When Kundali Bhagya introduced the fiery and unapologetic character of Malla, played by Sharain Khanduja, no one could have predicted the wave of passionate reactions that would follow. Malla wasn’t the kind of role designed to make everyone fall in love instantly — she was flawed, sharp-tongued, and often stood on the wrong side of the storyline’s moral compass. And in the world of Indian television, that meant one thing: the hate messages started coming in from day one.

Sharain knew this might happen. As an actress stepping into a complex negative role, she had braced herself for a storm. But nothing could fully prepare her for the sheer volume of comments and messages flooding her social media. Some were from viewers who couldn’t separate character from actor, accusing her personally of the schemes and betrayals her on-screen alter ego committed. Others hurled insults simply because Malla had dared to hurt the leads they adored.

“It was overwhelming at first,” Sharain admitted in a recent interview. “You know in your head that it’s just acting, but when strangers call you names or send paragraphs of hate, it can get under your skin. You start wondering, ‘Do they really think this is me?’”

The turning point came with her mother’s reaction. Like many parents, Mrs. Khanduja wasn’t fully immersed in the behind-the-scenes workings of daily soap drama. She tuned in every evening, watched Malla’s antics, and initially found herself feeling uneasy. “She would say, ‘Why are you always fighting and shouting? Why can’t they give you nice scenes?’” Sharain recalled with a laugh.

But as the days passed and her mother began to understand the depth of the role, everything shifted. She started praising her daughter’s ability to make viewers react so strongly. “She told me, ‘If they hate Malla, it means you’re doing your job perfectly,’” Sharain said. “That was the best reassurance I could have gotten.”

The mother’s pride became even more apparent after one particularly intense emotional scene. In that episode, Malla, for the first time, showed a vulnerable side — breaking down in private after being humiliated in front of the family. The moment was raw, stripped of her usual defiance, and it struck a chord with many viewers who had only seen her as a troublemaker.

“When the scene aired, my mom called me immediately,” Sharain shared. “‘I cried with you,’ she said. That meant more than any award or praise from the industry.”

That emotional scene also marked the beginning of a gradual shift in how some viewers saw Malla. Social media reactions softened slightly, with a few people admitting they felt sorry for her, even if they still disliked her choices. Sharain sees that as a small victory — proof that no character is entirely beyond redemption in the audience’s eyes.

Another unexpected source of strength for Sharain during this rollercoaster has been her bond with co-star Mannat Murgai, who plays a key role opposite her. The two women clicked almost instantly off-screen, despite their characters often being at odds in the storyline. Between takes, they share jokes, run lines together, and even discuss ways to make their confrontations more convincing.

“Mannat is like my little sister on set,” Sharain said warmly. “We look out for each other. I think that trust shows when we’re acting — we can go all out in our fight scenes because we know neither of us will cross a line.”

That camaraderie has made the harsher parts of playing Malla more bearable. In the entertainment industry, it’s rare to find such genuine friendships in the middle of competitive casting calls and tight shooting schedules. Yet, for Sharain, having someone like Mannat by her side has been a grounding force.

The actress also shared how the hate she receives has, oddly enough, made her more confident. “In the beginning, I used to take screenshots and send them to friends, asking, ‘Why are they saying this?’ Now, I don’t even flinch. I remind myself that it’s not Sharain they’re attacking — it’s Malla.”

She’s learned to channel that audience intensity into her performance. If the comments say Malla’s smug smile made them furious, she’ll make it just a little more infuriating in the next episode. If they complain her voice drips with arrogance, she’ll lean into it further. “It’s like fuel,” she said with a mischievous grin. “If they’re reacting this much, then I’m doing something right.”

Even so, she doesn’t dismiss the emotional toll that can come with prolonged exposure to online negativity. She’s mindful of her mental health, sometimes taking breaks from reading comments, and spending more time with family or indulging in hobbies that remind her of life beyond the screen.

Her advice to younger actors stepping into negative roles is simple: “Build a strong sense of self. Know who you are outside of your character. And remember — the hate is for the role, not for you as a person.”

Looking back, Sharain sees her journey as Malla as one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of her career so far. It’s challenged her to explore parts of herself she didn’t know existed — the ability to hold her own in a room full of senior actors, the courage to embrace public criticism, and the skill to find humanity in even the most flawed characters.

She’s also deeply aware of the privilege of being part of a show that commands such a passionate audience. “Not every actor gets to be in a position where people care enough to send you paragraphs — even if those paragraphs are full of insults,” she said with a laugh. “It means they’re invested. And that’s what we work for.”

As for what’s next for Malla, Sharain remains tight-lipped. She hints at some big twists ahead, scenes that will test Malla’s loyalties and possibly reveal sides of her that no one has seen before. Whether the audience ends up softening toward her or doubling down on their dislike, Sharain is ready for whatever comes.

Because at the end of the day, she knows she’s telling a story — one that sparks emotion, conversation, and debate. And for any actor worth their salt, that’s the greatest reward.

For now, Sharain is content to keep bringing Malla to life, scene by scene, with the same fire and complexity that made her such a lightning rod in the first place. The hate may never stop, but neither will her commitment to the craft.

And somewhere, in the quiet of her home after a long day on set, she knows there’s one viewer whose opinion will always matter most — the mother who now watches every episode, not with unease, but with pride in the daughter who dared to take on a role that made the whole country talk.