The 10 Best Sanya Malhotra Movies, Ranked (2025)

Malhotra’s performance, despite its brevity, is effective. She brings a quiet strength to Neha, making her disappearance impactful, even though the film could have developed her bond with Vikram further. While HIT: The First Case delivers a mediocre crime thriller, it leaves one wishing Malhotra had more to do, as her talent deserved a more substantial role.

9. Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021)

A charming Netflix rom-com set in Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Sundareshwar explores the trials of a long-distance marriage with a fresh, visually rich backdrop.Directed by Vivek Soni, the film tells the story of Meenakshi (Sanya Malhotra) and Sundareshwar (Abhimanyu Dassani), a newlywed couple forced to navigate their relationship across different cities.

Meenakshi is an independent, outspoken woman with a deep love for Rajinikanth films and a rebellious streak against patriarchal traditions. Malhotra brings warmth and conviction to the role, making Meenakshi instantly likable and relatable.Her performance elevates the film, making it one of those Sanya Malhotra movies on OTT that showcases her ability to carry an entire film on her shoulders.

Despite criticism over stereotypical portrayals of Tamil culture, the film offers a visually stunning take on Madurai and its traditions. While it doesn’t entirely succeed in making a strong case for arranged marriage, Meenakshi Sundareshwar remains a lighthearted, feel-good watch, anchored by Malhotra’s engaging screen presence.

8. Love Hostel (2022)

Gritty, violent, and unsettling—Love Hostel immerses Sanya Malhotra in a world where love comes at a deadly cost. Directed by Shanker Raman, this romantic thriller follows a couple on the run, targeted by a ruthless mercenary (Bobby Deol) hired to enforce so-called family honor.

As Jyoti, Malhotra delivers a fearless performance, portraying a woman who refuses to bow down to societal oppression, even when faced with life-threatening consequences. The film which feels like a love story also interrogates the brutal reality of honor killings and the dangerous lengths people go to in the name of tradition.

Malhotra, known for her strong-willed portrayals, pushes her boundaries with Jyoti, a character fueled by both love and desperation. The role demanded intense emotional depth, and Malhotra has spoken about how filming left her emotionally drained, even affecting her sleep. Her performance is raw and honest, capturing the sheer terror and defiance of a woman fighting for her right to live on her own terms. Alongside Vikrant Massey, Malhotra brings vulnerability to a brutal thriller, ensuring her presence lingers on.

7. Kathal (2023)

A satire at it’s centre, Kathal sees Sanya Malhotra in a rare comedic role, playing a determined police officer, Mahima. The film, directed by Yashowardhan Mishra, is set in a small town and revolves around a bizarre case of stolen jackfruits—an investigation that humorously unravels deeper issues of social hierarchy, gender bias, and political influence.

Unlike the stereotypical portrayal of female cops as tough and aggressive, Malhotra’s Mahima is calm, composed, and driven by a strong moral compass.Her character belongs to a backward caste, a fact subtly referenced in the film, particularly when her subordinates discuss it behind her back. Despite facing condescension and patriarchal mindsets within the police force, Mahima navigates her role with intelligence and quiet defiance, proving that strength doesn’t always need to be loud. Malhotra brings a natural charm to the role, balancing humor with poignant moments that highlight systemic discrimination.

One standout scene involves a constable desperately trying to arrange a match for his daughter by pleading with Mahima’s boyfriend—a moment that encapsulates the film’s satirical bite. With Kathal, a Netflix original, Malhotra proves that even in an offbeat comedy, she can make a character feel real, layered, and compelling.

6. Badhaai Ho (2018)

In this Ayushmann Khurrana-led dramedy, Sanya Malhotra plays Renee, a confident and progressive woman who becomes a steady voice of reason. Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, Badhaai Ho revolves around an unusual social dilemma—an older couple expecting a child and the embarrassment their adult son, Nakul (Khurrana), feels about it.

While the premise is built on humor, it also explores deeper themes of family, acceptance, and breaking societal taboos. Though Renee isn’t the focal point, Malhotra makes her presence felt. As Nakul’s supportive girlfriend, she provides him with a much-needed reality check, challenging his immaturity and forcing him to confront his discomfort.

Her relationship with Nakul also adds a parallel narrative, as she navigates her own set of societal pressures, particularly from her mother (played by Sheeba Chaddha), a high-society woman who disapproves of Nakul’s middle-class background.

Despite limited screen time, Malhotra ensures Renee is more than just a love interest. She brings a calm yet assertive energy, balancing Nakul’s emotional turmoil with maturity. Her portrayal reinforces the idea that modern women can be both empathetic and firm, making even a supporting role memorable.

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5. Dangal (2016)

The film that introduced Sanya Malhotra to the world, Dangal remains one of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters. A biographical sports drama directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film tells the story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, highlighting their struggles and triumphs in a male-dominated sport.

