With several of her films this year not making the desired impact at the box office, Mrunal Thakur believes a film’s success cannot be measured by its theatrical run alone. The actor, whose latest outing Pooja Meri Jaan is receiving appreciation on OTT, says, “I feel medium doesn’t matter today. What matters is the story, subject, characters, and the director’s point of view to reach out to the audience.”

Citing Laapataa Ladies as an example, Mrunal points to how a film can find renewed appreciation after its digital release.

“When it came out in theatres, people didn’t appreciate. But the moment it was out on OTT, everyone was like, oh my god, wow. Why did we miss this movie?” she says. “There are certain films which don’t make the box office collection. But it does make a lot of noise on social networking sites when it is on platform,” she adds.

She has witnessed a similar response to Dacoit, with fans telling her they regretted not watching it in theatres. “A lot of audience have apologized. Fans of mine have apologized for not watching it on big screen,” she shares.

Acknowledging the role of marketing and changing audience choices, she says, “It is also the choices of the audience now. Because it is also how you market a movie. Everything has become a little different. I am kind of learning and I am in a learning phase.”

Asked if negative feedback bothers her, the actor says, “I have always been that person who takes feedback, but I also don’t want to take the negative feedback from people who do not have a display picture of their own. As simple as that.”

Meanwhile, Pooja Meri Jaan has brought her a different kind of validation. Mrunal reveals that viewers have sent handwritten letters to her home about how the film’s portrayal of one-sided relationships resonated with them.

“They wrote pages and pages of letters, expressing how it resonated with them in more than one way,” she says. She is particularly struck by how the film has connected with men as well as women. “It’s just crazy that how a film like this can reach so many not just girls but men,” she adds.

Mrunal also finds her work reaching audiences beyond India. During a visit to Paris, she met someone who had watched Love Sonia She recalls a viewer from the Philippines watching Made In Heaven and an American friend discovering Sita Ramam through Indian friends. “I am just happy to be entering into the industry in a time where my work is appreciated not just in India,” she says.

In every actor’s filmography, there are certain stories that feel worth the wait, even if it’s years-long. For Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Meri Jaan is one such film. It may have taken four years for the social thriller to see the light of day, but now, it’s bringing her love.

“I usually don’t check my DMs, but the messages and love that I am receiving is beyond everything. They say when the time is right, things [fall in place],” she told mid-day.

Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture sees Thakur play the titular character, who is accused of driving her friend to suicide as she rejected his romantic advances. The actor’s decision to front the Hindi Zee 5 movie, which also stars Huma Qureshi and Vikram Singh Chauhan, was led by a simple motivation — shed light on the male entitlement and toxic behaviour that sometimes come with unrequited love.

“It’s [all] around us. Films show male friends telling the hero, ‘Tu aur try kar, woh maan jayegi’, or that a woman’s no means yes. Haven’t we heard ‘Uski naa mein bhi haan hai’? You can’t get anyone’s love without their consent. That’s why it was important for me to do the film,” she shared, adding that rejection is a bitter pill to swallow for some men.

“When their love isn’t reciprocated, some men assassinate the woman’s character. Many lie about being intimate with the woman, [seeing it] as a flex.”

Pooja Meri Jaan also hits close to home for Thakur, whose best friends had developed feelings for her. “When I said no to both, they started calling me names. When I confronted them years later, they said, ‘We had no idea we bullied you’,” she recalled.

The aroma of authentic Maharashtrian delicacies filled the air, while steaming hot modaks were lovingly plated before Bappa at the Ganpati celebrations at Mrunal Thakur’s home. The actress wore an elegant paithani sari that she accessorised with a nath and bugadis. “The nath was given to me by my ajoba. This is a South meets Maharashtra look,” said the actress, pointing at her neckpiece. Mrunal made a mark in South cinema with Sita Ramam (2002).

Originally from Dhule, Mrunal has lived in various states across India. Her family has been welcoming Lord Ganesha into their home for over six decades.

“This year marks the 62nd year of that cherished tradition. We have many fond memories of the festival. I remember my sister doing the decoration, and we all making fried modaks together. The tasks were divided – where I made the khirapat (filling), my sister would roll the rice flour dough, and then my mom would fry them. We would enjoy coming up with different themes for the decor. The most difficult part was the visarjan. I would always ask mom, ‘Why does Bappa come home and then leave us?’ And my mom would sweetly reply, ‘He has to go back to his mother like you come back to me after school.’ As we moved from one state to another due to my father’s posting, it was fun to do this. Ganesha is a pan-India God, well, actually, he is universal.”

