss,” Malavika says, that being established in one industry makes it easier to receive good offers in another.
“The boundaries between languages and industries have blurred significantly. If you’ve done a good job in a Tamil or Telugu film, it’s reaching audiences everywhere. So, you can now collaborate with great filmmakers across the board. Thanks to OTT platforms and social media, well-made films are no longer confined to the regions they originate from.”
‘LOVE ACTION PACKED ROLES’
Malavika’s filmography includes several action films, one of her favourite genres. “I love doing action. Initially, it is very challenging to get the technical aspects right, but once you learn the nuances, it is fun. I’ve done my fair share of action, so now my friends call me the ‘female Bruce Lee’ (laughs). I prefer this over standing delicately next to a hero while he’s beating everyone up. Why should boys have all the fun, right?”
On exploring OTT
While opting to do OTT projects has become a rite of passage for actors today, Malavika hasn’t made the switch yet, though she’s open to the idea. “Exploring OTT depends on the project, who’s directing it, what the role is like, etc. For the last couple of years, I’ve been so busy with feature films that I haven’t had time to explore other mediums, but it might happen if the right opportunity comes along.”
‘I stay away from misogynistic scripts’
The actress says, “I don’t opt for narratives in which women are treated in a misogynistic way. I’m mindful of the characters I choose and prefer roles where women have agency, and are portrayed in a positive light.”
‘My parents let me figure things out on my own’
Malavika’s father is a renowned cinematographer (K U Mohanan), but she says he doesn’t interfere with her choices. “My parents come from a school of thought where they tell me, ‘You do you.’ They never pull me away from what I do want to do. They’re very liberal, and let me figure things out on my own.”
Siddhant Chaturvedi on how to make women feel safe on set: Listen to what makes her uncomfortable
8:28 AM
With Hema Committee report showing rampant exploitation of women, Yudhra actor Siddhant says creating safe working environment for female actors is entire unit’s responsibility
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 13, 2024)
With Yudhra, Siddhant Chaturvedi is excited to show his action avatar on screen. But there is something else that has him even more thrilled about Ravi Udyawar’s directorial venture—co-star Malavika Mohanan’s character. “She is not a damsel in distress, she is as strong as I am in the film. Yudhra will break the stereotypes [of a female character in action films],” he says proudly.
When reading scripts, one of the things Chaturvedi keeps an eye out for is the presentation of female characters. “I’ve been raised by women. There is mom, and in the film industry, it was Zoya [Akhtar]. I feel proud when women are presented in a raw and strong way. I like women being shown stronger than me and the protagonist in a film.”
A dialogue about women’s safety has been reignited after the Hema Committee report shed light on the exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. As the male lead, Chaturvedi sits at the top of a film’s hierarchy structure. How does he ensure that women working with him feel safe? By listening to them, says the actor.
“It’s about the environment you create to make a woman feel safe. When you’re approaching any scene, you have to make sure that the person is feeling comfortable; if that’s not the case, you flag it to your first AD, director and producer. Listen carefully to what makes her uncomfortable. Listening is the most powerful tool that people don’t use. Listen, process and go to the root of the problem—why is it happening and how did we, as a responsible crew, let it happen? It’s the responsibility of every man and woman on the set to look out for each other. If it happens to someone, it needs to be addressed then and there.”
Men who get a kick out of morphing images of actresses, shame on you-Malavika Mohanan
8:11 AM
Malavika Mohanan opens up about the deepfake menace for women and how it has been normalised on the web
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2023)
In recent times, various celebrities in India have fallen prey to the deepfake menace, including actors like Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt, Kajol and Katrina Kaif, to name a few. In Rashmika’s case the video, which was originally posted by British-Indian influencer Zara Patel, was morphed and Rashmika’s face was inserted on Zara’s body using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Soon after, deepfake videos of Alia, Kajol and Katrina also surfaced.
Malavika Mohanan, in a conversation with Bombay Times, pointed out that morphed images are so rampant that they have almost been normalized. She said, “It’s not about whether it happens to an actress but how much with every actress. What can be done about it and how strong an action can be taken? As actresses, we all see morphed images of our faces being put on the body of some girl wearing a bikini. We see it all the time. Sadly, it has become such a regular occurrence. There are no regulations that can stop it.”
‘You can report a few photos, but you can’t do that day in and out’
The Beyond The Clouds actress, who has also featured in several films down South, adds, “As an individual, you can report 5-10 photos a day, but you don’t have the time to sit around and do that day in and day out. Over the years, you become thick-skinned. However, you live in a society where your parents, brothers or grandparents end up seeing these morphed pictures or videos, and it hurts them to see their daughter, sister or granddaughter going through it.”
‘There must be regulations on technology’
Being cautious about what you post, or not leaving a digital footprint is not a viable option, says Malavika. She argues, “In today’s times, to ask a woman to not upload her photos fearing that someone might steal her face or identity, is the biggest form of bullying. It’s a form of harassment, and it’s unfair. It’s a digital equivalent of telling girls not to step out of the house after 7 pm instead of telling the boys not to harass women. ‘Hey, lie low online, else you can be targeted.’ That’s ridiculous! Expressing yourself through social media has become a big part of our identity and social circle. We use social media for brand collaborations and as actors, we make more money from brands than films and a lot of it is linked to social media. So, asking us to not post can directly affect our career. Just because of bullies, why must we step back? There must be regulations on technology and severe punishment for whoever misuses it.”
‘Actresses have been easy targets’
The actress is glad that Rashmika spoke up. She says, ‘I feel what happened with Rashmika is so scary because it looked so real. With technology getting better by the day, and with AI sweeping into our lives, it’s everywhere. Actresses have been easy targets. This is yet another tool to attack you. I am glad Rashmika spoke up and people like Amitabh Bachchan and Mrunal Thakur stood by her. In times like these, making noise about something that needs to be addressed urgently is important. I want to tell women to stay strong and not get bogged down by bullies. If you know it’s fake, you will get through it. Point it out and clear the air.”
