Get to know... Malishka Mendonsa

RJ Malishka Mendonsa (@MyMalishka) loved learning languages in school. She’s listening to DJ Black Coffee’s music and remembering the time she worked with SRK

Get to know... Malishka Mendonsa

Currently, I am

Playing freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu in the series Freedom at Midnight.

High point in life

Playing my childhood role model on screen.

Low point in life

When my sister and I were little, there was a time when we thought we may not have a roof over our heads.

On my playlist

AR Rahman’s Rehna Tu, from Delhi 6 (2009). Drive, by Black Coffee and David Guetta (I discovered DJ Black Coffee aka Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo when I was in South Africa, and loved his songs). And, any song by Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan and Abida Parveen.

One thing I would never buy

Packaged drinking water. I carry my water bottle.

Today, I’m craving

Makki ki roti and sarson da saag with white butter.

Last thing I ordered online

Juicy strawberries and fresh cream.

App I check before going to bed

YouTube.

Advice I’d give my 18-year-old self

You can go to unbelievably wonderful places. Carry on and wear sunscreen.

My favourite subject in school

All the languages.

I’d swipe right on

A man who has paid for his therapy sessions, and who follows through with what he says.

My secret skill is

To convince you to see my point of view.

A superpower I wish I had

To know, without a doubt, what makes one tick.

My favourite Sunday memory

Climbing the guava tree in our garden with my sister, organising skits with my neighbour’s kids and performing them for a local audience. Also, cooking on a wood-fired stove with them.

My plans for next Sunday

A massage, a movie and chill time with family.

My most star-struck moment

Sitting next to Shah Rukh Khan at a press conference for Hum Hain Lajawab, the Hindi version of The Incredibles, in 2004. We both voiced animated characters.

My favourite bad habit

Not letting my friends leave my house for as long as possible.

If I could travel back or forward in time, I’d…

Go back to the time of India’s freedom struggle as a fly on the wall of every room where important decisions were made.

The best thing about fame

Receiving love, being recognised and approached by people anywhere in the world.

The worst thing about fame

One cannot relax in public places. There is no privacy.