Sanya Malhotra played Babita Phogat, bringing raw realism to the role through her dedication and nuanced performance. Malhotra underwent months of rigorous wrestling training to portray Babita’s journey with authenticity. Her transformation into a disciplined athlete was key to her eventually embodying the resilience, determination, and quiet strength of a young woman striving to prove herself.

While Aamir Khan’s portrayal of Mahavir anchored the narrative, Malhotra’s silent yet impactful presence added emotional depth to the film. Her self-controlled expressions and body language conveyed Babita’s evolving relationship with her father and sister, as well as her growth from an ambitious trainee to a confident champion.

Beyond being a conventional sports drama, Dangal challenges gender norms, tackling the deeply ingrained sexism in Indian society. It celebrates women’s empowerment through sports, and Malhotra’s performance played a crucial role in making that message resonate. With this powerful debut, she established herself as a talent to watch.

4. Mrs. (2024)

A turning point in her career, Mrs. sees Sanya Malhotra in her most compelling role yet. Playing a woman trapped in the expectations of marriage and domesticity, she delivers a raw, emotional performance that lingers long after the credits roll.A Hindi adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam movie, The Great Indian Kitchen (2021), Arati Kadav’s Mrs. reflects the stifling reality many women endure, making the audience uncomfortable with its brutal honesty.

While the original film laid the foundation for discussions on gender roles within households, Mrs. carves its own path by highlighting the suffocating monotony of domestic life. Using a series of repetitive, claustrophobic sequences, the film captures the weight of unseen labor and silent suffering. Lines like “Kitchen is the solution to every problem” and “You smell like the kitchen, the sexiest smell in the world” expose the ingrained patriarchy that reduces women to their household roles.

Playing Richa, Malhotra fully inhabits the role, proving her ability to transform silence into a powerful statement. Malhotra’s performance is built on minimal dialogue, relying instead on body language and subtle expressions to convey her frustration, helplessness, and eventual defiance. Under Kadav’s direction, the film simmers with tension, culminating in a moment of quiet rebellion.

3. Pagglait (2021)

A rare film where grief meets self-discovery, Pagglait is a testament to Sanya Malhotra’s talent. As Sandhya, a young widow expected to mourn in a way that fits societal norms, she delivers a performance that is both restrained and rebellious.

Instead of displaying conventional sorrow, Sandhya experiences numbness, hunger, and even amusement, challenging the expectations imposed on her.Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers secrets about her late husband, forcing her to confront not just his past but her own future.

A black comedy at its core, Pagglait uses humor and irony to highlight the absurdity of social customs surrounding grief. The film satirizes how a woman is expected to behave at her husband’s funeral, with every decision she makes being dictated by family members who assume control over her emotions and choices.

The famous line, “Bilkul rona nahin aa raha yaar aur bhook bhi kaske lag rahi hai,” may evoke laughter, but it sharply reflects how even a woman’s grief is shaped by those around her. Malhotra, known for her lively screen presence, effortlessly transitions into Sandhya’s quiet defiance. Her understated performance captures the essence of a woman discovering her agency, making Pagglait a must-watch.

2. Pataakha (2018)

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha is a story of two warring sisters, set in rural Rajasthan. Malhotra sheds her urban persona to play Chhutki, a headstrong, impulsive woman constantly at odds with her sister, Badki, played by Radhika Madan. The film, based on Charan Singh Pathik’s short story Do Behnein, explores their turbulent bond, driven by endless fights yet tied by an unspoken connection. The cinematography by Ranjan Palit captures the raw intensity of their world, immersing the audience in their daily battles.

At first, the film seems like a simple story of sibling rivalry, but as it progresses, it reveals a deeper metaphor. The sisters’ ongoing conflict mirrors the long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting the cycle of aggression and reconciliation.Unlike typical portrayals of sisterhood, Pataakha focuses on conflict rather than warmth. The sisters’ relationship is built on rivalry and constant clashes, yet beneath their fights lies an unspoken bond. Malhotra’s performance anchors the film as she fully commits to the role, meeting its physical and emotional demands with conviction.

1. Photograph (2019)

At the top of the list is Photograph, a movie that encapsulates everything that makes Malhotra special.Directed by Ritesh Batra, the film tells the story of a quiet, almost poetic connection between a struggling photographer (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and a reserved, upper-class woman (Malhotra).

Set against the bustling yet melancholic backdrop of Mumbai, the city itself becomes a silent witness to their delicate, unconventional bond, sheltering them as they navigate their own loneliness and unspoken desires. Malhotra delivers one of her finest performances, bringing depth to her character through restraint, silences, and expressive eyes that convey emotion more powerfully than words.

Her character, Miloni, is a young woman trapped in a life dictated by societal expectations, her quiet demeanor masking a yearning for something beyond the rigid structure of her world.Through Batra’s slow-burn storytelling, Photograph unfolds as a will-they-or-won’t-they romance with a sense of wistful sentimentality, similar to The Lunchbox. The film transforms a familiar love story into a reflection on human connection, memory, and the moments that shape us.

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