Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 17: Kannada actress Malaika Vasupal, who began her Sandalwood journey with the film "Upadhyaksha" after making a mark on the small screen, is now ready for the release of her next venture "Cult". The recently launched song “Ayyo Shivane,” written by director Anil Kumar, features Malaika and actor Zaid Khan and has already drawn wide appreciation—earning Malaika a fresh invitation from Tollywood filmmakers.

Sharing her experience, Malaika recalled her early career. “After the TV serial "Hitler Kalyana", I acted in "Upadhyaksha" and later in "Vidyapati" alongside Nagabhushan. The discipline I learned in television helped me transition smoothly to films,” she said.

Malaika admitted she was initially unsure about "Cult" after seeing Zaid Khan’s intense character poster. “I wondered if I should even do this film. But once I heard the story, I was impressed by the well-written characters and dialogues. The movie doesn’t rely on a grand plot—it’s the performances and character depth that stand out,” she explained.

Comparing her roles, Malaika noted, “In "Vidyapati", I played a glamorous superstar, while in "Upadhyaksha" I portrayed an 18-year-old girl with ease. "Cult" challenged me to showcase my acting skills, with a character that has two contrasting shades—one completely opposite to my own personality.”

Speaking about her co-star, she added, “The audience has loved the chemistry between Zaid Khan and me in ‘Ayyo Shivane.’ Despite being a minister’s son, Zaid is humble and a natural actor. If Rachita Ram has two shades in her role, Zaid’s character has three.”

The melodious “Ayyo Shivane” track is composed by Arjun Janya and sung by Jaskaran Singh of Dwapara fame and Prithvi Bhat. Produced by K V N Productions and presented by Loki Cinemas, "Cult" is set for release soon.