The cast and creators of the psychological thriller Mala made waves at New York Comic Con this past weekend. Featured as the first-ever Indian-themed panel in the convention’s history. The film, which blends supernatural suspense with elements of ancient Indian tantric practices and mythos, was a highlight for fans seeking fresh, globally-inspired horror.
Interviews with the Cast from New York Comic Con
The film’s unique premise, following a woman who inherits an abandoned island resort and uncovers a family curse intertwined with tantric rituals, was spearheaded by its writer, producer, and director. The actors shared insights into their complex roles and the experience of working on a film that delves into such culturally specific, intense subject matter.
Indigo Sabharwal (Reema)
As the lead character, Reema, actress Indigo Sabharwal, who is also part of the producing team explained her connection to the protagonist’s journey. Reema’s arc involves inheriting the resort, investigating her aunt’s death, and ultimately confronting an ancient family curse. Sabharwal described Reema as a character driven by an emotional search for identity that morphs into a fight for survival. She highlighted the pressure and reward of bringing an Indian-centric title character to a major American convention for the first time.
Gisele George (Lola) and Nikhil Kamkolkar (Robert)
Gisele George, who plays Lola, and Nikhil Kamkolkar, who plays Robert, spoke about the experience of their characters, Reema’s friends, who are thrust into the terrifying mystery. George mentioned that the group dynamic is critical. As their skepticism and eventual terror serve as the audience’s entry point into the bizarre island community. Kamkolkar spoke about the difficulty of maintaining a sense of realism while surrounded by supernatural elements. Suggesting their characters are crucial for grounding the escalating fright.
Nirvan Patnaik (Kalyan) and Nehru Sabharwal (Shiv)
Actors Nirvan Patnaik (Kalyan) and Nehru Sabharwal (Shiv) offered a perspective on playing characters connected to the island’s enigmatic local community and its rituals. They detailed the care taken to respectfully portray the local culture and the darkness lurking beneath it. Nehru Sabharwal noted the duality of his character, Shiv, as both a potential ally and a threat. Which keeps the audience and Reema guessing.
Raw Leiba (Hameed) Interview
Known for roles in projects like The Walking Dead, actor Raw Leiba plays the character Hameed. Leiba commented on the shift from established genre work to one that introduces a new cultural lens. He noted that the film’s focus is on a subtle, insidious form of horror. Rather than pure gore, it made the acting experience particularly demanding and rewarding, relying heavily on psychological tension.
Writer/Producer Nisha Sabharwal
Nisha Sabharwal spoke passionately about bringing authentic Indian mythology to a global genre platform. “This has been a true passion project.” She shared, “allowing us to expose deep, suspenseful, enthralling themes of Indian mythos and lore across a gripping film. We are excited to offer fans an altogether new, otherworldly approach to a tried and true genre.” Sabharwal detailed the exhaustive research into tantric practices and folklore. All to ensure the film’s chilling narrative was grounded in cultural authenticity.
Director Trishul Thejasvi
Director Trishul Thejasvi discussed the directorial challenge of balancing the psychological thriller elements with the supernatural horror. He emphasized using the remote, tropical island setting as a character itself, reflecting the protagonist’s growing isolation and paranoia. Thejasvi noted his desire to create a visual style that was both unsettling and spiritually evocative, matching the film’s theme of familial betrayal and spiritual awakening.
A New Chapter for Global Thrillers
The presence of Mala at New York Comic Con was widely hailed as a significant step for diversity in the genre. The filmmakers and cast expressed hope that the film will pave the way for more stories that explore non-Western mythological and cultural horror traditions, proving that Indian mysticism can provide a deep, enthralling core for a globally appealing psychological thriller.
