Karanvir Malhotra is a rising star in the world of digital storytelling. He has worked on projects in a wide range of genres, including sports dramas and intense psychological thrillers. In a free-flowing conversation, he talked about his journey, the defining moments in his career, scary things that happened on set, and what really motivates him as an actor.
Your first Amazon Prime Original, The Forgotten Army, was directed by Kabir Khan. How did it feel to be a part of such a big project so early in your career?
Selection Day was technically my first show because it was the first one to come out, but I actually shot The Forgotten Army before that. It was amazing to work with Kabir Khan; he’s like a mentor. He knows a lot because he has worked on documentaries and has seen a lot of the world. I was like a sponge on set, soaking up everything I could. And to be honest, it was strange to be in Amazon’s most expensive show at the time, so early in my career. I’m really thankful for that chance.
Did you have a moment in your journey that gave you new confidence as an actor?
I think I’m going through that right now. The love, messages, and thanks I’ve been getting lately, not just from fans but also from people in the business, have been too much to handle. In the last ten days, I don’t think I’ve ever said “thank you” so much! It seems like all those years of hard work and waiting are finally paying off.
Your most recent project is a psychological horror story that takes place in an empty country hospital. Did anything really creepy happen on set?
A lot, huh? Unusual events continued to occur directly outside my vanity van. Ten to twelve cats would constantly be hanging around, but only outside my door. They even started making jokes, asking me if I was bringing them from home or feeding them. However, given that cats are known to be energetically sensitive, it did frighten me.
There were already rumors of disturbing incidents and fatalities from the past inside the hospital, where the shooting took place. I kept having little strange things happen to me. I’m very careful about where I keep my belongings, and once I left a ring in my van, but it vanished. After days of searching, it suddenly reappeared in the same location! I was warned by my family not to wear that ring ever again. So, yes, there was a spooky atmosphere throughout the entire shoot.
Your work transcends genres, from Selection Day to your most recent horror-thriller. How do you decide which projects to take on?
It always boils down to quality writing for me. The emphasis has always been on excellent writing because I have experience working with independent theater groups in Melbourne and was a member of the Australian Shakespeare Company. A writer’s level of skill can be determined by just one page, which includes their use of punctuation, pauses, and language.
Writing well gives you a foundation on which to build a strong performance. I was therefore excited on Selection Day. Because it was based on the book by Aravind Adiga (The White Tiger author), you can be sure that the story is in good hands.
You have primarily worked with Amazon Prime and Netflix. Do you think working for OTT differs from working for traditional TV series or movies?
To be honest, I haven’t yet worked on any motion pictures. My five projects to date have all been for Amazon Prime or Netflix. Therefore, I am unable to compare the two worlds. However, I’m eager to work on a motion picture someday. I believe that I won’t be able to compare the differences with any degree of seriousness until I’ve gone through that.
Was there a moment when you felt, “I’ve arrived as an actor”?
Yes, after Selection Day was released. I suddenly started getting recognised at airports, cafes, restaurants… strangers would come up to me to ask for photos. I remember once at the Mumbai airport, an airline staff member recognised me, and they took me through the VIP section. That was a surreal moment.
But the one that stays with me the most is when kids from a nearby school used to come up to me with cricket bats for autographs. They believed I was a real cricketer, not an actor! Their innocent admiration meant a lot to me. For me, when children with their pure, unfiltered perception recognise and connect with your work, that feels like true success.
Opportunities abound in the OTT market, but there is fierce competition as well. How do you maintain your individuality?
Sacred Games and Inside Edge had just begun to stream when I relocated to Mumbai in 2017. I had the good fortune to be a part of the first few original series on both Netflix and Amazon Prime. The Forgotten Army was one of the first major Amazon originals, and Selection Day was one of the first Netflix originals.
There is undoubtedly competition, but I think you should look within rather than look outside. Consider why you wish to participate in a project. Which stories would you like to share? As an actor, what excites you? Making the right decisions will become clearer to you as you delve deeper into yourself.
What kinds of roles or stories most interest you going forward?
Tales with rich characters, fresh viewpoints, and depth. Scripts that push me and make me try new things are my favourite. I’m eager to contribute to any project that has strong writing at its core.
Concluding remarks
The journey of Karanvir Malhotra is a testament to perseverance, fortitude, and a keen sense of narrative. From working with Kabir Khan to being misidentified by schoolchildren as a real-life cricket player to now examining the darker aspects of human nature in thrillers, he never ceases to astound viewers. Without a doubt, Karanvir is an actor to keep an eye on in the near future for both the big screen and over-the-top (OTT) platforms because of his commitment to writing meaningful scripts and his willingness to try out different genres.