Malavika Mohanan Explained

Malavika Mohanan
Birth Date:4 August 1993
Birth Place:Payyanur, Kerala, India
Alma Mater:Wilson College, Mumbai
Occupation:Actress
Father:K. U. Mohanan
Years Active:2013–present

Malavika Mohanan (born 4 August 1993) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam films. The daughter of cinematographer K. U. Mohanan, she made her acting debut in the Malayalam film Pattam Pole (2013). She gained praise for her starring role in Majid Majidi's Hindi film Beyond the Clouds (2017).[1] [2] She has since played the leading lady in the Malayalam thriller film The Great Father (2017), and the Tamil action films Petta (2019) and Master (2021).

Early life

Malavika Mohanan was born 4 August 1993 and is the daughter of cinematographer K. U. Mohanan.[3] [4] She was born[5] in the town of Payyanur in Kannur district of Kerala and grew up in Mumbai.[6]

Career

2013–2017: Early work

Malavika completed a degree in Mass Media at Wilson College, Mumbai,[7] [8] hoping to emulate her father as a cinematographer or as a director. Post her graduation, while she was contemplating taking up higher studies, she accompanied her father to a commercial shoot for a fairness cream, starring Mammootty. Mammootty subsequently enquired about Malavika's interest in acting, before offering her a role opposite his son, Dulquer Salmaan, in an upcoming Malayalam film.[9] [10] She took time to consider the proposal before passing an audition and accepting terms to star in Pattam Pole (2013), and gradually learned about the process of acting as the shoot progressed. Owing to the original costume designer's illness, she also worked as her own designer for the project.[9] [11] [12] The romantic drama film, which narrated the relationship between a Tamil Brahmin youth and a Christian girl, received mixed reviews and did not perform well at the box office. A critic from Rediff.com noted that Malavika's "peppy girl act is far from being perfect but shows promise", while the Times of India's reviewers suggested that she did a "decent job".[13] [14] During the period, she continued having an interest in fashion, setting up an Indian ethnic fusion fashion blog called "The Scarlet Window".[15] [16]

In her second film, Nirnayakam (2015), she portrayed a ballet dancer, won good reviews but also met with a tepid response commercially.[17] A critic from Sify wrote that she " has nothing much to do other than to look pretty".[18] Another film during the period, Naale opposite Fahadh Faasil, saw her portray a tribal girl but was later dropped midway through production.[19] In 2016, Mohanan worked on her first Kannada film, Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi (2016) opposite a debutant Prithvi.[20] Despite having a low-key release at the box office, the film won good reviews with Malavika's portrayal of the titular role of Varalakshmi being praised by critics.[21] [22] She then featured in the role of a police officer in the crime thriller The Great Father (2017), where she starred alongside an ensemble cast including Mammootty, Arya and Sneha.[23] [24] The film opened to positive reviews and performed well at the box office.[25] [26] [27]

2017–present: Beyond the Clouds and beyond

Malavika's breakthrough as an actress came in her Hindi debut, Majid Majidi's drama film Beyond the Clouds (2017). She played Tara, a poor girl from Mumbai's Dhobi Ghat area.[28] [29] Following her successful audition, Majidi selected her ahead of Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut for the role, which saw her portray the older sister of debutant Ishaan Khatter.[30] [31] [32] She expressed her delight at working with Majidi so early in her career, especially considering that she regularly had to study and write essays on his films during her undergraduate course.[33] For the film, she lost eight kilograms in fifteen days to film for a jail sequence, and opted not to wash her hair for several days on end to get the look of the slum dweller correct.[34] [35] The film was screened across several international festivals, before being released worldwide in April 2018. Malavika won positive reviews for her portrayal, with Filmfare's critic stating "Malavika Mohanan is a natural in front of the camera".[36] A reviewer from The Times of India stated she was "captivating in her honest portrayal" and "skilfully walks the fine line between passionate and melodramatic", while The Hollywood Reporter called her "solid".[37] [38] [39]

Malavika then appeared in three Tamil language films. Her Tamil debut was Karthik Subbaraj's Petta (2019), which would feature her alongside an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. She hired a Tamil-speaking tutor to help her practice her lines.[40] [41] She then went on to appear in the Tamil action thriller film Master (2021) alongside Vijay, in which she played the role of Charulatha, a college lecturer. The film was a commercial success, and became the highest-grossing film in her career.[42] [43] In 2022, she appeared in Maaran, opposite Dhanush. The film opt was released directly on Disney+ Hotstar, and received negative reviews from critics and audience.