Holding the men who resort to this form of harassment accountable, she concludes, “Men who get a weird kick out of doing this to women, shame on you!”
Onam is one day in the year where I go all Malayali. I love dressing up-Malavika Mohanan
8:08 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2023)
Malavika Mohanan’s gorgeous house in Mumbai is buzzing with activity for Onam. Spread over a period of 10 days, the actress takes us through the festivities at her home, fond memories and more.
Showing us the flower rangoli in her house, she says, “As a child, one of my favourite things about Onam was pookalam. On Diwali, you make rangoli with powder, on Onam we make pookalam, which is rangoli made with flowers. I remember my mom going to the market early in the morning to pick fresh flowers. My school friends would come over and we would together make the flower rangoli; it felt like an exciting craft project. As we got older, we started choosing designs, which flowers to buy, while mom got busy preparing Onam Sadhya (traditional feast for Onam).”
Having her roots in Kerala and raised in Mumbai, Malavika has had the best of both worlds. She elaborates, “Onam is essentially a harvest festival. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in Kerala. Extended 10-day festivities take place there with folk dance and performances. Temples are lit up and everything smells of flowers. I grew up in Mumbai, so I didn’t quite participate in all of this. Here, Onam is about reconnecting with your roots, Kerala silks and family lunch.”
This festival isn’t complete without the delicious Sadhya
Talking about it, Malavika explains, “Quintessential Onam Sadhya is served on a banana leaf and is purely vegetarian. It’s a very intricate process because you are cooking so many items. There are at least 10 items on the leaf. My mother is an amazing cook and makes everything from scratch. Her prep work starts two to three days in advance. If I were to name my favourite dish, it’s avial curry and pappadam.”
The traditional Kasavu sari is a hot favourite, too
The actress loves her saris and gold temple jewellery. She says, “I am a big lover and supporter of Indian textiles. We have such amazing variety. Every state has a distinctive style with Kerala having Kasavu. This is one day in the year where I go all Malayali. I love dressing up.”
After Kiara Advani, Malavika Mohanan's exit, Ashutosh Gowariker continues hunt for leading lady for Lijjat Papad film
8:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 8, 2023)
In December 2020, mid-day was the first to report that Kiara Advani was set to headline Ashutosh Gowariker’s production, Karram Kurram, which chronicles the creation and subsequent success of Lijjat Papad (Mazedaar lazzatdaar story comes to screen, Dec 5, 2020).
Two years later, in October 2022, the actor reportedly exited the project. While director duo Glenn Baretto and Ankush Mohla were apparently in talks with Malavika Mohanan, it is now heard that she too had to pass the film. Eager to roll the movie in August, the makers are said to be hunting for a new leading lady.
Sources say that the team was earlier set to shoot in February 2023, with the production team having zeroed in on locations in Girgaon. “However, before it could roll, Kiara quit the film to accommodate another project. The makers then went to Malavika Mohanan. The dates didn’t work out as she is shooting for Ustaad Bhagat Singh with Pawan Kalyan. Now, Ashutosh is scouting for a leading lady who can do justice to the story in terms of acting prowess and star power. He is keen to kick off the movie in August, with the primary shoot being conducted at a set in Film City. At the moment, the ensemble cast is being finalized.”
Karram Kurram will trace the true story of how a woman, in 1959, brought together six other homemakers to create a source of income by making papads.
Our films have often romanticized stalking and that is problematic-Malavika Mohanan
8:15 AM
The actress opens up about a recent experience with a fan that had her thinking about the way consent is portrayed in films
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2022)
Actress Malavika Mohanan had a tough time trying to ward off the attention of an incessant admirer recently. The experience was awkward and unpleasant for her. She said, “I have never really experienced something like this before. It’s something we have grown up seeing in movies, albeit in a more romantic way, but this was far from that. This was pure stalking. I met this person first in Chennai, when I had gone for my movie Master (2021). It was the first time I met him, and assuming he’s a fan, I thought he was really sweet. Then we moved to Baku (Azerbaijan). We were uploading stories on Instagram, and I had not shared my hotel location. He reached out to one of my team members, saying he wanted to meet me. At that point, I didn’t think he was the same person I had met in Chennai. He showed up, but I had left the hotel. Then, he came to Chennai after that again.”
She added, “He knew that Tiramisu is my favourite dessert. I had moved houses, so he sent it to my earlier address and that had his name too. It was a bit unnerving because he was geographically everywhere. Of course, there are people who keep meeting you at shoots, but this person was tracking me at different places, and that is not nice. Thoughtful gestures are sweet, but showing up everywhere is weird. It doesn’t feel safe.”
Though the Beyond The Clouds actress hasn’t taken any legal action yet, she has informed her core team, which always travels with her, and has asked them to be vigilant.
Addressing a bigger issue, she reflected, “Stalking has often been romanticized in films for years. This was my first experience with it. I have seen films where if a guy likes a girl, he stalks her and that is problematic. It’s not romantic. Consent hasn’t been given enough importance. It also comes down to feeling unsafe. If a person is doing this, you don’t know what he might do next! It’s worse when you are alone. This is not admiration, it’s just creepy behavior.”
We were exhausted due to Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif's wedding but still went for the safari-Malavika Mohanan
8:28 AM
Ashish Joseph (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2022)
Actress Malavika Mohanan has several memorable wildlife experiences from her safaris in places like Tadoba and Ranthambore, and even from Serengeti in Tanzania. She talks about what it is like to sight tigers in India, safari destinations on her bucket list, and more. Excerpts:
How did you get drawn to wildlife?
