From her early fascination with Sarojini Naidu to the challenges of bringing this complex figure to life on screen. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, the multifaceted Malishka Mendonsa opens up about her latest role as the iconic Sarojini Naidu in the highly anticipated web series Freedom at Midnight
In a world where voices are often silenced, one woman’s words have been shaking the status quo—it’s none other than Malishka Mendonsa, aka the very popular RJ Malishka. With her quick wit, infectious laughter and unapologetic charm, she has captured the hearts of millions as the host of Mumbai’s popular radio show, Morning No. 1.
Now, she’s taking on the role of a lifetime as Sarojini Naidu in the highly anticipated web series Freedom at Midnight. So, how could we just miss out on the opportunity? In this exclusive chat with us, the ‘Mumbai Ki Raani’ reflects on her early fascination with Sarojini Naidu, recalling how she dressed up as the iconic poetess as a child. “I had dressed up as Sarojini Naidu when I was a child and I was always fascinated by the way her hair did that particular wave upfront. And I thought she had short hair, but she didn’t. Or that tiger tooth necklace that she wore, which as a kid was a ‘Haathi daant.’ I, however, later figured it was the tiger tooth or the way she wore her sarees, the kind of blouses, the high bindi and all of it.”
The Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi fame acknowledged the challenges of working with prosthetics; she describes it as “a long, arduous, crazy time.” “The prosthetics helped bring her young and old appearances to life. From the face mold, where I had to close my eyes, ears and nose and simply breathe, to the hours spent wearing the prosthetics as older Sarojini, it was physically demanding,” she recalls. Another challenge was portraying scenes that required the actors to wear shawls and jackets in the scorching heat to depict winter. “On such a large-scale production, even a small mistake could delay everything. The logistics of managing so many actors, all portraying historical figures, were complex.”
She, however, found that Sarojini Naidu’s personality resonated with her. “Her warmth, wit and ability to light up a room,” Malishka says. “Working with the cast was a fabulous experience. These were exceptional actors, chosen not only because we resembled the characters but also for our ability to portray them convincingly.”
Despite the difficulties, she appreciates the opportunity to learn and grow as an actress. “I feel like because I played Sarojini, not only did I get an opportunity to be part of a wonderful historical made by Mikhail Advani, but I also got to learn so much about the craft and so much about patience.”
To integrate the literary essence and eloquence of Sarojini Naidu into her performance, she delved into the poetess’s works. “Sarojini was known as the Nightingale of India because she wrote very lyrical poetry… I bought her book, I’ve read her speeches.” She was particularly struck by Sarojini’s voice, noting its “beautiful flow of language” and “clipped” English, which she sought to replicate in her performance.
Mendonsa reflects on Naidu’s relationships with her contemporaries, including Jinnah and Gandhi, highlighting the unique dynamics and camaraderie they shared.
Naidu’s relationship with Jinnah, for instance, was built on mutual respect and friendship. As Mendonsa notes, “Her relationship with Jinnah, for example, is that they’re friends, their contemporaries… At one point, she talks about him as the beacon or the symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity in India.”
Mendonsa also touches on Naidu’s relationship with Gandhi, revealing a fascinating anecdote. “I read somewhere that she nicknamed him Mickey Mouse,” she says, hinting at the affectionate and playful dynamic between the two leaders.
As an actress, the Tumhari Sulu star brought her own unique perspective to the role, drawing from her background in radio. “My experience as an RJ would help me with any kind of vocal work. I think being on the mic when your face is not being shown allows you to portray emotions in so many different ways.” This expertise proved invaluable in capturing Naidu’s vocal presence and charisma.
Going ahead, she delves, “Sarojini Naidu was, of course, a freedom fighter, a poet, a women’s rights activist, a feminist in that sense and she was also a very, I mean, almost a child prodigy. She was very learned and belonged to a family of educated people. She belonged to high society. She had no hesitation in speaking to our leaders of that time, male political leaders, because you’ve hardly seen any other female political freedom fighters.”
To portray Naidu’s strong personality, Malishka drew inspiration from her own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry. “I had to kind of be an extended version of myself because I used to keep saying that this is a modern woman. This is a woman of today. You saw her in saris and bindis, but she was everything and more than a modern woman of today would be with a great voice that was listened to. I brought all these things together also because I feel that, elementarily, in this day and age, I am that person. A lot of women like me exist. Maybe we don’t wear sarees or bindis, or maybe we do. And that’s really that being a strong, independent woman is not just about how you dress but about embodying those qualities in your daily life.”
The Incredibles star’s portrayal of Naidu also highlights her remarkable womanly essence. “She was a lady with a mighty mind if you ask me because, obviously, she decided she figured out that Jinnah’s philosophy did not suit the nation, did not suit perhaps even the women of the nation because she was so much about women’s empowerment.”
As she explored Naidu’s character, she discovered moments where she felt a deep connection to the historical figure. “When they asked me to do this role and when Nikhil explained this to me, I was completely of the opinion that Sarojini Naidu is the modern-day woman that is today,” the Thor: Ragnarok fame says. “In very many ways, I was like, Yes, this is who I am.”
The Dancing Queen star was particularly drawn to Naidu’s confident and charming personality. “She lit up a room and I was like, This is me (She laughs). And most importantly, that she did—at no point did we ever think for a second that Sarojini Naidu or a woman of that time was lesser than a man, even though it was that time.”
Oh and also, she appreciated Naidu’s use of humour as a device to get her point across. “I find that fabulous because I think that is my personality trait also. I’ve used humour on the radio all my life. I find humour a great stabiliser. It puts across your point beautifully. No one can take offense, really, and the job is done.”
Then, she also spoke about how she received a 15- to 20-minute voice note about Sarojini Naidu’s life, interests and personality. She was also told that she might have to learn a bit of Bengali, as Naidu was Bengali but spent most of her life in Hyderabad. She sat down with a Bengali colleague to go through the lines, but they eventually realised that they didn’t need to use them.
Through her research, she discovered that Sarojini Naidu was a woman who held her own among men, walking shoulder to shoulder with them. For Malishka, playing Sarojini Naidu on screen was not just an acting challenge but a tremendous responsibility. She admires how Naidu would often leave the men around her embarrassed, yet impressed, by her sharp wit and fearless humour. “She would say things, even jokingly, that would leave the men around her a bit embarrassed, thinking, ‘Wow, what did she just say?’” Malishka recalls, chuckling. “For example, there’s this one scene where she says, ‘I’m here only to do poetry,’ and everyone looks at each other and laughs.”
One memorable moment for Malishka was during a ballroom scene. “Vallabhbhai and I danced a waltz in our costumes during a break while the crew was setting up,” she recalls. “It was such a lovely moment and I hope it’s captured somewhere.”