Malavika's only 2023 release was the Malayalam romantic drama Christy. Her next release was Pa. Ranjith's Tamil film Thangalaan, a historical action fantasy starring Vikram. It was initially slated for a January 2024 Pongal release,[44] but was delayed to 15 August for Independence Day.[45] Her next release is the Hindi action thriller Yudhra opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi, slated for a 20 September 2024 release. She is also set to make her Telugu debut in the Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab, a horror comedy.

Filmography

Film

+Film
Year Title Role Language Notes
2013 Pattam Pole Riya [46]
2015 Nirnayakam Saral
2016 Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi Varalakshmi [47]
2017 Beyond the Clouds Tara [48]
The Great Father Meera Malayalam
2019 Petta Poongodi Malik [49]
2021 Master Charulatha [50]
2022 Maaran Thara [51]
2023 Christy Christy Malayalam [52]
2024 Thangalaan Aarathi Tamil [53]
Yudhra Nikhat Hindi [54]
TamilFilming [55]
2025 TeluguFilming [56]

Music video

YearSongSingerNote(s)Ref.
2022"Tauba"Payal Dev, BadshahApni Dhun[58]

Awards and nominations

!Year!Film!Award!Category!Result!Ref.
2019Beyond the CloudsAsiavision AwardsActing sensation of the year[59]
2022MasterSIIMA AwardsBest Debut Actress (Tamil)[60]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: It's a dream debut: Malavika Mohanan on her role in 'Beyond the Clouds' . 14 April 2018 .
  2. Web site: Seema Sinha . Malavika Mohanan on Beyond The Clouds: 'Majid Majidi took me to creative spaces I hadn't gone to before' . Firstpost.com . 17 April 2018 . 24 December 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073954/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/malavika-mohanan-on-beyond-the-clouds-majid-majidi-took-me-to-creative-spaces-i-hadnt-gone-to-before-4434603.html . dead.
  3. News: Happy birthday Malavika Mohanan: Here are 10 best pictures of the Petta actor . 29 January 2021 . Hindustan Times . 4 August 2020 . en.
  4. News: Birthday Special! Malavika Mohanan left us swooning with her scintillating looks (PHOTOS) . 29 January 2021 . The Times of India . 4 August 2020 . en.
  5. Web site: മാളവിക മോഹനന്റെ കിടിലൻ ഹോട്ട് ഗ്ലാമറസ് ചിത്രങ്ങൾ കാണാം . 28 March 2020.
  6. News: Malavika mohanan note photos about personal life and movie career . The Indian Express . ml . 4 January 2022 . 30 April 2021.
  7. Web site: Wilson College - Notable Alumni . . 10 December 2023.
  8. News: 5 Things you didn't know about Malavika Mohanan who has replaced Deepika Padukone in Majid Majidi's film . The Times of India . 16 March 2017 . 25 May 2024.
  9. News: Malavika Mohan: a breath of fresh air in Mollywood . The Hindu . 23 October 2013 . 24 December 2018 . Nagarajan . Saraswathy.
  10. News: Dulquer Salmaan and Archana Kavi in Pattam Pole . 28 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130414125045/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-11/news-and-interviews/38434758_1_pattam-pole-dulquer-salmaan-archana-kavi . live . 14 April 2013 . . 16 November 2020.
  11. Web site: Alagappan: Pattam Pole is an out an out commercial film - Rediff.com Movies . Rediff.com . 9 October 2013 . 24 December 2018.
  12. News: Romance and after . The Hindu . 22 August 2013 . 24 December 2018 . George . Vijay.
  13. Web site: Review: Pattam Pole is old wine in new bottle - Rediff.com Movies . Rediff.com . 14 October 2013 . 24 December 2018.
  14. News: Pattom Pole Movie Review : Critic Review of Pattom Pole by Times of India . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  15. Web site: The Scarlet Window . Thescarletwindow.tumblr.com . 24 December 2018.
  16. News: Malavika Mohanan: 5 Things you didn't know about Malavika Mohanan who has replaced Deepika Padukone in Majid Majidi's film . 16 March 2017 . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  17. News: On location: The bonds that matter . The Hindu . 1 January 2015 . 24 December 2018 . George . Vijay.
