Sanya Malhotra’s performance as Richa in her latest film Mrs. is receiving widespread praise, with viewers applauding her portrayal of an aspiring dancer trapped in a patriarchal household. Over time, Richa resists oppression, making for a powerful narrative. However, many fans are now questioning why Malhotra has not been offered more leading roles despite her evident talent.
Across social media, fans are expressing their frustration with Bollywood’s failure to fully capitalize on her abilities. One user posted on Instagram, “Sanya Malhotra is arguably the best Hindi actress to have debuted in the last decade, yet the industry has barely given her two theatrical lead roles in the past nine years.” They also pointed out that in an upcoming romantic comedy produced by Dharma, she will be playing second fiddle to Janhvi Kapoor. Commenters were quick to voice their discontent, with one remarking, “Why is she the second lead to Janhvi Kapoor? Bollywood clearly doesn’t understand what the audience wants!” Another fan added, “She is such a great actor and refreshing personality—much better than Janhvi Kapoor.”
There is a growing sentiment that Sanya deserves much more. Fans believe that, with her acting prowess and dancing talent—qualities that are rare in today’s actors—she has the potential to be one of the industry’s top leading ladies. “Directors should see that she’s the next big thing—they’re looking for someone who can act, dance, and hold her own in different genres,” one fan shared.
Yet, there are also frustrations regarding Bollywood’s reliance on nepotism, which has led to many actors from film families dominating lead roles. “It’s much harder for outsiders to land good scripts and substantial roles,” one comment read. Others noted that actresses like Malhotra, Radhika Apte, and Triptii Dimri often shine in content-driven films but are not marketed the way star-driven projects, such as those featuring Alia Bhatt, are.
Directed by Arati Kadav, Mrs. is adapted from the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen and is currently available to stream on ZEE5. The film also stars Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh.
Sanya Malhotra’s filmography includes standout roles in Dangal, Pagglait, Jawan, Ludo, The Photograph, Badhaai Ho, Sam Bahadur, and Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery. Fans can look forward to her upcoming projects, including Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Toaster, and a film with director Anurag Kashyap. In Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, she will share the screen with Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi.
