BH Harsh
9. Kathal
Playing a sincere cop stuck with an absurd case, Sanya earnestly moulded herself to the quirks of this small-town comedy, delivering an impressive performance
8. Ludo
In the wacky caper by Anurag Basu, Sanya played Shruti, a young woman still figuring her priorities out even as she finds herself on a verge of a scandal, lending the role just the right amount of innocence and gravitas
7. Love Hostel
A gritty love story capturing the untold harsh realities of rural heartlands, Love Hostel features a stellar performance from Sanya who looked every bit as rooted and intense as her counterparts
6. Dangal
Sharing screen with a stalwart like Aamir Khan, Sanya made a striking debut in Dangal, paving path for a career that always prioritised unconventional roles and quality over quantity
5. Shakuntala Devi
Again, in a film that essentially revolves around Vidya Balan's Shakuntala, Sanya held her own, giving a relatable edge to Anu, an angsty daughter struggling to reconcile with her mother
4. Patakha
Coming right off Dangal, Sanya surprised everyone with her act in Patakha, brilliantly nailing the earthiness and physicality of a young village girl who shares an intense love-hate relationship with her sister
3. Mrs
If Arati Kadav’s film could trigger such a strong discourse on patriarchy, gender roles and women’s invisible labour, Sanya Malhotra’s career-defining act had a big part to play in it
2. Photograph
Ritesh Batra's sophomore film features a truly underrated performance from Sanya who plays Miloni, an introverted young woman who finds love and comfort in the most unlikely of places, with disarming vulnerability
1. Pagglait
In what's arguably the most complex role of her career, Sanya delivered a pitch-perfect performance as a young widow, for whom her husband's untimely demise becomes a catalyst for her journey of self-discovery