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With a natural charm and a lively screen presence, Mallika Chhabra brings warmth and wit to her role as Nisha in Shashank Khaitan’s recently released Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. The film, led by Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, also features Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra, and Maniesh Paul in pivotal roles. For Mallika, who describes herself as “relatively new to Mumbai,” the journey to Dharma Productions began unexpectedly.
“I had previously worked on a show called Karmma Calling, directed by Ruchi Narain for Hotstar. Shashank had watched it and told me that when he saw the last few minutes introducing my character, he just had a feeling he needed to reach out and meet this actor — and that’s how I ended up playing Nisha,” she recalls. Reflecting on the experience, she adds, “A lot of times, actors feel that their role or screen time defines their worth… but it’s not about that. You don’t act for screen time; you act because you love the craft.”
Shooting for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari was a joyful experience for Mallika, especially during the film’s festive sequences. “One of the most fun moments while shooting was the Panwadi song. Since it’s a Holi song, it brought us so much joy. Everything you imagine about a Holi sequence — putting colors on each other, dancing, laughing — it was all there,” she shares. She fondly recalls the final day of the shoot, when the energy on set turned into a spontaneous celebration. “Shashank’s wife Nalini also came to set that day, and the entire crew joined in — it turned into something real and beautiful. It was shot just before Holi 2025, and I think that was the highlight — it’s going to be the greatest Holi I’ve ever played.”
Beyond the camera, Mallika found genuine connections with her co-stars, each relationship adding to her experience on set. “Varun was like a friend and therapist to me — every time I doubted myself, he was there to talk me through it. Varun and Shashank were literally my therapists!” she laughs. “With Janhvi, we bonded over food, and Sanya and I spent an entire flight chatting about our personal lives. Abhinav and Maniesh had me laughing constantly, and Rohit is such a sweetheart — always with his healthy snacks!” she says with affection. The camaraderie and warmth among the team mirrored the spirit of the film — playful, heartfelt, and full of color.
Describing her character, Mallika says, “I’d describe Nisha as goofy, flirty, and warm. She’s a little devious but also has a big heart — and honestly, she’s a lot like me.” That blend of humor and sincerity shines through in her performance, making Nisha both relatable and entertaining. As for what success means to her now, Mallika sums it up thoughtfully: “Success, at this stage, means having the space and opportunity to work on more projects with amazing artists. I’m still in a learning phase, but there’s also a lot I bring to the table — my perspective, energy, and willingness to grow. If that resonates with people, that’s success to me.”