Speaking of her deep emotional connection with Bappa, Mrunal says, “I just close my eyes and pray to Lord Ganesha, and then the vignaharta and sukhkarta does wonders for me. Ganesh Chaturthi and the following days are the most beautiful time of the year because the entire family comes together. This year, I made a conscious decision to be at home. Some of my school friends came over, whom I met after a long time. I planned everyone’s outfits, including my mother’s. I love photography and I clicked lots of pictures with everyone, so that at the end of it we can make a family album.”

Mrunal, who has previously performed an aarti scene in her film Toofaan, hopes to be part of a full-fledged Ganpati sequence in a movie. She says, “I dream of playing a role where the girl goes to Lalbaugcha Raja and does lejhim. I want to see myself on the big screen doing a massive Ganpati song like Deva Shree Ganesha from Agneepath one day.”

An exotic vacation in the Maldives, beach bodies and lavish weddings with picture-perfect candids. Social media is inundated with aspirational posts that can lure you into believing that anything less is not enough. However, one shouldn’t believe everything you see as there is always more to people and their lives than what meets the eye.

Some believe that we are a sad generation with happy pictures — this saying best sums up our relationship with social media. Mrunal Thakur’s recent teary-eyed Instagram post was an attempt to break the deceptive nature of social media, where all things appear beautiful at all times.

In an in-depth chat with Bombay Times, Mrunal opened about that post and told us her side of the story. She explained, “We all go through a lot of problems in life. That picture was taken a few days back when I had an emotional turmoil and was going through a tough phase professionally and personally. I didn’t take that photo, thinking I would post it later. I gathered the courage to take that picture and save it on my phone to remind myself that I didn’t want to feel this miserable in the future. That was a memory to tell myself that if I could overcome my problems before, I could do it again. That was the intention behind taking that picture.”

Elaborating on why she chose to post it, she shared, “There are times when I end up posting a happy picture, but I don’t feel the same. The day I posted that picture, I woke up feeling powerful, happy and courageous enough to know that no problem can put you down in life. There are days when we end up losing our self-esteem, confidence and we question our worth. Self-doubt takes over. In a world where there’s an overdose of information and opinions, there are so many voices around you that you stop listening to your inner voice. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable in front of the world.”

She explained, “People might say, ‘Oh, your Sri Lanka trip was glamorous, and you looked great’, but are we actually happy? I feel there are less conversations today and people are afraid to share their real emotions. I am glad this happened organically. I want people to know that it’s okay to feel vulnerable and it’s important to listen to your inner voice amidst all the chaos, clutter, and aspirational posts. There is no harm in voicing your thoughts. Your gut instinct never lies to you. Many of us have stopped listening to ourselves.”

The actress hopes people don’t fall for the facade of social media and the feeling that ‘life is all hunky dory’. She added, “We are so caught up on our phones and screens, which give an illusion of a world that doesn’t exist. Everything is not glamorous and aspirational. People who are posting dreamy pictures may also be going through a tough time. Don’t believe what you see as you may feel that everyone is happy, and I am sad. That’s not the case. I want to normalize this. Feeling low is normal. It’s a phase and doesn’t necessarily mean that you are depressed. You can be happy, and you can be low. There are good days and there are bad days. Both are inevitable. Don’t let these social media posts trick you into believing that everyone else has a better life than you.”

Also, Mrunal believes that one must not quit when there’s a storm in your life, believes the actor. She said, “You go through highs and lows, and it’s normal. You must overcome the challenges. For instance, you can’t switch careers if you are going through a tough phase. It took me 10 years to get a film like Sita Ramam. If I had quit, I don’t know what I would be doing today.”

Following her post, netizens speculated if the actress was referring to mental health or depression. Mrunal clarifies, “There are people who need help as far as mental health is concerned. It’s a sensitive topic and can be misinterpreted. That is a separate conversation altogether. Depression is a big word that needs a deeper understanding and shouldn’t be used casually. My intention was to normalize feeling low. We tend to bury these feelings deep inside and don’t want to hear or talk about them. That needs to change. Accepting that you aren’t feeling great can only help you resolve it. I want to tell the world that I am not afraid to show or say what I feel, and you shouldn’t either.”

