A Woman Of Characters

In a career spanning just seven years, Sanya Malhotra has created a niche for herself in the industry portraying various shades of fearless female characters on-screen. The powerhouse performer goes down the memory lane and discusses 5 characters she has brought to life in these years and how each shaped her as an actor

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BABITA PHOGAT 

Dangal, 2016 

Apart from being emotionally overwhelmed to be part of such a big project and scared of losing the opportunity, it was physically challenging to become Babita Phogat. It was a biopic, so there would be comparisons and we had to be extra cautious about getting the body language right. Wrestling is a very difficult sport and although I am seen wrestling on screen for just about a minute, I trained for a good eleven months. While training, both Fatima and I had multiple injuries, my knees were gone, but we would initially not tell the production people or the ADs that we were hurting. But eventually they got us physiotherapists both on sets and off it. Also, I was very harsh on myself while shooting the movie. Working with Aamir Khan wasn’t challenging at all. When he met us at the audition, I could not recognise him; he weighed about 110 kg and was already looking every bit the part — we didn’t meet Aamir Khan the star, we met Mahavir Phogat. But what he did with that role, the way he transformed into the character, became a lesson. Working on Dangal and with Aamir Khan became a conditioning whereby I never reach a set without doing my homework.

CHHUTKI 

Pataakha, 2018 

Chhutki is so loud and spiteful. She is not me at all. And that is why I wanted to audition for that role. Those were the initial days and I wanted to challenge myself and see what my capabilities as an actor are. For