‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ actor Harshaali Malhotra to make Telugu debut with ‘Akhanda 2’ starring Nandamuri Balakrishna

Actor Harshaali Malhotra, popular for her role of Munni in Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan, has joined the cast of Akhanda 2: Thaandavam.

The upcoming Telugu film is a sequel to the 2021 release Akhanda. Directed by Boyapati Sreenu, who also helmed the first part, the film is slated to hit the big screen on September 25. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead.

Malhotra, 17, will play Janani in the film, which also marks her Telugu debut. Production and distribution company 14 Reels Plus shared Malhotra’s casting news on its official X handle on Wednesday.

Malhotra made her film debut in 2015 with Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan. She featured in the role of Shahida Aziz, better known by the name of Munni. The film emerged as a box office hit and also starred Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

It revolved around Salman Khan’s character, a simple-minded Hanuman devotee, Pawan, who crosses paths with a mute girl, Munni, from Pakistan after she strays accidentally into India. It follows his attempts to unite the child (Malhotra) with her parents across the border.

Before starring in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Malhotra appeared in television serials Qubool Hai and Laut Aao Trisha.

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Sharing the poster of her new film on Instagram, Malhotra said her character Munni has been a “feeling, memory and a heartbeat” for her. But she is now ready to return to the screen with a different role.

“Munni was not just a character, she was a feeling, a memory, a heartbeat-something that stayed with you and with me. After all these years, I’ve held on to your love patiently, silently, and with a heart full of gratitude.” Akhanda 2 will release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages.