Sanya Malhotra: Shah Rukh Khan’s advice helped me during Sam Bahadur shoot

Sanya Malhotra is a leading lady of Bollywood who has carved a niche for herself by starring in critically acclaimed and big-budget films like Dangal, Pagglait, and now Jawan. In a recent interview, she revealed that it was Shah Rukh Khan’s advice that helped her live in the moment on the sets of Sam Bahadur.

Also read: Sanya Malhotra on working with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan: ‘It’s a dream come true’ 

The actress said that getting tips from Shah Rukh and watching him perform closely on the sets of Jawan have altered her career. She said, "He told me, ‘Dimaag zyada lagati hai tu. Dil ki suna kar (You think a lot, try listening to your heart instead).’ I do tend to overthink, so this is not the first time someone told me this,” Sanya told the Indian Express. She also revealed that she got similar advice from filmmaker Anurag Basu while working with him on the film Ludo.

“I think Shah Rukh sir also sensed that and told me. After we shot a scene, he told me that I should listen to my heart not my mind. That really touched me and changed me,” Sanya added.

Also read: Sanya Malhotra spills the beans on Jawan 2, extended version of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer and more 

‘Shah Rukh sir’s advice kept playing in my head’

Expressing the impact that the learnings had on her career, Sanya said that after finishing the shooting of Jawan, she began shooting for Sam Bahadur, and Shah Rukh’s advice stayed with her. “I was completely living in the moment as my character on the sets of Sam Bahadur. Shah Rukh sir’s advice kept playing in my head: ‘Dil ki suno, dimag ki nahi, relax karo,’” she said.

Talking about her Jawan co-star, Shah Rukh, Sanya said, “That was really helpful, especially coming from someone like him. Not just for acting, but for life. You can see it in him as well: that he does what his heart desires. That’s evident in his work and personality. His voice still plays whenever I am in front of the camera.”

Dangal se Jawan tak

Sanya recently shared a throwback video of her recreating the iconic Shah Rukh Khan pose while shooting for Dangal. She had captioned the post with, “Dangal se Jawan tak. Itni shiddat se maine ye manifest kiya hai, ki har zarre ne ye fulfil karne ki saazish ki hai. Kehte hain ki agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho toh puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai.”

Jawan is directed by Atlee and stars Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Aaliyah Qureshi, and many others. Produced by Red Chilles Entertainment, the film, which is Shah Rukh’s second blockbuster hit of the year after Pathaan, is currently in theatres.