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News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Shah Rukh Khan's King Makers Reject Navneet Malik For A 'Stupid' Reason
Last Updated: Navneet Malik was recently seen in The Bhootnii, which also starred Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy in the lead. Actor Navneet Malik has revealed that he was approached to play the negative lead in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming movie King. However, The Freelancer actor has now learnt that the makers do not want to cast him now since they are preferring an actor with a much larger social media following than his. Even though Navneet did not reveal the name of the actor who is likely to replace him, he stated that such incidents make him wonder if he should also pay more attention to his Instagram numbers. 'I was approached for the negative lead in King but I have also been hearing that they want to prefer an actor who has more following on social media. This makes me think that even I should pitch myself on social media so that even I can rule this number game," the actor told us. However, Navneet also admitted that he is not disheartened by this rejection. 'I have accepted this somehow. I always knew that rejection might happen someday for some reason. It is a business. They want to know how many people I can bring to the theatre, in comparison to somebody else. It does not feel disheartening but even I want to push myself on social media. I can also do it," he added and shared that he finds being rejected for such reasons very 'stupid". Navneet Malik was recently seen in The Bhootnii, which also starred Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy in the lead. Previously, the actor also showcased his acting skills in movies and shows like, Love Hostel, Heropanti 2, The Freelancer, Deewaniyat, and Aankh Micholi. Talking about King, the film marks the big screen debut of Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan. It also stars Abhay Verma in the lead. Reportedly, Deepika Padukone will also be playing the role of Suhana's mother in this movie. However, there is no confirmation regarding this as of now. First Published: May 22, 2025, 15:46 IST
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Playing Sanjay Dutt was a challenge, but my director made it easier: Navneet Malik
Navneet Malik , a rising star from Rohtak, , set the industry abuzz when he stepped into the iconic shoes of for the recently released film The Bhootnii. This promising actor, known for his work in Love Hostel, Heropanti 2, The Freelancer, Deewaniyat, and Aankh Micholi , shared how he navigated a whirlwind journey from small-town life to Bollywood-style spotlights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Malik said he never imagined he would join showbiz, yet he seized the chance to portray Sanju Baba and thrill fans alongside co-star . In an exclusive chat with us, Malik revealed he stayed consistent and fearless—traits that helped him overcome onscreen jitters and multiple auditions. He described how he switched from modelling to acting and faced the camera head-on, determined to evolve into a bonafide performer. Today, he embraces centre stage, credits his director for guiding him with confidence, and lights up at the mention of working with Roy. His transformation and bold decisions, including chopping off his hair, prove that dedication and timing build success in this ever-competitive industry. Excerpts... How has your journey been in the industry so far? It's such a joyful feeling. I truly feel blessed and incredibly grateful to have reached this point. It's all thanks to consistency—I've never let go of my dreams. I'm still chasing them, and the project I'm filming right now is a reflection of that. The journey has been beautiful, filled with its fair share of ups and downs, but deeply fulfilling. I never imagined I'd be part of this industry, yet the way things have unfolded has been nothing short of amazing. As Roderick Byron would say, it's both cheerful and satisfying. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From a model to an actor today, have you taken any professional training for the same? Yes, I've taken professional training, but becoming a model was never really part of my plan—especially coming from a small town in Haryana. My hometown is called Manila, near Goa, but currently, we live in Rohtak, Haryana. Just two–three years ago, I had no idea what a modelling career even looked like. Things started changing when I moved to Delhi. People began suggesting I try modelling. I was still figuring things out, going from place to place looking for auditions. I attempted quite a few—but to be honest, I was so nervous. Many times, I'd just show up, see the camera, get scared, and return home. That phase was full of uncertainty. Eventually, I began transitioning into acting, and I found it much more enjoyable. I started attending workshops—many of them—and I threw myself into learning. During my modelling career, I worked hard to mentally shift my mindset to think like an actor. Even while I was doing regular campaigns for top brands, I started feeling the urge to evolve. At the peak of my modelling journey, I made a bold decision—to pivot into acting. I even cut my hair as part of the transformation. There were many changes, both internal and external, that I embraced to step into this new phase. And now, I'm loving it. Acting feels like where I truly belong, and I'm enjoying it professionally more than ever. Navneet Malik with Mouni Roy Navneet Malik with Mouni Roy You have shared the screen space with Mouni Roy in the film The Bhootnii, how has it been working with her? She's a wonderful, wonderful co-star, super hard-working. She knows what she does, and she makes her co-star very comfortable. And you don't even feel like you're working with an experienced actor. So, it was a great pleasure for me to work with such a cast. Even Sanjay Dutt sir, Moni Roy and other people. So it was a great pleasure for me to work with Moni Roy as a co-star. Navneet Malik How did you prepare for the role of Sanjay Dutt in the film? The role was definitely challenging. Portraying someone like Sanjay Dutt onscreen comes with a lot of responsibility. But I have to say, my director, Siddhant Sachdev made it a lot easier for me. His support and constant encouragement during the scenes helped me step into the role with confidence. The entire journey was both fulfilling and joyful. This role is truly one of the highlights of my career—something I will always carry with pride. How is the industry for outsider like you? With constant debate of nepotism, you think the star kids have an upper hand over the outsiders? Honestly, I don't think nepotism should be seen as the only reason people succeed or struggle in this