I am learning to navigate the industry on my own terms, says Saiee Manjrekar

For Saiee Manjrekar, cinema was never unfamiliar territory. She began as a child artiste in the Marathi film Kaksparsh, before stepping into the spotlight with her debut in Dabangg 3. She went on to expand her footprint in Telugu cinema with Ghani, opposite Varun Tej, and appeared in Major as the love interest of Adivi Sesh’s character. Now, with The India House, she embraces a new challenge, stepping into the period drama space for the first time. “I love period dramas, and I really wanted to be part of one,” she says. In the film, she plays Sati, a young woman who is “very out there when it comes to opinions and her views.” Speaking to us, Saiee reflects on balancing projects across Hindi and Telugu cinema, the demands of authenticity, and her increasingly work-focused approach to the industry.


‘You have to stay true to the time you’re portraying’

Set in the pre-Independence era, The India House challenged Saiee to trade spontaneity for research-driven restraint. “What was easy for me was that there’s so much data available. You can do so much research about how people dressed, how people spoke,” she says, adding that the film’s setting helped her internalise the world further. “To top that off, the setting, our backdrop of Hampi, really made it easier to get into that time period.” At the same time, instinctive improvisation needed to be reconsidered. “We were shooting this film in Hindi and Telugu both. What gets tricky sometimes is not being able to improvise. With Telugu, I would probably just say my lines as they were given to me. But with Hindi, sometimes in the middle of a scene, I try to improvise or say one line on my own, and that doesn’t work because I’m like, wait, people at that point probably didn’t speak like this,” she explains. “But once you get the hang of it, it’s just about being in that character and believing in that time period and being authentic to it.”

‘I don’t feel the need to constantly be visible anymore’

Reflecting on the pressures that come with being in the public eye, Saiee says her approach has shifted over time. “I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, there was pressure maybe two to three years ago, especially post-COVID. There was this void, and I felt like I needed to be seen more. But right now, I’m in a place where I’m keeping things more private between my life and my work. The opportunities I’m getting are exciting, and I want people to see me for that, not for anything else,” she explains. Acknowledging the scrutiny that comes with the profession, she notes, “Once you’re a public figure, you’re out there for people to judge… your work, your looks, everything. That’s part of it. It depends on how much you let it affect you.”


‘Working in two languages isn’t as challenging as it seems’

Having filmed projects like Major in multiple languages, Saiee approaches bilingual shoots as an opportunity rather than a challenge. “I don’t think it’s too challenging. In fact, it makes the process easier because I know exactly what I’m saying in both languages,” she says. For her, the advantage lies in the ability to carry nuances across takes. “For example, something that came naturally in my Hindi take, like a tone or emotion, we used that in the Telugu take as well,” she adds. “If you look at it as double the work, it’ll bog you down. But if you look at it as something exciting and fun, then that’s what it becomes.” Emphasising that her choices are not language-driven, she notes, “Honestly, I believe it is important that the story is what matters. I’ve never been tied to a language barrier. I would love to work in every language there is.”

‘I’ve always just loved being around horses’

Outside of films, horse riding remains a constant for Saiee, an interest that began early and continues to hold personal significance. “I love it, I’m not trained in it, but I do love horse riding,” she says. Recalling how it started, she adds, “I must’ve been about two or three years old when I picked up the fascination. We used to go to Matheran in Maharashtra on family trips, and one day they just put me on a horse. Since then, that passion has always been there.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”