Exclusive - Manushi Chhillar says Beauty Queens are considered for glam roles, 'I don’t think I was the natural choice for Maalik'

Manushi Chillar in a still from Maalik

Former Miss World and actress Manushi Chhillar is winning praise for her role of Shalini in Maalik, where she stars opposite the multi-talented Rajkummar Rao.

Her restrained and emotionally complex performance marks a significant shift from the perception of her as just a former beauty queen. But what many don’t know is that the role didn’t land in her lap; rather, she had to test for it.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Manushi spoke about her journey from pageantry to cinema and the importance of screen tests, which she believes are helpful in getting good roles.

Manushi is finally getting the recognition not only as a beauty queen but also as an actor thanks to Maalik.

Manushi is seen opposite Rajkummar Rao in Maalik and the film has drawn attention for its story and ensemble performances.

Also Read: Exclusive - Ram Kapoor on early days in showbiz: 'I lived off Gautami’s income for a whole year''

Fans are praising Manushi for her portrayal of Shalini and saying that it has depth, stillness, and an unexpected intensity.

But what makes her performance even more compelling is the story behind how she landed the role.

During the course of the interview with Moneycontrol, Manushi revealed that she wasn’t the first or obvious choice; rather, she had to audition, test, and convince the makers that she belonged in the film.

“I had to test for it. And the day I tested, there were two scenes that I had to tape. They just gave me a general idea about the scenes and said, ‘Why don’t you just run the dialogue?’ That’s what I did,” she told us.

“The very next day, early in the morning, I sent it to them. I’ve never done something like that before, where you just pick up your phone, no lighting, nothing, and shoot a scene. I didn’t know if I was the right person, but I gave it my best.”

“I don’t think I was the natural choice for something like this. I'm sure they were exploring other people. But I’m very happy it worked out because when you audition, and they’ve liked you and cast you, that feeling is very nice," she said candidly.

Also Read: Maalik Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao tries reinvention and steps into a brutal heartland tale, but it all falls flat

In an industry that often typecasts former beauty pageant winners, Manushi said her experience has been both enlightening and challenging.

Manushi said she is determined to change the narrative of 'beauty queens being just glam dolls on screen' through her work.

“It’s not like when I did my first film I got it on a platter. There were many things being offered to me—big films, big setups—but those roles were mostly glamorous. Prithviraj (her debut movie) happened because I went through a lot of rounds of testing over a couple of years. YRF was testing several girls at that time and they were launching newcomers. It was based on my test that I got the part,” she shared.

That pattern has followed her into Maalik. Even though she's been in the industry for three years, she knew that getting this part would mean starting from scratch.

One of the most persistent challenges Manushi says has been for her is shedding the pageant tag. Miss World 2017 was a title that opened doors but she says it also came with its share of assumptions.

“There’s a certain notion people might have when you come from the world of beauty. They think you only want to do a certain type of film or that you can only play glamorous roles. But that’s okay; unless you’ve really shown people what you can do as an actor, you can’t expect them to know,” she added.

This is where auditions play a pivotal role. Manushi said she believes that testing or auditioning for a role should be normalized for everyone, regardless of their background.

“I think auditions help you grow. They help you get clarity on what’s being expected from the character and what the filmmakers are looking for. It also helps you understand if you fit into that world. I’ve always looked at auditions as something helpful, not something beneath me," she said.

In Maalik, Manushi shares screen space with Rajkummar Rao, one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. She spoke about the experience with a sense of awe and admiration.

"I was obviously nervous because everyone told me that Raj improvises a lot. And I was like, Okay, I’ll have to be quick. But he's amazing. He’s very secure as an actor and as a person," she said.

Manushi further said that Rajkummar Rao is a very helpful co-star to work with.

"He’s someone who’s very giving on set. If there’s something he can do to help the other actor, he will do it. For many of my close-up shots, he would still be there, giving full cues and performing. He would do it for every actor—even if someone had just one line or one scene. There’s no hierarchy with him," she added.

Manushi also addressed the chatter around age gaps in casting, something that has followed her since her debut in Prithviraj and again during Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

“I don’t know where that comes from because there was no pairing in Bade Miyan. These are casting decisions. If the script requires a certain age gap, whether the male is older or the female is, that’s up to the story. It doesn’t make sense to debate it unless it’s truly problematic. And I think those questions should be directed to the filmmakers or casting directors, not the actors," she added.

With the rise of OTT platforms offering more nuanced roles, we asked Manushi if she sees herself gravitating toward streaming content.  Pat comes the reply, "yes."

“For me, it’s never been about the platform. It’s always about the story. All the offers that have come to me so far have been theatrical films. But I’ve always said yes based on the role, what I’m doing in the story and who I’m working with. If there’s an OTT film with a great script and a strong character, I’d love to do it,” she says.

Like any actor carving a space in the industry, Manushi said she has faced rejection - some by choice, some not.

“Before I got Prithviraj, I wasn’t actively reaching out to anyone to be launched. There were a lot of films I didn’t say yes to. But yes, post that, of course there were films I wanted and didn’t get. That happens to everyone. You learn to move on. You get to know people, build relationships, and then maybe work together on something else, she said.

“You can’t expect everything to go your way. That’s not how life works. You keep working, and something will eventually align. And when it does, you’ll be ready.”

Before films, before fame and fashion, Manushi was a serious medical student with a bright academic record. She scored well in the NEET exams and was on track to pursue medicine.

“I loved biology. I even had the highest score in physics, which boosted my rank. But life has its own plans. Once Miss World happened, the kind of exposure I got was different. I couldn’t just ignore it. It was a tough decision, but my parents were very supportive. They told me your education will always be there. But these opportunities may not.”

Inevitably, comparisons have been made between her and other beauty queens turned actors especially Aishwarya Rai, who also transitioned into acting after Miss World.

“Of course, I look up to her. Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, they’re all self-made women who took bold decisions and worked incredibly hard. But I never thought, ‘I want to follow the exact same path.’ I enjoy performing, I enjoy the camera, but I want to write my own story," said Manushi.

"What I admire most is that they earned the power to make their own decisions. That’s what I want too, to be in a place where I have agency over my choices. That’s a powerful place to be.”

Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World 2017 and became the sixth Indian to win the title. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Samrat Prithviraj (2022). Since then, Manushi has appeared in The Great Indian Family and Operation Valentine, with Maalik marking her most acclaimed and performance-driven role to date.