Actress Malvi Malhotra believes that performing in different languages requires far more than learning dialogue, saying that each film industry brings its own storytelling traditions, emotional nuances and approach to acting.
Malvi, who plays Rama in the Telugu crime-comedy ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’, has worked across Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil cinema. She says these experiences have helped her become more flexible as a performer and better understand how actors communicate on screen.
According to the actress, language influences the timing of a scene, the expression of emotions and the way performers respond to their co-stars. While the techniques may differ between industries, she believes the emotional truth of a character remains universal.
“Every industry has its own working culture, rhythm and storytelling language, and being exposed to that has made me more adaptable,” she explained, reflecting on her experience working across regional cinema.
Discussing Rama, Malvi said the character appealed to her because she has an independent identity and an emotional journey of her own. Rather than existing solely to support the male protagonist, Rama has her own vulnerabilities, strengths and motivations.
The actress said some elements of the role felt familiar, while others required her to move beyond her natural personality. Her priority was to make the character believable and ensure that her actions reflected genuine human emotions.
Malvi also described her approach to preparing for a role. Instead of deciding on a character’s mannerisms immediately, she first considers the person’s background, circumstances, fears and motivations.
Her theatre experience has taught her to pay attention to subtle details, allowing physical expressions and gestures to emerge naturally from the character’s inner world. She prefers performances that feel spontaneous rather than relying on exaggerated mannerisms.
Explaining what attracted her to ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’, Malvi said the story and its characters were the main reasons she joined the project. She looks for scripts in which every character contributes meaningfully to the narrative, rather than choosing projects based only on their scale or visual appeal.
Known for her work in ‘Abhuyam’, ‘Thiragabadara Sami’, ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’ and ‘Haye Bibiye Kithe Fas Gaye’, Malvi continues to explore opportunities across different film industries.