Vidya Malavade, is known for her notable roles in films and web series and is synonymous with grace, resilience, and versatility. She shot to fame with her pivotal role in the iconic Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De! India, a film that redefined sports dramas in Bollywood. Over the years, she has continued to enchant her fans with her performances in various projects. Be it the celebrated Netflix series Mismatched and SonyLiv’s Dr. Arora, she has effortlessly showcased her ability to adapt to diverse characters and genres. Most recently, she made waves with her role in the movie Sangee, an independent film also starring Gaurav More, Sharib Hashmi, and Sanjay Bishnoi, where she delivered yet another challenging and impactful performance.
In an exclusive conversation with The Movie Mail, Vidya opens up on her journey, her thoughts on choosing unconventional scripts, her memories of working with Shah Rukh Khan, her views on toxicity on social media and her way to handle them.
Edited excerpts:
Q. You’ve been a part of some highly acclaimed web series like Dr. Arora, Mismatched, and films like Chak De! India. However, Sangee is an independent film. What motivated you to choose a project like this, especially in an era where big-budget theatrical films dominate and smaller films struggle to gain exposure during their theatrical release? What guides your choice of scripts?
A. It’s interesting how you’ve analyzed this. Yes, Sangee is a heartwarming, slice-of-life film that resonates deeply. The script was beautifully written, and I felt an emotional connection with the story. While it’s true that smaller films face challenges in gaining exposure, there’s no fixed formula for predicting success. For instance, when we were working on Chak De! India, none of us imagined it would become such a cult classic, running for so long in theaters and earning so much (at the box office). Of course, having Shah Rukh Khan helped, but it was still an unconventional film—a sports drama featuring mostly new faces.
I remember, just a month before Chak De was released, Yash Raj Films had launched Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, a star-studded film that didn’t perform well at the box office. This dampened everyone’s morale. We wondered, “If such a big film couldn’t succeed, what will happen to our offbeat sports film?” But it worked, proving that sometimes, you just can’t predict what will resonate with audiences. For me, it’s always about the story. If it touches my heart, I’m in.
Q. You’ve had the privilege of working with Shah Rukh Khan. Could you share your favourite memory with him?
A. I have a lovely memory from our days in Australia while shooting for Chak De! India. All of us girls—my co-actors—spent our days learning hockey and shooting, working six days a week. It was a rigorous schedule.
When Shah Rukh joined us, he met everyone and asked if we had watched his film Don 2, which had just released at that time. We told him we hadn’t, as we only had one day off each week, leaving little time to explore or watch movies.
What happened next was unforgettable! He surprised all 16 of us by taking us out on what we called a “group date” to watch Don 2. I remember sitting next to him, watching him on-screen as Don while he was right there beside me in real life—it was surreal!
Q. The film Sangee revolves around a man who constantly borrows money from his friends. Have you ever had a similar experience in real life?
A. Thankfully, I no longer need to borrow money, but there was a time during my college years when I did. I wanted to kickstart my modeling career and needed to get a professional portfolio done. Back then, it cost ₹2,500, which was a significant amount. I didn’t feel comfortable asking my parents, fearing they might not approve. So, I borrowed the money from a friend and repaid it in installments. That’s how things were in college—simpler times (smiles).
Q. When you feel low, what instantly uplifts your mood?
A. There are two things that never fail to uplift me—music and perfume. Both have the power to transport you to a different time, place, or memory. A particular fragrance can remind you of a person, while a song can evoke nostalgia. I love old Hindi film songs; Abhi Naa Jao Chhod Kar by Lata Mangeshkar is a favourite. At the same time, my taste is eclectic—I enjoy a wide range of music.
Q. At 51, you look incredibly youthful. Is yoga your secret?
A. Thank you! I believe it’s all about discipline. A healthy body and mind reflect on the outside, so it’s an inside-out process for me. Unfortunately, these days, there’s too much emphasis on external appearances, and not enough on internal health. The focus needs to shift towards how we feel inside, rather than just how we look.
Q. How do you handle negativity, like online trolling, on social media?
A. Oh, I get trolled often! For instance, during the promotional events for Mismatched Season 3, I wore a short pink dress that I thought was lovely. I posted the picture on Instagram, and some news portals picked it up. People started calling me “Barbie,” but then came the trolls, branding me “Buddhi Barbie.”
I laughed it off because, honestly, if trolling makes them happy, so be it. It doesn’t bother me. I’m content with my age, how I look, and how I feel. That’s the mindset we need to adopt—shrug off negativity and find humour in it.
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