I chose Cult for its story, not scale: Malaika Vasupal

Kannada actor Malaika Vasupal says her decision to be part of Cult came down to one thing—the strength of the story and her trust in director Anil Kumar, with whom she is collaborating for the second time. The film, releasing on January 23, also stars Zaid Khan and is produced by Loki Cinemas.Malaika admits she was unsure when she first saw Cult’s poster. “It felt raw and bold. I thought it wasn’t my genre,” she says, but was convinced otherwise. “Anil sir was extremely prepared. His writing convinced me to say yes,” she adds. So sure was she of the script that she agreed to the film without discussing fees. “I just said yes. My mother handled the commercials later,” she says. The actor also speaks about her initial apprehension about working with Zaid Khan. “I come from a very simple, middle-class background, and I wondered if our worlds would align,” she says. Watching his debut film Banaras eased those doubts. “Screen presence is everything. People should enjoy watching you,” she says. After months of travelling together for promotions across Karnataka, Malaika says it is Zaid’s passion that stands out. “Many people have money and power, but passion is what matters. I truly feel he will be the next star,” she adds. Describing Cult, she adds that the film does not rely on spectacle or VFX. “It’s a simple love story with strong writing—and that’s what Kannada cinema needs right now,” Malaika stresses.