Saiee M Manjrekar's first look from Ram Charan's 'The India House' surfaces from Estonia
Synopsis
A leaked photo from the Estonian sets of Ram Charan-backed period drama 'The India House' has given audiences their first glimpse of Saiee M Manjrekar in a striking pre-independence avatar — torch held aloft, protest banner in the background — signalling a bold departure from her earlier commercial roles.
Key Takeaways
Saiee M Manjrekar's first look from 'The India House' , backed by Ram Charan , has surfaced from the film's shoot in Estonia .
She is seen in a period costume — white blouse, maroon skirt, dark stockings — holding a flaming torch , suggesting a politically driven character.
A source described her role as 'quite different from what audiences have seen her do before,' hinting at a historically rooted, intense performance.
Saiee, 23 , made her debut in Kaksparsh (2012) and rose to prominence with Dabangg 3 (2019) opposite Salman Khan .
Her previous Telugu outings include Ghani and biographical drama Major ; she was last seen in Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi .
Actress Saiee M Manjrekar's first look from the upcoming period drama 'The India House' — produced with the backing of global star Ram Charan — has surfaced online, reportedly shot on location in Estonia, where the film's team is currently on schedule.
The Look That Caught Attention
In the leaked image, Saiee appears in a strikingly different avatar from her previous screen outings. She is seen dressed in a crisp white full-sleeved blouse paired with a floor-length maroon skirt, dark stockings, and white shoes — an ensemble that firmly roots the character in a pre-independence era aesthetic.
Her hair flows open, and her expression projects urgency and conviction. Most notably, she holds a flaming torch high above her head, with what appears to be a protest banner visible in the background — imagery that strongly suggests a character driven by purpose and political resolve.
What Sources Close to the Production Said
A source close to the production noted that Saiee's role in 'The India House' marks a considerable departure from anything audiences have seen her attempt before. 'Her look is rooted in the period, and the image captures the spirit of a character who appears to stand for something bigger than herself. There is a certain intensity to her role, and audiences will get to see a new side of her as an actor,' the source added.
The imagery hints at a character who could be central to the film's broader historical and political narrative, reinforcing the production's apparent ambition to tell a story grounded in the sensibilities of India's freedom struggle era.
Saiee Manjrekar's Career So Far
The 23-year-old actress first appeared on screen with a brief role as Kushi Damle in the Marathi film Kaksparsh in 2012. She went on to secure her first major leading role as Khushi Chautala opposite Salman Khan in the 2019 Hindi action-comedy Dabangg 3, followed by a music video appearance in 'Manjha' alongside Aayush Sharma in 2020.
Her Telugu debut came in 2022 with Ghani opposite Varun Tej, which did not perform well commercially. She subsequently featured in the Telugu-Hindi bilingual biographical film Major, portraying Isha Agarwal — the love interest of martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan. Most recently, she was seen in the Telugu action drama Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi, directed by Pradeep Chilukuri, alongside Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, Vijayashanti, Sohail Khan, Babloo Prithiveeraj, Srikanth, and R. Sarathkumar.
Significance of 'The India House'
For Saiee, 'The India House' represents a meaningful pivot — away from the conventional glamour associated with commercial Telugu and Hindi cinema, toward a performance-driven, historically anchored role. The film's Estonia shoot and Ram Charan's involvement signal a production of considerable scale and international ambition. How audiences respond to this reinvention will be closely watched.
Point of View
Whose commercial outings have so far yielded mixed results. Ram Charan's backing gives 'The India House' an immediate credibility and reach that few period projects in Indian cinema can claim without a major star's stamp. The choice of Estonia as a shoot location, combined with imagery evoking India's freedom struggle, suggests the film is positioning itself as prestige cinema rather than mainstream spectacle. Whether Saiee can carry a historically weighted narrative as a lead — rather than a supporting presence — is the real question this first look raises.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The India House' and who is backing it?
'The India House' is an upcoming period drama backed by global star Ram Charan. The film appears to be set in the pre-independence era, with portions currently being shot on location in Estonia.
What does Saiee M Manjrekar look like in 'The India House'?
In the leaked photograph, Saiee is dressed in a white full-sleeved blouse, a floor-length maroon skirt, dark stockings, and white shoes, holding a flaming torch — imagery strongly associated with protest and political resolve in the pre-independence period.
How is this role different from Saiee's previous work?
According to a source close to the production, Saiee's character in 'The India House' is considerably different from her earlier appearances in commercial films like Dabangg 3 and Ghani. The role is described as intense and rooted in the historical period of the film.
What films has Saiee M Manjrekar appeared in before?
Saiee debuted in the Marathi film Kaksparsh (2012) before landing her first major role in Dabangg 3 (2019) opposite Salman Khan. She has since appeared in Telugu films including Ghani, Major, and Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi.
Where is 'The India House' currently being filmed?
The film is currently shooting in Estonia, where the leaked first-look photograph of Saiee M Manjrekar reportedly emerged from the production set.
