Sanya Malhotra says Jawan girls are celebrating success on WhatsApp group ‘Good to Go Chief’, recalls gatecrashing SRK event: ‘We went in an auto’

“All the girls have a WhatsApp group which we have named ‘Good to Go Chief’ and all of us are writing the same thing– we are overwhelmed!” Sanya tells Indianexpress.com. The film featured the actor as Dr Eeram — seemingly inspired by the life of Dr Kafeel Khan — who is part of Shah Rukh Khan’s vigilante group, along with actors Priyamani, Girija Oak and newcomers Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Lehar Khan and Aaliyah Qureishi.

“We are updating each other all the time, the group is buzzing 24×7. Me, Sanjeeta, Lehar, Aaliyah, Priyamani, Girija, Ashlesha Thakur, we are always in touch. We tell each other, ‘I am going to post this video now, that picture no.’ I did a QnA recently and people were asking me about Sanjeeta, Aaliyah, that I should pass their numbers to them! I feel so happy, because it is their first film. I am so close to these girls, our emotions are intertwined.”

The Dangal dejavu

Sanya says when the debutants asked her how she was feeling after Jawan released, the actor replied that it was quite similar to how she felt when her debut feature film Dangal came out.

“When Dangal came out, I was so new, it was really overwhelming. My mind was not able to process it but now I am going to complete seven years and now I am able to fully process, be able to enjoy this feeling of being a part of a film as massive as Jawan.”

For Sanya, who started her career with the Aamir Khan-starrer, collaborating with her idol Shah Rukh was a dream come true moment that she had to keep mum about. For two years, Sanya says she had to “keep this a secret” and didn’t even let some of her closest friends know of Jawan.

“So many films came and at every promotion, I used to be asked, ‘So how did you feel to be a part of Jawan?’ I used to give such horrible answers! I was dying to share this information– which I hadn’t even shared with a lot of my friends. Right before I was supposed to kickstart my Kathal promotions, I vividly remember on a Sunday when my manager called me, saying that we need to post the release date and  changed motion poster of Jawan! I was like, ‘Are you sure I need to post it?!’ I started jumping!”

Jawan is especially surreal for Sanya as she got the opportunity to act with Shah Rukh, whose press event she had once “gatecrashed”. Sanya says her roommate used to work in a magazine and once she informed the flatmates that Shah Rukh Khan was coming for an event at a hotel in the city.

“So all of us got ready, got in an auto and left to see him! We were basically gatecrashers and sat in the audience! My friend asked him a question and he said, ‘Good question!’ We got so excited! When he was leaving the room, we all looked at each other and said, ‘He smells so good!’ He still does by the way. When they got to know that I was a part of Jawan, they were so thrilled–that’s another WhatsApp group!” she added.