Growing up, I read a lot of books and watched several documentaries on wildlife. So, I have always been a nature lover. But living in big cities, you are not exposed to that part of the world. About five-six years ago, I went to Wayanad with one of my friends. From there, we went to Mudumalai, Masinagudi and Kabini that whole belt. That was how I reconnected with that childhood love of wildlife. As I started doing more safaris, I felt the need to start documenting them. That’s how I started taking photographs and all that. And it’s a nice change from what I do career-wise; it feels good to do something completely different and then come back to work.
You went on a safari in Tadoba Tiger Reserve a couple of months ago. Tell us about your experience…
It’s said that lions are the most majestic animals in a jungle. Yes, they are. But I find tigers equally majestic. What makes them even more enduring is that they are hard to spot; they are very shy cats. If you go to Gir National Park or certain parts of Africa, you can see lions sitting in the open. But tigers… if they sense human movement, they crouch and slink away. Tadoba National Park, which is in central India, is one of my favourite places. Thanks to the landscape, it’s easier to spot tigers there than in other places, like Bandipur. Even Wayanad has tigers, but the place has a rich rainforest. So, they stay hidden in the lushness and you may not find them easily. Central India has a more barren and bushier landscape. So, it’s a great place to spot tigers. Especially during summer, when the water bodies start drying up, if you go to these watering holes, you may spot tigers there. I went on five safaris last month and I ended up seeing eight tigers and three leopards!
What has been your most memorable tiger-sighting experience so far?
We were near Ranthambore for Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s wedding. It was a big fat Punjabi wedding — three days of partying and dancing. We were also exhausted by the end of it. Even then, I really wanted to go on a safari and told my parents to accompany me. It was a two-and-ahalf-hour safari in the evening and we had a very good naturalist with us. When you’re in the wild, it’s very important to have a good naturalist. They know how to track the movements of big cats and are also familiar with individual tiger behaviour. Two hours went by and we didn’t spot even one tiger. Ranthambore is strict with the entry and exit timings of the safari jeeps. When we had barely five minutes before the safari came to an end, we heard a roar in the distance, and it kept getting louder. And suddenly, we saw a tiger coming out of the bushes. The experience was all the more special because it was just us, as all the others had left. The tiger came close to our jeep and we took some pictures against the setting sun. It was a magical experience.
This must be the best wildlife experience you’ve had, right?
Well, I have had another one in Africa (in Tanzania), one of my favourite places in the world. Africa is where you can feel closest to nature. Though the safaris are curated, once you enter, you don’t know what’s going to happen or what you are going to see. You usually get to do a full-day safari there. So, if it’s a six-day safari, on the first day, you go from point A to B and on the next day, you go from B to C. So, we were just finishing the day safari and heading back to the camp for the night. We had gone to see hippos and suddenly, our driver stopped the vehicle and showed a leopard climbing a tree with its prey — a deer — and there were hyenas below, waiting to feed on the remnants. These are things that you see in pictures and videos, but when you see it in real life, it’s very humbling.
Do you have a bucket list of places where you want to go tiger-spotting?
We’re lucky that India is one of the best places to spot tigers. There are some continents that don’t even have tigers. I want to go to Kanha and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh to see tigers. I want to explore more of central India. Photography-wise, I want to click more pictures of them in their element and capture their emotions. I have taken enough pics of them simply sitting. That’s one thing on my list.
There is debate over how safaris are detrimental to the conservation of wildlife. Would you agree?
In many ways, we have intruded into their habitats. The forest covers have shrunk. But a place, like Ranthambore maybe — the whole national park is not open to tourism. It’s only a part of it that is open for safaris, and everything else is protected. The idea is to get more money that can then be pumped into wildlife protection and conservation projects. But that said, we have to follow certain rules and maintain decorum while going on safaris. Imagine that you are sitting in a park and suddenly, 10 jeeps with people halt in front of you. But we’ve very stringent wildlife conservation laws.
FOLLOW BASIC ETIQUETTE WHILE GOING ON A SAFARI: MALAVIKA
1. Don’t make noise and maintain the sanctity of their space
2. Avoid using anything that has a strong scent. Their senses are strong and so, I don’t wear perfume on safaris.
3. Wear neutral colours. The idea is to try and camouflage as much as you can.
4. Don’t litter. Unfortunately, that is something most people do.
I love working in South cinema. But I do wish they had better planning-Malavika Mohanan
7:23 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 5, 2022)
It was in 2013 that actor Malavika Mohanan marked her debut with the Malayalam film, Pattam Pole. But she’s also done films in other languages, including Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. As she awaits the release of the Hindi film, Yudhra, she says that Bollywood is “a lot more organised”. She elaborates, “What I like about the Hindi film industry is that schedules are thoroughly adhered to. So, you’re aware of which scene you’re shooting for on a particular day and that lets you prepare well.”
The actor says her heart belongs to South cinema, but she hopes that the industries there become more organised. “I love working there. But I do wish they had better planning. If a scene doesn’t get over on a certain day, as per schedule, it gets spilled over to the next day. That’s how things often get pushed and then actors become unavailable because of other commitments,” she rues.
The 28-year-old adds, “Our dialogues are often given at the last minute and it becomes tough to prepare.”
However, she wants to continue juggling South and Hindi cinema: “The culture across all the industries is different. So, when you work in multiple industries, you meet people from different backgrounds.”
Mohanan shares that working across industries makes her job as an actor more exciting. She says, “From going to shoot in a small village in Tamil Nadu to an exotic island in Portugal — who else gets to live such a life, apart from actors, filmmakers?”