  18. Web site: Review : Nirnaayakam (2015) . . 7 June 2015 . 24 December 2018 . 10 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150610053610/http://www.sify.com/movies/nirnaayakam-review-malayalam-pghm2Vfbieihe.html . dead.
  19. News: Two roles, poles apart . Deccan Chronicle . 15 October 2016 . 24 December 2018.
  20. News: Gubbi's new film named Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi . Bangalore Mirror . 4 October 2015 . 24 December 2018 . 8 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190408161859/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/preetham-gubbi-naanu-mattu-varalakshmi/articleshow/49219002.cms . dead.
  21. News: Naanu Mathu Varalakshmi Movie Review : Critic Review of Naanu Mathu Varalakshmi . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  22. News: Review: Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi gets to high octane racing after a slow start . The New Indian Express . 24 December 2016 . 24 December 2018.
  23. News: Soman . Deep . 2 October 2016 . the great father: Malavika Mohanan turns stylish cop for The Great Father . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  24. Web site: Malavika: Dulquer's heroine then, Mammootty's co-star now Malavika Mohanan Mammootty The Great Father Malayalam . English.manoramaonline.com . 28 September 2016 . 24 December 2018.
  25. News: The Great Father Review : The movie is worth your money for its daddy-daughter moments and a timely plot . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  26. Web site: Mammootty's 'The Great Father' is the biggest hit of 2017 so far . The News Minute . 25 April 2017 . 24 December 2018 . 27 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190527005348/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mammootty-s-great-father-biggest-hit-2017-so-far-60966 . dead.
  27. Web site: Review : The Great Father review: Strictly for Mammootty die-hard fans (2017) . . 31 March 2017 . 24 December 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073856/http://www.sify.com/movies/the-great-father-review-strictly-for-mammootty-die-hard-fans-review-malayalam-rd5jhhgbafabh.html . dead.
  28. Web site: Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan On Working With Majid Majidi And Preparing For Stardom . Team . FC . 6 April 2018.
  29. Web site: Why you must know who Malavika Mohanan is - Rediff.com Movies . Rediff.com . 20 March 2017 . 24 December 2018.
  30. News: Malavika Mohanan replaces Deepika Padukone . Deccan Chronicle . 14 March 2017 . 24 December 2018.
  31. News: Honoured to have competed with Deepika, Kangana for Beyond the Clouds: Malavika Mohanan . The Indian Express . 18 April 2018 . 24 December 2018.
  32. Web site: Meet the girl who stole the show from Dippy . Asianage.com . 15 March 2017 . 24 December 2018.
  33. News: Dani . Arti Dani . 17 April 2018 . Want to be the torchbearer of change: Malavika Mohanan . Khaleej Times . 24 December 2018.
  34. News: The lengths to which Malavika Mohanan went to film Beyond The Clouds . 14 March 2021 . Times Now . 16 April 2018 . en.
  35. Web site: Garima Kapil – Senior Writer . It's a dream debut: Malavika Mohanan on her role in 'Beyond the Clouds' . Connected To India . 14 April 2018 . 24 December 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224074125/https://www.connectedtoindia.com/its-a-dream-debut-malavika-mohanan-on-her-role-in-beyond-the-clouds-3920.html . dead.
  36. Web site: Movie Review: Beyond The Clouds . filmfare.com . 24 December 2018.
  37. News: Beyond The Clouds Review : As Right As Rain . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  38. News: Review: In 'Beyond the Clouds,' a Brother and Sister Struggle in Mumbai - The New York Times . 19 April 2018 . 24 December 2018 . The New York Times . Kenny . Glenn.
  39. Web site: 'Beyond the Clouds' Review . The Hollywood Reporter . 22 January 2018 . 24 December 2018.
