Mulla in 'Moothon' and now Meena’s daughter in 'Roslin': Sreesanth’s niece Sanjana Dipu on powerful comeback

Many might remember the melancholic young ‘boy,’ Mulla, searching for his elder brother in the critically acclaimed 'Moothon,' starring Nivin Pauly. Nearly a decade later, the actor who portrayed Mulla, Sanjana Dipu, is garnering widespread recognition for her gripping performance in JioHotstar’s latest Malayalam series, 'Roslin.' The series, which also features actors Meena and Vineeth in prominent roles, has quickly captured the attention of audiences.

Directed by Sumesh Nandakumar and penned by Vinayak Sasikumar, a lyricist-turned-screenwriter, 'Roslin' sees Sanjana taking on the titular role of Meena’s daughter, Roslin. The character is haunted by recurring nightmares of a green-eyed man who seems to be bent on her destruction. The Bengaluru-based actor from Ernakulam is deeply moved by the warm reception from the Malayali audience and credits their appreciation for giving her a sense of fulfillment. "Although Moothon brought me critical acclaim and plenty of positive reviews, the love I’m receiving for Roslin is truly unmatched," Sanjana said. "I'm thrilled that both the director and the screenwriter placed such trust in me. It was a big leap of faith, considering they selected me over a Zoom call and audition, and I only met them in person on the first day of shooting."

The actor is currently balancing her acting career with a corporate job. Sanjana reveals that acting has always been her dream. Although her role in 'Moothon' gained her critical recognition, it didn’t lead to the kind of career momentum she had hoped for. "While Moothon brought me fame, I think people were left with an impression that I was from North India and not a Malayali. I sometimes wonder how things might have been different if I had received the same level of recognition in Kerala for my role as Mulla. But I believe everything happens in its own time," she said. Sanjana also believes that her limited involvement in promotional activities for 'Moothon' and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic slowed her career momentum. However, the success of ‘Roslin’ has reignited her passion. She was also part of a Hindi series called 'Bandwalle,' alongside Shalini Pandey, Zahan Kapoor, and Swanand Kirkire, which further expanded her acting portfolio.

Her family has had a significant influence on her career choices. Sanjana shares that cricket runs in her family, with former Indian cricketer and actor Sreesanth being her father’s younger brother. She is also related to TV actress Niveditha and playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan. "There was always a lot of conversation about movies and cricket at home, which made my upbringing all the richer. I was first introduced to a shooting location when I was just six years old. My aunt took me to the location as they had required a child actor. I remember being cranky and insisting on going home instead," she laughed. Her true fascination with acting began when she visited a neighbor’s house and, sitting close to the TV due to her spectacles, watched Shah Rukh Khan in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. "I became curious about how acting worked and what went on behind the scenes. For a while, I even dreamed of becoming Miss Universe, but my height didn't exactly suit that aspiration. So, I decided to follow my heart and pursue acting," she said.

Her parents initially encouraged her to focus on her studies so she could have a backup career, but by then, Sanjana had fallen in love with cinema. "Every week, my parents and I would go to the theater, and I developed a deep appreciation for films," she said.

Sanjana’s big break came when she crossed paths with filmmaker Geethu Mohandas. "I was at Cinepolis to watch ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage,’ and Geethu aunty was there to see ‘Haraamkhor.’ I went up to introduce myself, and for a moment, she just stared at me. We chatted for a while, and I joked with my parents that maybe she was impressed by my looks and would cast me in her next film. The very next day, we got a call from her team," Sanjana said. "She said she wanted me to audition for the role of Mulla in Moothon. My mom told me I’d have to cut my hair for the role, and that I could decide whether I wanted to go for it." She smiles, recalling how proud her parents were of her accomplishment.

When asked about her initial concerns regarding the haircut, Sanjana admits that for a teenager, cutting off long, beautiful hair can be a difficult decision. However, the excitement of landing the role outweighed any doubts. "It was a big opportunity, and I was too thrilled to let a haircut stand in the way," she said.

Looking ahead, Sanjana is eager to pursue a full-time acting career. "Once more roles come my way, I’m ready to dedicate myself fully to acting," she said, her voice full of hope and determination.