industry. Yes, there are production houses that naturally want to support their own—whether it's their kids or relatives. That happens in every field, not just in film. It's human nature to prioritize your own. But I don't think we should label every instance as nepotism. That said, filmmakers and production houses also carry the responsibility of considering the audience. They're not just launching someone—they're shaping public perception and influencing the industry as a whole. The choices they make can impact the credibility of the film industry. From a personal perspective, I believe talent finds its way. If you're truly dedicated, hardworking, and serious about your craft, you'll carve your own path. People do respect sincere actors. It's really about how much effort you're putting into yourself and your work. Timing matters too. Being at the right place, with the right people, at the right time—prepared and ready—that's when opportunities open up. It's not impossible. But consistency is key. Sometimes, after a few projects, people get comfortable and expect the work to come to them. But it doesn't always work like that. You have to keep showing up, keep pushing yourself, until you reach the level where opportunities naturally come your way. So instead of blaming nepotism, I think it's more productive to focus on improving ourselves. Know where you stand, work towards where you want to be—and you'll get there. The industry may be tough, but it's not impossible.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Navneet Malik says The Bhootnii offers everything a notch higher than Stree franchise: ‘Un dono se upar hi hai'
In 2024, Maddock's Stree 2 created a stir at the box office. The film gave fans chills and made them laugh out loud in theatres. This year, another film, The Bhootnii, starring Mouni Roy and Sanjay Dutt, is set to release in cinemas. Since the trailer dropped, some internet users have drawn comparisons to the Stree franchise. (Also Read: Navneet Malik: With big canvas of web-series, release pressure has gone up) However, in a recent interview with Hindustan Times, actor Navneet Malik, who plays the younger version of Sanjay Dutt in the film, addressed these comparisons and stated that The Bhootnii will be better than both Stree and Stree 2. Navneet explained that his character is based on Sanjay Dutt's personal life. Speaking about his experience working on the film, he said, 'The experience was amazing. Obviously, the bigger the star cast, the more fun you have working with them because you share experiences. Overall, we shot it with a lot of ease and fun. Since the story is also a horror-comedy, it was only natural that there was comedy on set too. So we had a great time shooting the film, and the audience will have a great time watching it.' Navneet also addressed the comparisons with the Stree franchise and highlighted what sets The Bhootnii apart. He said, 'Mujhe lagta hai un dono se upar hi hai (I think the film is above both Stree and Stree 2). For example, Stree was only horror-comedy, but in The Bhootnii, you'll see proper action. The film has Sanjay Dutt, it has romance, and many other elements. It's not just a horror-comedy; it's an action-horror-comedy. Sanjay sir is doing horror-comedy for the first time, so it's an overall package for the masses. Stree was good, but this offers everything a notch higher.' A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) Written and directed by Sidhaant Sachdev and produced by Deepak Mukut and Sanjay Dutt, the film stars Mouni Roy as a ghost named Mohabbat and Sanjay Dutt as a ghost hunter. It also features Sunny Singh, Palak Tiwari and Aasif Khan in key roles. The film is set to clash with Ajay Devgn, Vaani Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh's Raid 2, as both films are scheduled for release on 1 May in cinemas. Navneet made his Bollywood debut in Love Hostel, starring Bobby Deol, Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra. That same year, he appeared in Heropanti 2 alongside Tiger Shroff, playing Tara Sutaria's boyfriend. However, he gained recognition for his role in the series The Freelancer. He has also worked in television shows such as Deewaniyat and Aankh Micholi.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bhootnii actor Navneet Malik reveals he was asked to 'fake relationship' with his co-star 'for publicity'
Actor Navneet Malik , known for his performances in The Freelancer, Heropanti 2, Love Hostel, Deewaniyat, and Aankh Micholi, will soon be seen portraying the young Sanjay Dutt in the much-awaited film The Bhootnii . The actor recently opened up about the pressures that come with being in the industry, including a rather bizarre suggestion he once received. 'Right before one of my earlier projects, someone casually suggested—'Why don't you and your co-star just spark some dating rumours? It'll get people talking, build buzz.' I was like… yeh kya ho raha hai?' he said, recalling the moment with disbelief. 'In Bollywood, it's become a bit of a trend—just a few months before the release, spread that two co-stars are dating. Some people genuinely believe it's a hit formula—romance rumours grab headlines, get you attention, and maybe more eyeballs for the project. For them, it was just another marketing trick, but for me, it felt wrong,' he added. 'Main mazak nahi bana sakta apni personal life ka. I come from a place where relationships actually mean something. I can't fake a connection just to grab attention. Maybe that formula works for some, and that's okay—but it's not me. Mere liye meri izzat, meri sachchai zyada important hai,' he asserted. Talking about how he wants to be perceived, Navneet said, 'I've always believed people should talk about my work. Mujhe yeh sunna hai ki yaar, Navneet ka kaam dekha? Usne kya acting ki hai. Not ya main kisko date kar raha hoon. That shouldn't matter.' 'Haan, I get it—actors are influencers now,' he acknowledged. 'But if I'm influencing anyone, I want to influence them to become better humans, to chase their dreams with honesty. Main yeh nahi chahta ki log sirf yeh jaane ki mere ghar mein kya ho raha hai. I want them to know how hard I've worked to reach here. If something real ever happens in my life, I won't hide it—but I won't use it for publicity either. That's just not me,' he concluded. On the work front, Navneet has impressed audiences with his versatility in The Freelancer, Heropanti 2, Love Hostel, Deewaniyat, and Aankh Micholi. Speaking about playing young Sanjay Dutt in The Bhootnii, he shared, 'Portraying someone like Sanjay Dutt isn't just a role — it's a responsibility that sits heavy on your shoulders. I gave it my 200%, and honestly, it's been nothing short of an honour. Working on this project and stepping into Baba's shoes has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.'
