Harshaali was born on June 3, 2008, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She is an Indian actress and model, as well as a child actress in Hindi-language films and television programmes. She was given one of Maharashtra's most coveted accolades.

Harshaali Malhotra received the prestigious Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar award from Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The government awarded this honour to her in recognition of her contributions to Hindi cinema. Harshaali dedicated this honour to her mentors, actor Salman Khan, and casting director, and film director Kabir Khan.

Early life

Harshaali was born on 3 June 2008 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India into a Punjabi Hindu family. Harshaali's father is Vipul Malhotra, and her mother is interior designer Kajal Malhotra. Harshaali Malhotra has an older brother named Hardik Malhotra.

She has been admitted to Seven Square Academy in Mumbai and will continue her studies there.

Career

Malhotra made her film debut with a leading role in Kabir Khan's 2015 drama film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, alongside Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. She played the role of Shahida also known as 'Munni', a Pakistani Muslim girl. Her performance as a mute girl was critically praised and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination, making her the youngest person to be nominated in the category and won the Screen Award for Best Child Artist among several other awards and nominations. She also received the Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award in 2022 for her performance in Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

She has acted in serials such as Qubool Hai (2014) and Laut Aao Trisha (2014).

Controversies

Katrina Kaif Controversy

Harshaali Malhotra, who played the much-loved character of 'Munni'/'Shahida' in the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, received a lot of backlash for referring to Katrina as 'auntie' in a birthday message shared on her Facebook page. Harshaali's account (which is believed was controlled/supervised by her mother, Kajal) posted a photo of the two with the message 'Happy Birthday... Katrina Aunty' on Facebook. On Katrina's 33rd birthday, this was posted. Some, however, were offended by the use of the term Auntie, and mocked Harshaali for the remark.

Awards

• In 2015 Harshaali won Most Entertaining Child Artist in Big Star Entertainment Awards
• In 2015 Harshaali won Best Child Artist in Star Guilds Awards
• In 2015 Harshaali won Best Child Artist at Stardust Awards 
• In 2015 Harshaali won Best Child Artist at Screen Awards 
• In 2015 Harshaali won Best Child Artist at Zee Cine Awards
   

Interesting facts 

• Harshaali Malhotra is an Indian actress best known for playing Munni in the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
• Harshaali began her career as a child actor when she was only two years old.
• Harshaali Malhotra played a mute girl in the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, although she is a highly outgoing person in real life.
• Prior to movies, she appeared in TV shows such as Zee TV's Qubool Hai as Anjum Khan and Life OK's Laut Aao Trisha as Sanya in 2014.
• She also appeared in Sony TV's popular drama Jodha Akbar in 2015.
• After auditioning for over 1000 girls from various places in India, Kabir Khan, the director of the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and casting director Mukesh Chhabra chose her for the role of Munni.
• She was originally cast in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, but was dropped at the last minute.
• She has also appeared in advertisements for Hyundai Xcent, Pears, Haier, Fair & Lovely, Sony, Horlicks, HDFC Bank, and Apollo Tyres.
• Harshaali's social media accounts are managed by her mother, who used to post images and dance videos of her daughter.
• Harshaali also stated in an interview that she is only permitted to use her phone for study purposes and to talk to her friends.
• She is the P.C. Jewellers brand ambassador and walked the ramp at P.C. Gardens.
• She adores dogs and frequently posts photos of her pet, Leo.
• She was also cast as a young Katrina Kaif in the film Fitoor because she resembles Katrina. Bajrangi Bhaijaan had not yet been launched at the time. As a result, Harshaali's mother declined the offer, claiming that after a significant role in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a little role in Fitoor would not help her career as a child actor.
• Harshaali received offers from Tollywood, Punjabi, and Gujrati film industries after completing Bajrangi Bhaijaan, but she declined because she was waiting for a huge role like Munni.
• Her favourite sequence in the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan was the final one in which she shouts out Salman Khan, Mama.
• Harshaali ate a lot of chicken while filming Kukdoo-koo, and the song was done in 4-5 takes