At some point in their career, almost every Hindi film hero has played an upright, no-nonsense cop on screen. In comparison, the opportunity has been few and far between for leading ladies. Which is why Mrunal Thakur is stoked to don the khaki uniform for Gumraah. “To be associated with an impactful and fierce character is a dream for every actor. The physicality of the character is starkly different; there’s a certain posture and body language that I’m training for,” she shares.

Also starring Aditya Roy Kapur in the lead, the official remake of Tamil hit Thadam (2019) sees Thakur as a cop investigating a murder case where two lookalikes are the primary suspects. Vardhan Ketkar’s directorial venture went on floors late last year, with the second schedule being wrapped up only last month. Thakur says she had to prep extensively for the role — from adopting the confident gait of a policewoman, to incorporating strength training in her fitness regimen so as to become action-ready.

“A female cop has to find her footing in a police station and solve cases, while making sure that no one intimidates her. She is a woman in a man’s world. It is interesting to explore that facet of her personality. I visited the police station close to my house to see what women are like at work. One can notice that they are tremendously confident and unusually alert. I wanted to observe and [imbibe] these traits. I also had to rework my dialogue delivery so as to say the lines more firmly. I can’t be ‘cute’, as my crew members keep saying.”

Unlike her last few films Toofaan (2021) and Jersey where she played the leading man’s romantic interest, Gumraah will see Thakur in a face-off with Kapur’s character. Does she view this as a subversion of tropes? “Absolutely! The battle has always been between men in such movies. Here, I am happy to be on the other side. For a change, my character is not sweet, kind, or polite. I had to break out of my own conditioning to attempt this role.”

Mrunal Thakur is thrilled that Jersey is all set to hit the theatres after a long wait. The film’s team faced many hurdles with its release due to the pandemic. In a chat with Bombay Times, she elaborates on her smooth transition from TV to films, how filmmakers are now offering her author-backed roles and who is her inspiration in cinema. Read on...

I am just overwhelmed. I have waited for this film to hit the big screen for so long. I have worked really hard on this project, and I am happy that people will finally get to see it. I play the role of a mother in this film, something I haven’t experienced in real life, and so I drew references from my mother for the part. That apart, I had two releases last year —Toofaan and Dhamaka. The former was meant for a big-screen experience. It was really disappointing that the audience could not get a theatrical experience as it was released on OTT. The film was designed for a theatrical release. So, I am finally happy that a film like Jersey, with which I have been associated for over two years, is finally releasing on the big screen.

It’s a film that’s full of mixed emotions. The characters are so relatable that the film deserves to be watched uninterrupted in a cinema hall. Often, when you watch a film on OTT, you are subjected to distractions. This is that kind of a film which will give you joy... something that will make you want to celebrate and begin a conversation about. Also, the scenes are aesthetically shot for a big-screen experience. Like, all the cricket shots you see are not computer graphics. You can see depth in the scenes, like the movement of the ball when Shahid plays cricket or the expression of people sitting in the audience when they are watching the match. Also, I am sure that once people watch the film, they will go to their parents and thank them for whatever they did for them. I want to dedicate this film to my mom and dad. My dad retired last month, and so I am very emotional about it. I am grateful to him for all the things he did for me so that I could reach where I am today.

My inspiration has been Smita Patil. Whenever I used to visit my dad’s native place in Shirpur (in Dhule), he would show me a house that belonged to Smita Patil. I think she was way ahead of time. It takes lots of guts to do the kind of films she did. While growing up, I saw her movies, and one of my favourites was Mandi. I wish I had an opportunity to act with her. She has been my idol, and just like her, I want to do something extraordinary in my career. I want people to know me for my films. I want to inspire them. Today, I feel proud that I inspire many television actors. I transitioned from TV to films, and I feel happy when television actresses reach out to me and look up to me.

I broke the image right from my Hindi debut film, which was Love Sonia. Nobody expected a TV actor to take up an arty film, instead of a typical masala venture as their launchpad. It is because of Love Sonia that people have taken me seriously as an actor, leading to me bagging stronger roles. Even in my last films, Toofaan and Dhamaka, I was very happy with the parts I got. With my work, I want to break stereotypes and set an example. I just want to say that earlier I was surviving, but now, I am living my life as an actor. And I have earned it all on my own, and nobody can stop me from living my dream. I want to be a part of stories that resonate with people, and I am glad that filmmakers are showing faith and trust in me. I am getting to meet my dream directors. I am in a very good phase of my career right now.

