Hey, folks! In this episode of #BlabWithSandy, we have actress Donal Bisht with us. Known for her standout performances across television and digital platforms, Donal Bisht is expanding her artistic footprint into regional and international cinema. Marking her Telugu film debut with the upcoming comedy MRP, Donal reflects on her multi-medium journey, tracing her path from Doordarshan and Balaji Telefilms to big-budget film sets. In this exclusive interview, she discusses her approach to performance, her experience learning Telugu on set, and her vision for the future.
Sandy: Hey, Donal! Hope you are doing well. Could you walk us through your early days and how your journey in acting began.
Donal: My roots are in Uttarakhand. I’m a Pahadi girl and I was born in Alwar, Rajasthan, where I did a large part of my schooling. Later, I pursued a degree in Mass Communication and started working as a journalist. But deep down, I always felt there was more to life that I wanted to explore.
Eventually, I convinced my parents to let me move to Mumbai to audition. My very first break actually happened in Delhi with Chitrahaar for Doordarshan. Soon after, an opportunity with Balaji Telefilms came up, I got selected, and my Mumbai journey officially kicked off.
My television debut was with Balaji, and from there, there was no looking back. I went on to do several back-to-back prime-time shows with top production houses like Ek Deewaana Tha on Sony, and Roop – Mard Ka Naya Swaroop and Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji on Star Plus. Then came Bigg Boss 15. After all of that, I felt a strong pull to step out of my comfort zone and do something more.
Sandy: From TV shows and reality TV to OTT web series like Tu Zakhm Hai, and now feature films, how has this multi-medium transition been for you?
Donal: It has been very organic and gradual. As a human being, you always want to step up, push your boundaries, and see what best you can do with your talent.
After television, I wanted to explore web projects, but I also realized I wanted to dive deeper into the actual craft of acting. I had never formally trained in acting or dance when I started, so I enrolled in classes with Atul Mongia to hone my skills. For me, it became less about just glamour and appearances, and more about deep, meaningful performance that genuinely connects with the audience.
Every medium requires a completely different approach.
Television: It’s dialogue-heavy and extremely fast-paced. You operate on a tight schedule, which built my capability as a “one-take actor.”
OTT & Web: It gives you a broader canvas and more room to explore character arcs.
Films (The 70mm Screen): On the big screen, everything is magnified. I realized that the nuances need to be much more subtle.
I see myself as a student for life. I like being my own first critic and constantly learning.
Sandy: How did MRP happen, and what made you choose this project as your debut in Telugu cinema?
Donal: Over the years, people from the South film industry had been reaching out to pull me into films. When the team for MRP contacted me, they felt I’d be the perfect fit for the role.
Before committing, I looked closely at all the details, the script, the production house, the writer, and how my character was integrated into the story. They had picturized my character and my songs so beautifully. Seeing the significance of my role, combined with such a sweet, warm, and supportive team, I thought, why not start my South journey with this?
Sandy: How did you tackle the language barrier while shooting in Telugu?
Donal: It took a lot of intensive work! I took full-day Telugu language classes and had an assistant language trainer with me on set constantly.
Off-screen, we rehearsed tirelessly so that the lines wouldn’t sound like something I was just reciting, it needed to flow naturally from my mouth. The director and writer were extremely supportive. For shorter lines, I would memorize and deliver them on the spot. For close-up shots, we made sure the lip-sync and pronunciation were seamless. At the end of every day, I’d check the edit monitors to ensure the delivery was spot on.
People on set even told me, “It feels like you already know Telugu!”, which was the biggest compliment. The entire co-direction team deserves so much credit for guiding me through it.
Sandy: What can the audience expect from MRP?
Donal: A complete entertainer! It’s a comedy film where the script itself had everyone on set laughing throughout the shoot, even those who didn’t fully understand Telugu initially.
I’ve put my heart and soul into this project, and the entire team has worked to refine it to perfection. I took my time honing my craft while the film was in post-production, and now I’m just eagerly waiting to see myself on the big screen. To all my fans: go to the theaters and watch it!
Quick Shot Round:
– Biggest fear? No fears! I’ve seen a lot in life, so nothing frightens me anymore.
– Most used app? Instagram.
– A movie you watched and wished you were in? Haha, many! But recently, Heeramandi. I would have loved to play one of the leads if given that script.
– If you could barter careers with someone for a day? Priyanka Chopra! (Though she might get upset with me for swapping! laughs)
– A personal habit you’d like to change? Being overly emotional and empathetic. I’m getting better at managing it now, though.
– If a movie were made on your life, what would the title be? Giver, Believer, Achiever (just like my Instagram bio!).
– Your biggest regret? I don’t live in regret. I believe everything is a learning experience. If I feel I can do something, I just go for it.
Sandy: What else is currently in the pipeline for you?
Donal: Alongside MRP, I have OTT projects coming up, another South Indian film that is in post-production (just a bit of patch-work remaining), an international film project I’ve shot for, and a few other exciting discussions underway.
Sandy: What kind of roles are you looking to explore?
Donal: I’d love to do a double role at some point! In Bollywood, there have been a lot of near-misses. I was shortlisted for major projects like Laal Singh Chaddha, auditioned for Surpanakha’s role in Ramayana, and was in talks for an Imtiaz Ali project. While those close calls happen, I feel fortunate that top makers and big production houses recognize my work and approach me for substantial roles. The best is yet to come.
Sandy: Any message to your loyal fans?
Donal: To everyone who had faith in me, thank you for making this dream a reality. You always wanted to see me on the big screen in films, and here I am. And to my new South audience, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. I hope you accept me forever!
Editor’s note: Donal Bisht’s journey is a testament to what happens when talent meets relentless discipline. From mastering dialogue in a brand-new language to constantly refining her craft off-screen, she approaches every project with the passion of a true artist. As MRP has hit the big screen and her upcoming films await release, we wish Donal all the very best for her career and every exciting chapter ahead in her cinematic journey!
Follow Donal @donalbisht
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Interview by Sandy (Sandeep Rao)