Malavika Mohanan on Telugu debut with Prabhas’ The Raja Saab: Waited long for it

After making her debut in Bollywood with Yudhra, actor Malavika Mohanan is now preparing to foray into the Telugu film industry. In an exclusive chat with India Today Digital, she shared how there wouldn’t have been a better opportunity than debuting with a Prabhas film. She also spoke about the stardom male superstars enjoy down south and whether that boosts female actors’ careers.
Talking about The Raja Saab, her next film, which is said to be a horror-comedy, Malavika said, “It’s my Telugu debut, and I waited long for it. I wanted the right film to come my way to foray into the industry. I think nothing gets better than Prabhas sir. It’s in the rom-com space, a very fun, easy film. It’s light-hearted and will cater to a universal audience. We are still shooting for it, and the film should be released in April next year. I am really looking forward to it.”
From Dulquer Salmaan to Vijay Sethupathi, Dhanush, and Vikram, Malavika Mohanan has been paired opposite all the top male actors. These stars enjoy massive popularity in their states, leading to their films doing good business. It’s also noted how even good films usually do not have meaty parts for women actors. Agreeing with this, the actor shared that only well-written roles can bring longevity to their careers, not the buzz created by these stars.
“Now, I have reached a phase where only well-written parts excite me. The announcement of a film with a big actor does create a lot of buzz, but I call it borrowed stardom. When there is a star playing the hero, it guarantees an audience, as they do have a pull. However, for females, if the part is not meaty enough, as soon as one walks out of the theatre, they will forget all about you. There would be an initial flurry of messages and social media buzz, but it all goes away soon. Only well-written parts stay with the audiences,” Malavika shared.
Naming actors like Madhuri Dixit, Rekha, and Sridevi, the Thangalaan actor said that while people love them for their beauty and personality, it’s their roles that made them household names.
“It’s thus my wish to play strong and memorable parts. Honestly, it’s about the choices you make from the things offered to you. I deliberately want to play better-written roles at this stage of my career,” she added.
The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, will release on April 10, 2025.