Amrita Rao hopes Thackeray highlights her acting ability after previous roles pigeon-holed her
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 25, 2019)

"Stereotyping is a persistent problem in the industry," starts off Amrita Rao, who is still remembered as the demure bride she played in Vivah (2006). Thackeray, she says, has offered her a new lease of life.

Talking about slipping into the role of Meena Thackeray, Rao says, "Maasaheb was the spine of the family. She was graceful, dignified and selfless; both, a mother and father, because [her husband] Balasaheb led a busy life."

With little video footage available of her muse, Rao sourced Balasaheb Thackeray's sister Sanjeevani's interview, which had details about Meena. "Since Balasaheb and she married young, they were friends. He knew she was there for him, and she understood that he had to cater to a bigger cause."

With only limited roles making their way to Rao's resume over the last couple of years, it could be argued that her previous characters have restricted the kind of films coming her way. She hopes this offering has tables turning. "I don't want to be a heroine, but an actor. This film will help me establish [my prowess]."

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; January 5, 2019)

Amrita Rao, who was last seen on the big screen in Satyagraha (2013) and made her television debut with Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai (2016), has stayed away from the limelight for quite some time. But when we tell her that she seems to have disappeared after tying the knot with radio jockey Anmol two-and-a-half years ago, she insists she has very much been around. The petite actress informs us that she has started her YouTube channel recently to share her experience in the industry over the years. On the movies front, she will next be seen as Meenatai in Thackeray, the biopic on the late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. A quick Q and A with Amrita...

What have you been up to all this time?
Quite a lot (smiles). I’ve been doing a little bit of cooking. I’m also learning Konkani. I organise things well, so I’ve been using my managerial skills to take care of the house. Over the last year, I’ve also enjoyed making videos in which I share trivia about my films. Most of them have been popular on television and are fondly watched. So I started my channel on YouTube where I share little-known things like how I was cast in Main Hoon Na (2004), shooting a one-take song like Chale Jaise Hawayein, my first meeting with Sooraj ji (Barjatya), my most difficult scenes and how I prepared for them, to name some. And of course, working on Thackeray was exciting.

Even your new film comes after a considerable break.
Thackeray came after Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, my debut on TV. It was a fantastic series and required a lot of technique  because when you act in a television serial, it’s like doing four films at a time. It’s not a two-hour thing, every day we were churning material for half-hour episodes. It had a lot of emotion, drama and really tested my acting skills. Moreover, I was in the company of actors like Deepti Naval, Pallavi Joshi, Zarina Wahab and Rituraj Singh. It was a lovely and enriching experience.

What prompted you to take up Thackeray?
It’s a huge compliment to be approached for Meenatai Thackeray’s role when you’re the only choice because of the image you have. I have earned the image for myself. I also got the opportunity to work with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is a brilliant actor. There were many firsts for me while working on this film. I cherished every day of the shoot, since the time we began in February last year. Acting in this movie has been truly a unique experience.

Aren’t you worried about being typecast in character roles after this?
I’ve been approached for ethnic roles and I’m okay with that. The characters that I have played have resonated with the audience. Most of my films have repeat value, my characters are remembered and audiences watch the movies on satellite television again and again. Vivah (2006) often plays during the weekends and when I travel for events or appearances, it’s overwhelming to hear people say they’ve watched it over 20 times. You feel blessed to have a film that has become your larger identity. Not every actor is blessed with a movie like that.

Have you signed up any other project?
I will reveal in good time. After acting for years, now it’s interesting to explore new-age content. The scripts are changing and the audiences’expectations have also increased. Today, it’s more about scripts and content. That what makes it the right moment for actors to explore themselves.

In her comeback turn, the actress features opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the Bal Thackeray biopic
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 13, 2018)

Amrita Rao was last seen in 2013 in Anil Sharma’s action drama, Singh Saab The Great, as a TV reporter and in Prakash Jha’s political drama Satyagraha, which released a few months before, as Amitabh Bachchan’s widowed daughter-in-law who starts the movement against corruption with him. Five years later, the actress, who tied the knot with RJ Anmol in 2016, returns to the screen in the Thackeray biopic. Amrita will play Meenatai, Bal Thackeray’s better half, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui essaying the titular role.

Talking about his choice of actress, producer Sanjay Raut told Mirror that Amrita has the same innocence on her face as her character. “Meenatai was never in politics but she was the lady who held the Thackeray family together as also Shiv Sena, the party Balasaheb formed. She was his backbone and the embodiment of matrutwa (motherhood). When you see her on screen, you will know that she is best suited for the role,” Sanjay informed.

He pointed out that Amrita is also a really good actress and was diligent in her research. “Her role spans almost three decades, from 1969 to 1995. Amrita shared a great rapport with Nawaz and has finished shooting for her portions,” he added.

The film releases on January 23, 2019.