I have realised that the term ‘lead’ is very misleading. I learned that right when I was doing my TV show Kumkum Bhagya. I was very adamant that I only wanted to play the lead. I was signed as the lead, too, but eventually, it went into the second lead space. I realised it didn’t matter because I still won immense popularity. What matters is what impact you leave on the audience. Lead koi bhi ho, lekin kabhi kabhi asli masala dussre characters mein hota hai. These characters constantly add to the story and the narrative. I am new to the industry, and I don’t want to rush. I want my first 10 movies to be my learning ground. And then you need to wait and watch for my 11th or 12th film. I want to improve and take risks, too.

When we get on a call with Mrunal Thakur to discuss her Best Actor (Female): Film nomination at the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, she reveals that she happened to meet Vidya Balan the day the nominations were announced. “My family was overjoyed when they realised that I am in the same category as my favourite actress,” says Thakur, whose performance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofaan has made her a contender for the trophy.

A quick glance at the Best Actor (Female) list, and it is easy to notice the shift in Bollywood. Women characters no longer service the leading men of movies. While Toofaan tells the story of Farhan Akhtar’s character, Thakur’s Ananya is a catalyst to the narrative. “Farhan and Rakeysh sir are so comfortable in their skin that they don’t need to diminish the shine of the women, to make their hero shine. I am grateful to Nikkhil Advani who showed some footage of Batla House [2019] to Rakeysh sir, which helped me get an audition. It’s a big deal to learn under Rakeysh sir at such a nascent stage in my career.”

The opportunity to work with Mehra aside, Thakur was drawn to the film as it consciously subverted several industry tropes, and highlighted a woman’s agency over her life decisions. “There is a scene at Bandra Fort, in which Ananya kisses Ajju [Akhtar’s character]. We’ve seen women being [wooed] by men in movies. This is a small change, where she takes the first step and doesn’t wait for the man to [woo] her. Filmmakers need to write more of such characters where small steps towards owning agency are established.”

The actor asserts that depicting independent women on screen effects changes, big and small, in ways we can hardly imagine. She cites an example where a woman thanked her for sporting short hair in Toofaan. “She said, ‘When I saw you, I asked my mother-in-law and husband that if an actress can have short hair, why can’t I? I finally got their permission to cut my hair short.’ After that conversation, I wondered why a young woman thinks she needs permission to decide on the length of her hair. Normalising women with agency on screen has a permeating impact. I have been spoiled by Farhan and Rakeysh, who gave me so much courage and confidence to play this part.”

Did you know

This was the first time Paresh Rawal and Farhan Akhtar worked together in a film. The boxers in Toofaan were all real-life boxers

Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards

Mrunal Thakur has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Film category for Toofaan. The other nominees are:

- Kiara Advani (Shershaah)

- Konkona Sen Sharma (Geeli Pucchi, Ajeeb Daastaans)

- Sanya Malhotra (Pagglait)

- Taapsee Pannu (Rashmi Rocket)

- Vidya Balan (Sherni)

Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistawards to cast your vote.

You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.

Voting lines close on March 18.

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.”

The past few weeks have been busy for Mrunal Thakur. She was recently seen in Netflix’s Dhamaka, post which she released the poster of her next, Aankh Micholi. The high point of the month was launching the trailer of Jersey that sees her alongside Shahid Kapoor. “I am overwhelmed, but I am not feeling the pressure. The pandemic had slowed down my work. All the films I had shot for are now [releasing]. I live to entertain my audience, and no matter how bad my day is, I come to life when I face the camera,” begins Thakur, grateful for the promising line-up of projects.

Jersey, the official adaptation of the 2019 Telugu film of the same name, sees her play wife to Kapoor’s character — a former cricketer struggling to make peace with his fate. Their romance weathers a storm, altering their relationship in the Gowtam Tinnanuri directorial venture. For a story that hinged on the chemistry of the leads, Thakur says she found the perfect co-star in Kapoor. “I found a friend in Shahid. I will never tire of praising him. He is such a focused actor, and owns his character. I learnt the quality from him.”

