Most actors will tell you that they chose a film because their character spoke to them. But Mrunal Thakur surprises us by saying that she initially didn’t identify with her role in Jersey. “The love story resonated with me, but [understanding] the ’90s portion was difficult,” she begins. The actor plays a pragmatic wife who has to run the house after her husband’s cricketing dreams are shattered.

“Initially, it was difficult to [identify] with her because she was born in the ’70s. I [questioned] her actions. But Shahid [Kapoor] made me understand that it [would be difficult] for a woman in the ’90s to have a husband who doesn’t earn. He is at home, eating the bread that his wife has earned; that would be humiliating in that era [when people believed in gender roles]. I did the film because I haven’t seen such an emotional story in a while.”

The remake of Gowtam Tinnanuri’s 2019 Telugu film of the same name sees Thakur share screen space with Kapoor, whom she considers a generous co-actor. “I don’t have anybody to guide me. Shahid saw the fire in me and realised that I don’t know how to channel it. He made sure I brought out the best in me.”

Jersey winds up 2021 for the actor, who was also seen in Toofaan and Dhamaka. While she bags prominent films, her detractors may argue that her characters are overshadowed by her male counterparts. “People keep asking me why I play safe, but I don’t think I do. I go with the flow and want to make the most of the opportunities. I hope after Jersey, filmmakers trust me enough to cast me in risky and challenging roles.”

Where it’s easy to see that her career is on an upswing, little is known about Thakur’s personal life. Quiz her on it, and she indicates that the demands of the profession take a toll on love. “I don’t know about other professions, but being an actress, it is difficult to find a partner. As humans, we get insecure. It’s better to let go of people who are insecure. I don’t want my partner to tell me, ‘You can’t do this film.’ The only lover I have is the camera. If anyone wants to be with me, that’s great, but it’ll be tough.”