Exclusive Interview-  Navneet Malik on Playing Young Sanjay Dutt in ‘The Bhootni’

Navneet Malik on Playing Young Sanjay Dutt: Bollywood is all set to welcome its next big entertainer, The Bhootni, starring Sanjay Dutt, Palak Tiwari, Mouni Roy, and Sunny Singh. Adding another layer to this intriguing film is actor Navneet Malik, who plays the younger version of Sanjay Dutt. Known for his roles in various TV shows, web series, and his appearance in Heropanti 2, Navneet is now stepping into one of his most prominent roles yet. In a candid chat, he opens up about portraying an icon like Sanjay Dutt, working with co-stars Mouni Roy and Tara Sutaria, and his inspiring journey in the industry.

• Tell us about your role in The Bhootni?

I’m playing the younger version of Sanjay Dutt’s character. While the story isn’t directly about his real life, my character is definitely inspired by his personality and aura. This is one of the biggest highlights of my career so far, and I’m genuinely excited to bring it to the audience.

• Portraying a legend like Sanjay Dutt is a big responsibility. How did you prepare?

Honestly, it took a lot of research and dedication. I closely studied his body language — the way he talks, walks, his expressions, even the subtle movements of his eyes and lips. That iconic Sanjay Dutt walk? I made sure to get that right too. I’m really thankful to our director, Sidhaant Sachdev, for guiding me throughout. His vision helped shape my performance.

• You’ve worked with Tara Sutaria in Heropanti 2 and now with Mouni Roy in The Bhootni. How were these experiences?

Heropanti 2 was my early break in the industry, and even though I was new, Tara and Tiger made me feel extremely comfortable. The set environment was warm and professional.
Working with Mouni Roy has been just as amazing. She’s not only a talented actor but also incredibly grounded. Her energy and sense of humor brought a lot of positivity on set, making the work experience truly enjoyable.

• There's a lot of buzz about your romantic chemistry with Mouni in the film. What do you have to say about that?

(laughs) You’ll have to watch the film to see that for yourself! But yes, The Bhootni is a complete package – it’s got horror, comedy, action, romance – everything. So I’m sure the audience will have a blast.

• You've worked across TV, ads, web series, and now films. How do you see your journey so far?

It’s been a rollercoaster. I come from a small village in Haryana. I was working as a civil engineer in Delhi, but I lost my job due to some political reasons. That’s when I took a leap of faith and tried modeling. I auditioned in Delhi but got rejected. I had no money, yet when I heard the same audition was happening in Kolkata, I got on a train without a ticket – hiding in the bathroom to travel for 24 hours.

Luckily, I got selected there, and that’s how I landed in Mumbai. I stayed in a 5-star hotel (Sofitel) for the first time, trained with people from around the world, and even represented India internationally, finishing in the top 6.

But when I returned to India, the real struggle began. I had no place to stay – I even slept on Marine Drive at times. I built my own little shelter with stuff I found in scrap shops – old magazines, used mattresses. That’s how I lived.

Eventually, I got modeling projects for brands like Harley Davidson and Raymond, but acting was a whole different game. I didn’t know how to perform in front of the camera. I learned everything from scratch – watched others, made mistakes, and joined classes. And now, The Bhootni is my 9th project.

• What message would you like to share with your fans?

Acting is such a beautiful medium — you get to live so many lives through different characters.
To everyone reading this, I’d say – please go and watch The Bhootni. It’s a full-on family entertainer – with fear, laughter, emotion, and drama. I promise you’ll leave the theatre with a smile.

The Bhootni is all set to release in theatres on April 18. Don’t miss it!

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