Bollywood resumes shoot; Ajay Devgn kicks off Bholaa, YRF resumes The Railway Men
8:40 AM
As cases dip in the city, B-Town back in action with YRF resuming shoot of The Railway Men; Ajay kicks off work on Bholaa
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 24, 2022)
With Coronavirus cases in the city dropping to 3,500 a day, filmmakers have heaved a sigh of relief. Work has resumed on major productions, which had been stalled in the wake of the rising cases. mid-day has learnt that Ajay Devgn kicked off the shoot of Bholaa, the official adaptation of the Tamil actioner, Kaithi (2019).
A source reveals, “The shoot began late last week. Meanwhile, filming of Excel Entertainment’s Yudhra, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malavika Mohanan, is continuing in Marol. Yash Raj Films had called off the shoot of their maiden web series, The Railway Men, in December when the cases started showing an uptick. Now, the team feels confident to pick up where they had left off. Stricter protocols have been put in place to protect the cast and crew, including regular testing.”
Some filmmakers, however, have decided to wait out the wave before they return to the sets. The source adds, “Most big-ticket ventures, including director Nitesh Tiwari’s project with Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, and Kartik Aaryan’s next with director Sameer Vidwans will roll in March. Vicky Kaushal-starrer Sam Bahadur too is slated to kick off then.”
I’ve gotten so used to wearing a mask, I feel naked without one-Malavika Mohanan
8:04 AM
Suhas Yellapantula (BOMBAY TIMES; August 25, 2021)
Though Malavika Mohanan, who is currently in Hyderabad to shoot a Tamil project with Dhanush, is eager to step out and explore the city, she has largely been confined to her hotel room. The actress believes there’s a sense of complacency among people regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, which is concerning.
“I’ve come here to shoot, so I cannot afford to step out because I can’t risk getting infected and putting the whole shoot schedule in jeopardy. People have to stop behaving as if COVID is gone. It’s not gone,” she says, adding, “While we’re shooting, there are strict safety protocols in place on the sets, but as actors we need to remove our masks. I’ve gotten so used to wearing a mask that I suddenly feel naked without one. It’s become such an important part of your attire so when you remove it, it feels odd.”
Malavika says the second wave of the pandemic was a traumatic experience for her, which is why she gets triggered when she sees people being careless about following COVID-19 protocols. “Many of my friends lost their loved ones and the last few months have been gloomy. This is why I’m still scared to go out, especially when I see people roaming around, mask-free. It’s almost as if they’ve forgotten about the death toll that we faced just over a month ago,” the actress shares.
On the Bollywood front, she will next be seen in Yudhra opposite Siddhanth Chaturvedi, which is being directed by Ravi Udyawar.
Now that she’s shooting in Hyderabad, Malavika is looking forward to making her Tollywood debut soon. The actress had initially signed a film opposite Vijay Deverakonda. However, the film, which was titled Hero, was shelved mid-way. “Hero was supposed to be my Tollywood debut but that project didn’t pan out due to internal issues. I’ve been waiting to make my debut in Telugu cinema for quite some time now. Of course, I’ve been getting a lot of offers but things have been stuck due to the pandemic and now there’s a backlog of one-and-a-half years. Now that things have started rolling again, hopefully you’ll see me in Telugu cinema very soon,” she says.
What Malavika finds encouraging is that the gap between Bollywood and south cinema is now being bridged, with leading Bollywood actors willing to work in the south and vice versa. “I’ve grown up in Mumbai, but being of south Indian origin, I’ve always watched Malayalam movies with my folks. For me, films from the south and Hindi films have always been on par. I’ve seen a lot of people in Mumbai have this bad habit of looking at the south film industry as a 'smaller' industry, and they think it’s inferior to Bollywood. And I keep telling them that they’re just being ignorant and they don’t know the potential that there is in the south,” she says, adding, “I think the film that shut everyone up was Baahubali. It came like a tsunami and made people sit up and realise that this is what the south Indian film industry can do. Since then, actors have also been more open to working in the south.”
The Beyond The Clouds actress is also pleased to see that the pandemic has accelerated the growth of OTT and hopes to find more work that will let her travel to different places. “In 2019, I travelled to eight new countries. Some were for work and some for leisure. While travelling, I feel like a kid in a candy store. The joy of discovering new places and experiencing different cultures is unparalleled. I feel it’s been instrumental to my growth as a person and it’s one of the things that makes me feel alive. I hope travel resumes again soon, and when it does, I’m going to hit 10 countries this time,” says Malavika, signing off.
The one thing I still don’t get is looking glamorous all the time. I can’t-Malavika Mohanan
7:45 AM
Malavika Mohanan is yet to come to terms with the need for actors to be dressed up all the time
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 22, 2021)
She has been in the film business for over eight years now, but Malavika Mohanan is yet to wrap her head around the need for actors today to look their best round the clock.
“The one thing I still don’t get is looking glamorous all the time. I can’t,” the actor admits, adding, “And this paparazzi culture, arre yaar, yeh kya hai? I’m somebody who loves to dress up, but when I step out to go to a salon or restaurant, I’m always in loose clothes with my hair tied in a bun. I don’t like putting on makeup every single day. I like to let my skin breathe.”
And what this leads to is something Mohanan, again, doesn’t understand: “When you get papped in these kind of clothes, you look ridiculous. And then, you realise you’re going to be clicked, so you have to put on some makeup, which is another process. You have to look good all the time.”
She agrees that being an actor is a ‘full time job’, and confesses it is something she would never get used to. “I will probably figure out a way to do it, but I’m not very kicked about it,” says the 27-year-old, whose Hindi film career began with acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds (2017).
Since her debut, the actor hasn’t taken up any Hindi film, but has managed to carve a niche for herself in the Tamil film industry with films such as Petta (2019) and Master. She’ll be seen next in Yudhra, alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi. Ask if anything has changed in the process of choosing films from the time she entered the business to now, and she says, “The kind and amount of films being offered to me are bigger, I have a bigger roster to pick up from, and across different industries. I have got more offers in Hindi in the last six months. It’s a matter of picking which projects I want to be a part of.”
