Powerful negative roles need not belong only to men: Mallika Prasad

One character that firmly holds her ground in Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji, is Amma — played by Bengaluru’s own Mallika Prasad. The actor says she found it refreshing to portray a female antagonist in mainstream cinema. “Such powerful negative roles are usually written for men. It’s em powering to see a woman occupy that space,” she notes.

With a strong theatre background, Mallika describes being part of a large-scale franchise as a new and enriching experience. “Working on something with this kind of reach and scale was a learning curve,” she says. For her, acting — regardless of the platform — remains a balance of discipline and emotion. “As an actor, you step into a world that isn’t yours. The values and beliefs may be completely different, yet you must portray them truthfully. At the same time, it’s important to know how to step out of a character. I’ve seen actors hold on to intense roles for too long, and it can affect their health. Acting is a craft. Just as a doctor leaves the operating theatre, an actor must exit a character’s world once the work is done,” she explains. Interestingly, she doesn’t consider fictional darkness the most challenging aspect of her job. “No imagined story can be as disturbing as reality. For artistes, the bigger challenge is telling those real stories with honesty,” she reflects.

Deeply rooted in her hometown, Mallika credits Bengaluru for shaping her personality. “Bengaluru has taught me to be fearless, rebellious, outspoken, and confident. No matter where you go, the spirit of the city stays with you. Every city demands something of you — often you feel the need to change to survive. But Bengaluru is accommodating. You can come from anywhere and still be yourself. It’s open, inclusive, and easygoing,” she says.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”