Born on August 4, 1992, actress Malavika Mohanan is the daughter of popular cinematographer K. U. Mohanan. Her father is best known for his works in films such as Lust Stories (2018), Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017), Raees (film) (2017), Fukrey (2013), Don (2006) (as Mohanan), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) (where he was an additional cinematographer) (All photos/Malavika Mohanan's Instagram account)
In picture: (L to R) Malavika's brother Aditya, mother Beena, herself and father K. U. Mohanan.
Malavika Mohanan is a graduate in Mass Media from one of Mumbai's most popular colleges - Wilson College.
During her college days, Malavika was part of Chappal Maarungi, a renowned campaign against eve-teasing.
In 2012, Malavika and other Bachelor of Media Studies students of Wilson College, using the chappal (slipper) as a symbol of female empowerment, put a five-foot cutout of a slipper with anti-sexual harassment messages on the college premises. Their signboard read "In case of eve teasing, use one of these."
Well, you will be surprised to know that Malavika Mohanan never planned to be an actress. Being in front of the camera was the last thing on Malavika's mind after her graduation, rather she wanted to work behind the camera as a cinematographer or director, just like her father.
While figuring out whether to work and then go for higher studies or the other way around, her father K. U. Mohanan at that time was shooting for a fairness cream commercial with superstar Mammootty in Mumbai.
Being a huge fan of Mammootty, Malavika and her mother tagged along with Mr. Mohanan to see the Malayalam star. During the shoot, Mammootty approached Malavika to ask if she was interested in acting in a film!
Malavika Mohanan made her acting debut in 2013's Pattam Pole, opposite Mamooty's son, actor Dulquer Salmaan.
Malavika Mohanan didn't rush to sign films after Pattam Pole. Two years after making her debut, she appeared in Nirnnayakam in a supporting role. During the same period, she was also filming for Naale opposite Fahadh Faasil. However, Malavika was dropped midway through production.
In 2016, Malavika Mohanan made her Kannada debut Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi, opposite Prithvi. Though the film did not taste much success on the box office front, Malavika did earn praises for her performance in the film.
Malavika Mohanan's breakthrough as an actress came through 2017's Beyond The Clouds. Her role as Tara, a poor girl from Mumbai's dhobi ghat area, in Majid Majidi's directorial, was lauded by critics and at various film festivals around the globe.
In picture: Malavika Mohanan with Ishaan Khatter, her Beyond The Clouds co-star. The film marked the debut of Ishaan in the film industry.
Well, Malavika's role was earlier offered to Deepika Padukone. The latter had auditioned for the role in Beyond The Clouds, but things did not work out. Malavika is said to have been handpicked by Majidi himself, who is known for films such as Children of Heaven, The Color of Paradise and Baran.
In 2019, Malavika Mohanan made her debut in the Tamil industry with the film Petta, starring superstar Rajinikanth.
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