Bollywood put on a pedestal over other industries-Malavika Mohanan
8:18 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 28, 2021)
Actor Malavika Mohanan is finally set to be seen in a Hindi masala potboiler, Yudhra opposite actor Sidhant Chaturvedi. After Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds in 2017, she preferred to do two Tamil and one Malayalam film, instead of taking up just about any Bollywood film that came her way.
She tells us why, “In the last two years, I have got so many Hindi projects, even some big ones with A-listers. But they were characters I didn’t really see myself doing. For me, I have always picked my films intuitively. I see my contemporaries picking films just to keep the ball rolling. Their idea is to sign as many films, even if they are half decent, to keep having constant announcements. While that sounds good for other people, it’s never been something that I want to do.”
Which is why this 27-year-old decided to wait it out, and Yudhra happened. Having done films such as Petta opposite Rajinikanth and Master with Vijay, Mohanan feels that people still tend to overlook other industries.
“Bollywood is an amazing industry. I have grown up watching Hindi films, but unfortunately, I do see people putting Bollywood on a pedestal,” she says.
The actor adds, “For me, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, all are on the same level. Obviously, Bollywood has a national reach. Master was a film which the whole of south India watched. Vijay sir has so many fans comprising almost half the country, but if it was a Bollywood film, the whole country would have watched it. For me, Tamil cinema is at par with Bollywood. Therefore, I personally find the difference annoying.”
Why Malavika Mohanan bats for 100% occupancy in cinemas
8:40 AM
The actor, whose first release of the year met with success, says she would like theatres to be opened with full capacity
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 22, 2021)
Actor Malavika Mohanan is on a professional high. Her latest release, Master, alongside Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi, is doing well, considering how it’s the first major release of 2021.
Mohanan shares that she is finally at a stage in her career where she can say she is really happy. “Especially how things are moving right now. For instance, something like Beyond The Clouds (2017) gives you critical acclaim, a certain kind of respect. That is from a very niche audience. A film like Master puts you in public spotlight. The combination of these two facts has been getting me so much work. It’s lovely to be getting so many good offers I can choose from,” says the 27-year-old.
Having started her career with a filmmaker like Majid Majidi in Beyond The Clouds, Mohanan has since worked with the best of makers and actors, such as Rajinikanth in Petta (2019).
Tamil Nadu government allowing theatres to run at 100% capacity grabbed headlines some time back. But, this order was soon revoked by the Centre, considering the Coronavirus pandemic is still very much there. The actor reveals that she was glad with the initial decision of the state. “We are around people all the time, it’s not like theatres would put you in closer proximity than you would be in an aeroplane or restaurant. It just comes down to taking all the right precautions, like wearing a mask at all times. This is unfortunately what the new normal is,” says Mohanan.
Stressing the fact that such steps are required to revive the theatre industry, she continues, “Theatres have been shut down for 10 months; we don’t want theatre culture to die. It’s a huge industry which contributes and feeds so many people. Obviously theatres need to take the right precautions, like sanitise frequently.”
Skin colour is an inconsequential thing to define someone-Malavika Mohanan
8:13 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)
While we speak about global racism, we must also become aware about what’s happening around us… and do our part in thwarting the obvious as well as the subtle racism and colourism that exists all around us…,” wrote Malavika Mohanan in an Instagram post, triggered by the USA protests and the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Talking about the thought behind the post, the Beyond The Clouds (2018) actor says, “Change should start from your own home, and these protests got me thinking that we need this change in India, too. People with dark complexion are called ugly, dark-skinned women find it difficult to get married... Barring a few metropolitan cities, where it isn’t ‘that’ looked down upon, colourism is prevalent in the rest of our country.”
Casual racism and colourism thrive in our own society feels the 26-year-old, who also wrote, “Calling a dark skinned person ‘kala’ is something we see on an everyday basis… Dark skinned Indians are jokingly referred to as ‘madrasis’… North-East Indians are almost exclusively only called ‘chinki’, all black people are casually referred to as ‘negros’.”
And criticising this practice, she posted, “What makes you beautiful is being a good and kind person, and not the colour of your skin.”
“Why is skin colour more important than intelligence, kindness or talent? It never made sense to me. It never bothered me if people felt I wasn’t fair enough, as my upbringing gave me confidence. It is ridiculous that there are products that focus on how to be fair. We need to have a conversation about this dated notion that only if you are fair will you be beautiful or successful. Skin colour is an inconsequential thing to define someone,” she concludes.
My brother is stuck in the UK and it’s taking a toll on him mentally-Malavika Mohanan
7:57 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 27, 2020)
Actress Malavika Mohanan is worried about her 22-year-old younger brother, Aditya, who is a student in the UK and is stranded there because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Beyond The Clouds actress told BT, “Aditya is an archaeology-history student, and he has been suffering from anxiety and stress due to the uncertainty.”Malavika and Aditya are ace cinematographer K U Mohanan’s children. Talking about her brother’s current situation, Malavika said, “Aditya is living in rented quarters outside the campus. He has a tiny room with a single bed for himself. Since several students from other countries have left, he’s all alone. It’s taking a toll on him mentally as London has been hit badly.”
Malavika added, “It’s expensive there and at least, we are in a position to transfer money to him. What about the families who may not have enough resources? There is no provision for cooking in Aditya’s room and ordering food from restaurants is not safe. He has been surviving on canned food for over a month now. I am worried about his mental and physical health.”
The actress pointed out that lack of clarity is a big issue. “Will they be able to come back after May 3? We don’t know. Aditya has written multiple emails to the High Commission of India in London, but hasn’t received any response.”
