Sobhita Dhulipala: The Outsider Making Waves in Hollywood
Sobhita Dhulipala has always felt like an outsider, no matter where she goes. Growing up in Andhra Pradesh, she was already an outsider in Mumbai, the financial and fashion capital of India. Her native tongue, Telugu, also made her feel like an outsider in Bollywood, where Hindi is predominantly spoken.
Now, with the release of “Monkey Man,” a high-octane film produced by Jordan Peele, where she stars alongside Dev Patel, Sobhita finds herself once again thrust into the limelight, this time in Hollywood. The premiere of the film at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, was her first time setting foot on American soil.
“In India, I’m South Indian,” Sobhita said in a video interview from Los Angeles. “When I come to America, I’m Indian.”
Sobhita’s real-life experience of being an outsider reflects in many of her onscreen roles. In the Amazon Prime series “Made in Heaven,” she plays a character who schemes her way into upper-class circles. In “Monkey Man,” she portrays Sita, a call girl catering to powerful but despicable men.
For Sobhita, playing characters on the margins who defy easy categorization is a point of pride. She sees them as “beautifully complex humans” and considers it an honor to be trusted with such roles.
Acting was never Sobhita’s initial career plan. Coming from a family of academics, she was studying corporate law in Mumbai when she ventured into modeling and TV commercials. Winning the Miss Earth India pageant in 2013 opened doors for her in the entertainment industry, leading to her debut in Bollywood with “Raman Raghav 2.0” in 2016.
Before achieving success in India, Sobhita auditioned for the role of Sita in “Monkey Man.” Despite the long wait, she was eventually chosen for the role by Dev Patel, who saw her as perfect for the character.
Sobhita was drawn to “Made in Heaven” for its exploration of issues not typically addressed in mainstream Bollywood films. She values stories that inspire her and bring value to the narrative.
In “Monkey Man,” Sobhita’s character has minimal dialogue, but she finds meaning in portraying “the moments between the words.” Her willingness to challenge norms extends to her style choices, where she embraces Indian designers and traditional attire.
Her unconventional fashion sense has garnered praise from fans and fashion critics alike. Embracing her natural curly hair and gravitating towards outfits that resonate with her nostalgia, Sobhita’s style has become a statement in itself.
Looking ahead, Sobhita has her sights set on sci-fi or action movies, where she hopes to take on more physically demanding roles. As she continues to break barriers and defy expectations, Sobhita Dhulipala is proving that being an outsider can be a powerful advantage in the world of entertainment.
