Remember the little girl who played the younger version of Pooja in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham? Well, nearly 16 years later, Malvika Raaj is all grown up and making her big screen debut in a Telugu film, which releases on June 9. The actress stars opposite debutant Ghanta Ravi, son of politician Ghanta Srinivasa Rao, in the film Jayadev which is being directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee.
“Chala (very) nervous about the film’s release,” confesses Malvika. “I was very stressed during the first few days of the shoot because I wasn’t familiar with the language but the team was very helpful. I am not great yet, but I can now understand Telugu a little,” explains Malvika.
Talking about the opportunity to work in this film, she shares, “Around two years ago, Jayanth and I were to work on a Kannada film, but things didn’t work out. But he approached me when this film started and with him as the director, I jumped at the opportunity without a second thought.”
The granddaughter of Bollywood actor Jagdish Raj and niece of Anita Raj, Malvika grew up in an environment of films since her father was also into filmmaking. While she took a long gap post K3G, she insists that acting was always her calling.
“I grew up around cameras and sets, but after I did my first film as a kid, my father was keen that I complete my graduation before coming into showbiz. Even before graduating, however, I started modelling and that really helped me build my confidence. Throughout, acting always drew me,” shares Malvika, whose sister is well-known designer Sonakshi Raaj.
Malvika was Miss Asia Super Model in 2002, but as she puts it: “Once you taste acting, it’s too hard to let go.”
No wonder then that her debut film, Jayadev is close to her heart. “I didn’t want the acting, dancing, film sets, and the bond with the crew to end. I was pretty sad on the last day of the shoot,” shares Malvika, adding, “Me and Ravi are besties now. We really helped each other grow. I will cherish working in this film.”