Speaking from London, Aditya told us, “Many of us wanted to fly back, but it was difficult given the lockdown in India. I am sure that the Indian High Commission here is receiving thousands of calls every day, but they need to be receptive to the people in need. Right now, the only way to reach them is through Twitter. A few NGOs are helping the Indian nationals stuck here.”
Malavika Mohanan and Vijay Devarakonda bag Anand Annamalai's Hero
7:54 AM
Duo’s film kicks off in Delhi; will release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and possibly in Hindi
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 20, 2019)
Revealing that she plays a musician to Vijay’s bike-racer in the film, Malavika told Mirror, “So, it’s got sports, lots of music and drama, an interesting mix. Vijay has a large fanbase across the country and I’m looking forward to teaming up with him. Our director had written the dialogue for Kaaka Muttai (the National Award-winning Tamil comedy-drama), so it’s a great team to work with.”
The actress went on to add that they start shooting in the next few days in Delhi though her portions will be canned in the next schedule in June. Malavika was last seen on the big screen in the Rajinikanth-starrer Tamil film Petta, which also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Trisha Krishnan.
I couldn’t get up from my chair when I met Shah Rukh Khan for the first time-Malavika Mohanan
8:08 AM
Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; November 10, 2018)
She made her debut in Hindi films with Oscar nominated director Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds. For Malavika Mohanan, daughter of the popular cinematographer K U Mohanan, acting happened by chance as she had no intentions of joining the industry. The actress is currently shooting for her next film Petta with superstar Rajinikanth. The film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vijay Setupati. The actress says that she is very ‘greedy’ and wants to do all kinds of movies across the country, irrespective of the language. She also spoke to us about her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan and a project called, ‘Chappal Marungi’ that she started in her college.
HAD NO PLANS TO PURSUE ACTING
Though her father is a popular cinematographer in Bollywood, Malavika had no plans to join the industry. However, she was always fascinated with the creative side of the industry. “I was always intrigued by the creative aspect. I was always more inclined towards painting, ad films and those kind of things. I didn’t plan to pursue acting at all until I was offered my first film, Pattam Pole, which was a Southern film. I took that up, and other films happened and I felt that I was enjoying it. My parents and I, we all live in Mumbai, so I thought if I am doing it, I might do Hindi films as well. This is how Beyond The Clouds happened. My journey has been fun so far. When you live in Mumbai, you learn so much about different kinds of things. In that sense, it has been incredible. I have grown up visiting my father’s sets. I still remember when he was doing Don, and being a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan in Class IX, I had gone on the sets to meet him. That was the first time when I saw SRK. I was so petrified and nervous when he came to say hello that I could not get up from my chair. And when he left, my parents were like, ‘Shah Rukh Khan comes to say hello, and you can’t even get up!’ I was like, ‘I am sorry. I was so nervous.’
EXCITED TO WORK WITH RAJINIKANTH
The actress, who is shooting with Rajinikanth for Petta, says, “I am very excited to work with Rajini sir at such an early point of my career. It’s an amazing role and very challenging, performance-wise. It was even tougher for me because I don’t speak Tamil. But I wanted to be true to my character, so I hired a language teacher and trained with her. Rajini sir is an absolute delight to work with and is so humble and down to earth. I am very excited to be a part of this project as it’s an out-and-out commercial film, and different from all the projects I’ve done previously.”
LANGUAGE NO BARRIER
Talking about the films that she had done in South, Malavika adds that she wants to do films that excite her and the language does not matter. “I haven’t done many films down South, I have done about four films, which by South standards is nothing. Films over there get completed so fast, they shoot for 20 days for one movie. I have always aspired to do things in Hindi, so this is where I see myself, even though I see myself doing films all over the country. As long as it is a film that excites you, the language does not matter,” she points out.
MALAVIKA’S ‘CHAPPAL MARUNGI’ CAMPAIGN IN COLLEGE
The actress studied at Wilson College in Mumbai and tells us that she was part of a project called, ‘Chappal Marungi’, which was against molestation. “We were in the final year of our college and it started off as a project. The whole project was about sexual harassment — all girls who would take the Mumbai local faced it at some point. Comments like ‘Item’, ‘Chalegi kya?’ — that girls usually ignore — I feel that is where it grows, because people think if she is not saying anything then it’s okay even if I touch her, and if I touch her, it is okay if I do more. I feel that’s where the thought grows and becomes very serious when people get molested or raped. We can’t ignore that anymore. If someone says something that makes you uncomfortable, just ask the person to shut up. We are not continuing with the project now since all of us are busy. But as somebody who is doing films and wants to reach out to a wider audience, I really want to do things like continuing the campaign or starting a new movement to speak about the issues that women are facing today, especially in our country,” says Malavika.
Malavika Mohanan to romance Rajinikanth in Karthik Subbaraj's next?
8:00 AM
Majid Majidi’s heroine is now headed to Chennai for director Karthik Subbaraj’s next project, which also marks the Tamil debut of Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Rohan Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2018)
Malavika Mohanan, daughter of popular cinematographer K U Mohanan, who made her Hindi debut with Majid Majidi’s first Indian production, Beyond the Clouds, as Ishaan Khatter’s sister, is now set for a Tamil debut. Mirror has learnt that the actress is the female lead opposite Rajinikanth in his upcoming action-drama. The film is being directed by Karthik Subbaraj, who has previously helmed the widely acclaimed gangster-comedy Jigarthanda. The film also marks Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s foray in Tamil cinema.
A source close to the development informed, “Malavika makes her
debut in this lavishly-mounted Tamil production, which also features
Vijay Setupati. Unlike her character from the Dhobi Ghat in Majidi’s
film, she will be seen in a glamourous avatar in this light-hearted
action-drama, one of the most expensive films ever made in Tamil.”
