Harshaali Malhotra, who captured the nation’s heart as Munni in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is set to make a powerful return to cinema with Akhanda 2. In an exclusive interview with Jeevi from idlebrain.com, the young actress shared insights about her new role, her journey back to the big screen, and the experiences that shaped her as a performer.
Returning to Films With a Key Role in Akhanda 2
Harshaali revealed that she plays Janani, the daughter of Nandamuri Balakrishna’s character. Her portions carry emotional weight as the story revolves around Akhanda coming to her rescue when she lands in danger. “It’s a very important role… Akhanda will come to save me,” she shared.
After a decade-long gap since Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Harshaali said she was waiting for a role that excited her artistically. “I waited because I wanted to do something meaningful. Akhanda 2 felt like the right opportunity,” she explained.
Acting Comes Naturally to Her
Harshaali spoke passionately about her love for acting, calling it her childhood dream. She recalled her intense audition process for Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which involved multiple workshops and selections from thousands of girls. To prepare for the mute role of Munni, she would ask the director to explain entire scenes in detail so she could express everything through her eyes and body language.
Bonding With Balakrishna on Set
The actress described Balakrishna as warm, caring, and protective. “He made me feel so comfortable. He pampered me a lot,” she said, adding that she worked for almost 55–60 days on the film and had a pleasant experience collaborating with the actresses on set as well.
Balancing 12th Grade Studies and Cinema
Currently in Class 12, Harshaali manages her academic commitments alongside her acting assignments through strict time management. Beyond school and films, she trains in Kathak—a skill she believes improves her grace and screen presence. She also named Madhuri Dixit as her ultimate role model for her acting and dance.
Spiritual, Grounded, and Social-Media Conscious
Harshaali briefly touched upon her spiritual beliefs and said her social media is handled by her mother. While she recognizes her celebrity status, she prefers staying grounded and focusing on her craft.
Hyderabad Shoots and Learning Telugu
Having visited Hyderabad multiple times for Akhanda 2, she said the city feels familiar now. One of her biggest challenges, however, was speaking Telugu. “It’s not my native language, so I had to work extra hard on the dialogues,” she admitted.
Comparing Salman Khan and Balakrishna
Reflecting on working with two of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, Harshaali said both Salman Khan and Balakrishna share a similar trait: “They are caring, fun, and make you feel comfortable.”
Looking Ahead
Harshaali is excited for audiences to finally see Akhanda 2, praising Boyapati Srinu’s fast-paced, action-driven direction. With a decade-long gap behind her and a major role ahead, she hopes this marks the beginning of a new chapter in her acting career.
“Akhanda 2 is special for me. I’m waiting eagerly for everyone to watch it,” she concluded
