Harshaali Malhotra, remembered by an entire generation as little Munni from Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is stepping back into the spotlight after almost a decade. The child star, who became a national favourite at the age of five, is now ready for her next big cinematic chapter, this time in South Indian cinema.
The actor has been cast in Akhanda 2, the sequel to the blockbuster Telugu film Akhanda. Directed by Boyapati Sreenu and featuring veteran star Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead, the film marks Harshaali’s official entry into the Telugu film industry. For fans who have been waiting to see her on screen again, this comeback feels long overdue.
Harshaali had already hinted at her return earlier this year on Instagram, where she introduced her character Janani with an emotional note. In her message, she reflected on the legacy of Munni, writing that the role was “a feeling, a memory, a heartbeat” that stayed with both her and the audience. She shared that while fans kept Munni alive in their hearts, she spent the years preparing quietly learning, growing and waiting for the right moment to return to acting.
Her words struck a deep emotional chord, especially for those who still remember her silent, expressive performance in the 2015 film opposite Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. With Akhanda 2, Harshaali is set to begin a new journey older, prepared and stepping into a world far different from the one she started in, but carrying the same sincerity that made the country fall in love with her.