The film, which is set for a pan-India release, will also be dubbed in Hindi. According to the source, after wrapping up the first schedule in Darjeeling in June, work will resume in mid-September. “The team will be shooting in Dehradun, Coonoor and Chennai during the second schedule. Malavika and Rajini will also film a romantic song in Europe next month,” the source added.
This is the first time Rajini has shot in Darjeeling. The yet untitled film is the biggest project to be shot in the hill town since Farah Khan’s Shah Rukh Khan starrer directorial debut, Main Hoon Naa (2004), and Anurag Basu’s Barfi (2012), featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’cruz.
Politics has an expiry date, art doesn’t. An artiste should stay away from political games-Majid Majidi
8:02 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; April 20, 2018)
His stories are deep-rooted in reality; the emotions are raw, unadulterated and simple, yet, they have the power to move you deeply. Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi has spent the last two decades crafting some of the most enchanting stories (like Oscar nominee Children Of Heaven, The Color of Paradise and Baran), which stem from the culture and fabric of the country he comes from. This time, he has looked way beyond, towards India. In his latest offering and his first Indian film, Beyond The Clouds, he has captured Mumbai’s streets, slums, creeks and chaos with charming realism — which is his forte. Like his other celebrated Iranian films, this one too, reflects the life of those trapped in poverty, but it clutches on to that one word —hope. The filmmaker reminds us, “Hope is the biggest reference point, not only for me, but for whole of humanity.” In an interview with BT, Majid Majidi talks about his views on Bollywood cinema, how he idolises the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, and his perspective on how art and artistes should remain depoliticised. Read on...
Most of your films show compassion for the underprivileged. You seem to have a deep connect with such subjects...
The middle class and the lower middle class form the majority of any society, so from my point of view, they are the most important and the most vulnerable, too. As a society and as filmmakers, we do not pay enough attention to their stories and lives. The people belonging to this level of society do not have as many opportunities to come out and talk about their trials and troubles, so it is our responsibility as artistes to draw attention to their problems. In India, women have a great role to play in society, but at the same time, they are oppressed and become victims in the same environment. My stories shed light on the bitterness that a human being goes through in life. It is common everywhere. Everyone needs hope, and that is my aim; to bring hope in each and every aspect of my character and my film. So, hope is the biggest reference point, not only for me, but for the whole of humanity.
The common thread in your films is the focus on a strong value system within the family and how that can stand the test of difficult times and circumstances…
Family as an institution has always been a very important part of my films. I believe that protecting and preserving this institution is a crucial function of any society. If cracks appear in the institution of the family, it gets reflected in society. Very often, the disorders that we see around us, is a reflection of the state of the family system. I think before we can build a proper society, we need to put our energies into building a solid family.
What were the challenges of shooting in real locations in Mumbai? Did you explore the length and breadth of the city while conducting recce for locations?
The first day when I showed my crew the locations where we would be shooting, they were taken aback. They said, “We cannot shoot here!” Unless there is no option, I shoot on real locations. I really enjoyed shooting at Dhobi Ghat, though it was a big challenge. Now I know Mumbai better than you (laughs!). I visited almost every place in the city during my previous trips, before I started filming. Since then, I have been observing the city and its people closely. Mumbai is a real city. I find it very fascinating to see the wealthy and the poor living side by side and co-existing. You can rarely see this anywhere else in the world. This is a unique and an absolutely remarkable feature of this city. In every other society, there is a clear geographical divide in the city between the rich and the poor, but in Mumbai it is all mixed up, which makes the city so dramatic and fascinating.
You did hundreds of auditions before signing on Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan. We also heard that you often identify interesting faces and people around you and go ahead and cast them in your movies?
Yes, besides the location, the casting process is very important for my films. My crew helped me a lot by reaching out to different actors, and showing me pictures that fit the brief for my characters in the film. I even met some extremely popular actors like Deepika Padukone, who is a superstar and a loving personality. For this film, there was no opportunity for us to work together; I hope we can make it happen in the future.
We did a lot of auditions and we were facing a tough time finding the perfect male lead. When Ishaan came to me, he was all beefed up and flexing his muscles. I looked at him and said that everything about him was good, except his amazing physique (laughs!). So my brief to him was to lose all the muscle and become a thin-looking boy. Ishaan is a talented actor; he grabbed this opportunity to the fullest. Even Malavika is a fine actress; I think both of them will shine in Bollywood. The child artiste Asha (played by Amruta Santosh Thakur) in the film, I found her playing outside while scouting for locations. I was so fascinated by her that I requested if I could click a picture, as she fit the character in my film beautifully. There is another lovable child artiste Chotu (played by Shivam Pujar), I lost my breath because of him. He was the director on the set, I wasn’t! Whenever we were ready with the shot, he was in a mood to play, so we all had to wait for him. I think everywhere in the world, children are the same. We have to make the environment comfortable to bring out the best in them.
What is your view of Indian cinema? Our country is very diverse, and so is our cinema. The popular Bollywood fare is what rules the box office mostly, though we’ve seen a growing trend and interest in different kinds of cinema , too, which goes beyond song, dance and drama .
India has all the potential to make good cinema; you have good actors, directors and technicians. India also has plenty of great stories that are deep rooted in their culture, which can resonate strongly with the audience. Let’s say that there are about thousand films that are made in India every year, but only about 200 of them are successful at the box office and the rest don’t even make it there. Remember that there are two key players in the global film industry — Hollywood and Bollywood. Overall, Hollywood has been able to strike a balance between commercial and art cinema. Bollywood has been more inclined towards commercial cinema, even though there is some great art house/parallel cinema being made here. So, even while there is an audience for different kinds of films, the balance has tilted in favour of commercial cinema. India needs to find the right balance between mainstream and parallel cinema as it has the potential to emerge as a major player globally. The youth of India have very strong opinions and they know what good cinema is, hence, they need to be shown more of that as they are the future of this country.
