Shaleen Malhotra Steps Behind the Camera While Keeping His Acting Career Alive

Television actor Shaleen Malhotra, best known for shows like Vanshaj, Khatron Ke Khiladi 12, and Arjun, has quietly completed his directorial debut—an emotional, light-hearted series he also wrote and produced under his own banner. Speaking exclusively on November 18, 2025, the actor-turned-filmmaker revealed that the project, co-produced with friend and actor Suyyash Rai, is already in post-production and slated for an early-2026 release on a leading OTT platform. “I have not left acting,” Malhotra clarified, adding that the shift behind the camera was a natural progression rather than an exit from performing.

The idea took root during the industry slowdown of the past few years, when Malhotra found himself revisiting old journals and weaving together thoughts that eventually became a full-fledged script. “I used to write only for myself—never thought of showing it to anyone,” he said. A casual narration to Suyyash turned into an instant collaboration, with the two deciding to self-fund and produce the project to retain complete creative control. “The shoulders are shared,” Malhotra laughed, crediting Rai’s involvement for turning a personal story into a professional venture.

Unlike the current wave of dark thrillers and horror dominating streaming platforms, Malhotra consciously chose a “breath-of-fresh-air” narrative. “Everyone is forced into negatives right now. I wanted something that comes from the heart—relatable, easy to understand, the kind of show people watch in December with Christmas movies,” he explained. The series, shot with seasoned television actors who trusted his vision, is described as emotion-driven rather than technically flashy, with Malhotra often performing scenes himself before explaining them to the cast.

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Having spent over a decade on sets, Malhotra was never the typical “vanity guy”. He was always seen beside the monitor, discussing angles with directors and DOPs, absorbing the craft organically. “Stepping behind the camera felt like a healthy change, not a drastic one,” he said. The biggest relief came in the edit bay—when the footage matched the exact emotion he had visualised while writing. “That’s when I knew it had worked,” he added.

Malhotra joins a growing list of television actors—Divyanka Tripathi, Ankita Lokhande, and Suyyash himself—who have diversified into production and direction, citing familiarity with the ecosystem as the primary reason. “Our world is the set—writers, DOPs, creatives. It’s easier to branch out within the same industry than to start something alien,” he observed.

Insisting that acting remains his core identity, Malhotra promised to return in front of the camera soon. “I don’t think I can ever take the actor out of me. Even while directing, I feel the emotion first—that’s how I communicate with my cast.” With the platform and release date locked, fans can expect Shaleen Malhotra’s heartfelt directorial debut to arrive as an early 2026 treat.

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