  40. News: LAkshmi . V . 22 October 2018 . Rajini sir is an absolute delight to work with: Malavika Mohanan . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  41. News: Sharma . Riya . 10 November 2018 . Malavika Mohanan: Couldn't get up from my chair when I met Shah Rukh Khan for the first time . The Times of India . 24 December 2018.
  42. Web site: When I think of Vijay sir, the word 'dhairyam' comes to mind: Malavika Mohanan on 'Master' . The Hindu . 11 January 2021 . 16 May 2021.
  43. Web site: 'Master' Box Office Collection: Vijay-Vijay Sethupathi starrer makes it to top 10 Tamil grossers . DNA India . 16 February 2021 . 16 May 2021.
  44. Web site: Vikram's Thangalaan gets a release date as Kamal Haasan's Indian 2 misses out on major holiday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901190856/https://www.ottplay.com/news/vikrams-thangalaan-gets-a-release-date-as-kamal-haasans-indian-2-misses-out-on-major-holiday/edf2973251338 . 1 September 2023 . . 2 July 2023 . 1 September 2023.
  45. News: Thangalaan to hit theatres on Independence Day? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630123547/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Jun/30/thangalaan-to-hit-theatres-on-independence-day . 30 June 2024 . . 30 June 2024 . 1 July 2024.
  46. News: Did you know Malavika Mohanan designed her own costume for Pattam Pole? . 8 May 2022 . The Times of India . 10 May 2021 . en.
  47. News: Sharadhaa . A . 24 December 2016 . Review: Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi gets to high octane racing after a slow start . . 16 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101170941/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2016/dec/24/review-naanu-mattu-varalakshmi-gets-to-high-octane-racing-after-a-slow-start-1552458.html . 1 November 2023.
  48. News: IANS . Malayalam actor Malavika Mohanan to play leading lady in Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds . 8 April 2018 . The Indian Express . 14 March 2017 . en.
  49. News: Malavika to romance Rajinikanth in his film with Karthik Subbaraj . 18 August 2018 . . 12 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180906084711/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/malavika-to-romance-rajinikanths-film-with-karthik-subbaraj/articleshow/65440209.cms . 6 September 2018 . live.
  50. News: 2 October 2019 . Malavika Mohanan joins Thalapathy 64 . . live . 4 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191010112844/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/malavika-mohanan-joins-vijay-vijay-sethupathis-thalapathy-64-109880 . 10 October 2019.
  51. Web site: தனுஷ் - கார்த்திக் நரேன் இணையும் படத்தின் தலைப்பு 'மாறன்' . 28 July 2021 . Puthiyathalaimurai . 28 July 2021 . ta.
  52. News: Malavika Mohanan, Mathew Thomas film titled Christy . 21 January 2023 . . 15 December 2022.
  53. News: Malavika Mohanan shoots for an action sequence for 'Thangalaan' . The Times of India . 16 November 2022 . 18 August 2024.
  54. Web site: Mankad . Himesh . 22 August 2024 . EXCLUSIVE: Yudhra to release on September 20; Excel to launch Siddhant Chaturvedi as 'Angry Young Man'. . 24 August 2024.
  55. News: Panikker . Rohit . 2 August 2024 . Malavika Mohanan On Board Karthi's Sardar 2 . Times Now . 24 August 2024.
  56. Story of Prabhas' 'The Raja Saab' revealed? Director Maruthi reacts to leaked plot . India Today . 18 January 2024 . 1 February 2024.
  57. News: Srivastava . Soumya . 13 August 2020 . Masaba Gupta's Masaba Masaba to premiere on Netflix on August 28 . Hindustan Times . 15 August 2020.
  58. News: 27 June 2022 . Malavika Mohanan Looks Smoking Hot In This All-Black Avatar . 4 November 2022 . News18.
  59. Web site: Log into Facebook . Facebook.
  60. News: SIIMA 2022: Check full list of winners . Deccan Herald . 19 September 2022 . 24 December 2022.

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