Did you ever deliberate over the language of the film, whether it should be made in Hindi or English?
I was contemplating this when I first came here. There were other creative people who said that I should make the film in English for an international audience. I took my time and thought about it. I felt that this is an Indian film and I am making it for the people of India. So, I was ready to take that risk and make it in Hindi. After the film was made and it was translated into English, I knew I had made the right decision.
How important is it for you to see your films reach out to the world, beyond your country? Would you ever make a film with Western sensibilities so that it appeals to a larger section of the audience?
For every filmmaker, it is a dream to be accepted by the audience around the world. But the important thing is that, if a filmmaker wants worldwide acceptance, he needs to tell a story about his or her own culture. Yes, I want my films to be viewed by a wider audience, but I don’t make films just so that they can travel to festivals. I know that all my films are deep-rooted in culture. Even with Beyond The Clouds, I knew that it was a risk making the film in Hindi, but I was aware that it would make it culturally richer and would eventually pay off. For instance, let’s talk about dance. Over the years, you might have seen films which showed their culture through dance. But right now, the dance that we see in movies is very Westernised, which is not a part of our culture. If you want to show that, you can. There’s nothing bad in doing that, but it would also be great to see your own traditional dance forms in your movie.
You have said that you are inspired by the genius filmmaker Satyajit Ray. His stories too, stemmed from the lives of real people, and they were hard-hitting subjects that were a reflection of our society. Is there any one film of his that has impacted you deeply?
One of my favourite Satyajit Ray films is Pather Panchali (1955). It ranks in my top 10 list of most favourite movies. Every time I watch it, I feel like I am discovering something new. Watching Pather Panchali is like going through an entire term of college. I can take a masterclass on the film and discuss every aspect of it for hours and days, because it is not a film, it’s a study of life itself. Even after watching it over fifty times, the acting, direction, cinematography and story doesn’t cease to amaze me.
Iranian filmmakers have often faced opposition and resistance from the government; in some cases they have been banned and imprisoned for their films. Some filmmakers have even moved out of Iran, because of the censorial policies of the nation. Do you ever feel creatively stifled as a filmmaker in your country?
I think art should not be contaminated with politics, because politics is ever changing. So, if I make a movie which makes a political statement, after one year, when the politics change, people will ask, ‘Why did he do this?’ So, an artiste should stay away from politics. That way, your art will not have an expiry date. Politics has an expiry date; art doesn’t. So, an artiste should stay away from political games. I have not seen any successful films by filmmakers who have migrated from Iran to other countries.
I’d love to do a film with Shah Rukh Khan or Ranbir Kapoor-Malavika Mohanan
7:57 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 19, 2018)
People say that children usually follow in their parents’ footsteps. But for Malavika Mohanan, it was just the opposite. While her dad K U Mohanan is a celebrated cinematographer, the young lady is ready for a career in front of the lens. The actress talks to us about her maiden Hindi venture, Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds (BTC), her wish list of actors as well as directors and how she plans to take her filmi career ahead from here. Over to her...
Beyond The Clouds is quite an unconventional choice for a debut. Did you always want it this way?
Like everyone else, even I wanted a grand debut. When I say grand, I mean an A-league team. And it can’t get more A-league than this. I had Majidi sir leading the pack, Vishal Bhardwaj has written the dialogues and Ishaan (Khatter) is a newcomer, but he is a fantastic performer. So the team was kick-ass and it was an amazing experience. Today, even in Bollywood, things are changing and a lot of focus is on performances instead of naach-gaana.
The line between conventional and unconventional cinema is blurring now. Comment.
Previously, there was a strong divide between indie and masala films, but yes, now the lines are getting blurred. The change is great because it opens up different avenues for actors like me who can do a Beyond The Clouds and an Imtiaz Ali film side by side. We can fit into different movies and I hope I get a diverse range of roles. And why not? In Hollywood, actors get all kinds of roles, so it’s high time that in Bollywood, too, we start exploring new stuff rather than just sticking to massy formula films.
Does it mean you are averse to doing a movie in the masala space?
I grew up watching Karisma Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan’s movies. So, I respect them and their cinema, too. I want to work in a team that looks after you. There’s Karan Johar and I have loved his films, so why won’t I do that? I was seven or eight when Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released. I want to work with Dharma and even with Vishal sir because he does different cinema. I got into my costume and character in BTC. If I can do that, I should be able to do the others as well. I would like to believe that today, there’s a huge space for newcomers like me. Look at Ishaan, he already has a lot of attention and has signed a film before this. But he was interested because he was hungry as an actor. To be directed by Mr Majidi is the cherry on the cake. Only an idiot would think twice about doing his film. Today, there’s no formula to becoming a star. So you might as well do what you love.
Have you already planned your next project?
I’m in talks with a few filmmakers and I need to decide which project to do next. But I don’t want to get stereotyped, but play interesting characters.
Any plans of doing an international film?
Not yet. I have been too consumed with this project. We have travelled with it to a bunch of film festivals, but I haven’t given Hollywood a thought as of now. All the movies I’m in talks for currently, are in Hindi. But, yes, the walls are getting thinner and people like Priyanka Chopra are doing stuff that’s not been done before.
Given a chance, which actor would you work with in a movie?
I love Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan and would readily do a film with them. Also, because we have grown up watching SRK. My dad (K U Mohanan) shot Don 2, Raees and whenever he’s shooting, I keep going on set. I have met Shah Rukh several times and every time I meet him, I have my fangirl moment. Maybe when I meet him next, I’d talk to him about working in a film together.
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