A quick look at Thakur’s filmography makes one thing evident — regardless of the screen time, each of her movies has her playing a well fleshed-out and strong-headed character. The actor says it’s no coincidence. She is mindful of her characters’ arcs and the films’ messaging. “I have made sure the women I play are firm and have a voice of their own. I am happy that through films like Toofaan, Dhamaka and Batla House [2019], I am sending a message out. Enough being supportive, or playing the victim card in films. Women play an important role in men’s lives; it should be presented that way. They don’t have to be shown as bechari. Many women will relate to my part in Jersey. Women look forward to a secure future for themselves and their kids. My character is strong, speaks her mind and [does] what she wants.”

Though Dhamaka is centred on Kartik Aaryan’s news anchor, it is Mrunal Thakur’s character that propels the story forward. Writers Ram Madhvani and Puneet Sharma have etched out her part as a headstrong television journalist who finds her personal and professional lives intertwined.

“No matter what profession [we are in], we all have to go through emotional turmoil [in our personal lives] while dealing with deadlines and the boss’ demands. It’s not an easy situation for Soumya [her character],” says Thakur. She describes the role as “dear” to her. “By the eighth day of the shoot, I started deeply connecting with her. But by then, it was time to say goodbye to her.” 

For the actor, the journalist’s ability to put on a brave face when her personal life is in shambles struck a chord with her. “The best thing that has happened to me is when a critic or the audience [rave about] a particular scene featuring me. This, despite the scene being shot when I was having a bad day. At such times, I feel good knowing that I was true to my profession, no matter what I was going through in my personal life. That’s the beauty of Ram’s characters as well.”

Thakur is thrilled to add a Madhvani directorial venture to her resumé, but the bigger high was to collaborate with Amruta Subhash on the Netflix project. She turns into a fan girl as she recounts, “When I met Amruta, I asked for a picture because I am a big fan of her work. Shwas [2004] is one of my favourite films. However, we don’t have any scenes together.”

Mrunal Thakur begins the conversation with “Can I be honest or can I be honest?”, thus setting the tone for the chat. Her recent release, Toofaan, may have opened to mixed reviews, but she is glad that it resonated with a section of the audience. “For me, [the true] critics are my friends, family and audience. So when people, who have lost their loved ones [in recent times], text me saying that the emotions [depicted on screen] hit home, it’s a job well done. Validation doesn’t come from social media numbers, but from [whether] your work has made a difference to people. I believe films are meant to inspire people,” she says.

Toofaan’s biggest forte is that it subverts the genre of a sports drama. Though the narrative is centred on Farhan Akhtar’s character who becomes a boxer, Thakur’s doctor character Ananya Prabhu doesn’t play second fiddle. She credits director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for the feat. “People in his movies are all equally important. There is something to learn in the way Ananya is written; I hope people are inspired to write more substantial roles for women. Leading ladies aren’t there just to look pretty; a heroine’s role should have an impact on the audience.”

The actor has a promising line-up with Jersey opposite Shahid Kapoor, followed by Pippa. Before we finish the chat, we have to ask the million-dollar question — why was Netflix’s Baahubali: Before The Beginning scrapped after the show was entirely shot with her?  “I haven’t got an official confirmation yet that I am not a part of it, so I still believe I am [in the show]. But I know it’s not happening. There is no point chasing something that wasn’t meant for me. The best thing would be to graciously watch people work harder. The makers will make the right decision. If they want me, I’ll be there; if not, I’ll work on some other project.”

Mrunal Thakur is in a happy space as she is looking forward to three releases this year. “I am glad that finally, the amount of hard work that we have put in our films in 2020, will be witnessed by the audiences. My first release is Toofaan, which is close to my heart. I worked with a fabulous team including Farhan Akhtar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra sir and the journey, the experience, the growth, not just as an actor but also as a human, was enormous. I feel I am a different person today because of it,” says the Super 30 (2019) actor.

Thakur calls OTT platforms a blessing for those who can’t go to theatres. “Even during Coronavirus, there is a way to entertain our audiences. OTT has a huge reach global reach. As for box office success, I never took that pressure as an actor. My film is a complete package. It will entertain people but it will also inspire, allow us to never give up, and follow our dreams. We all need that one push to keep us on track and guide us on the right way. That’s what my character does. However, in real life, Farhan inspired me (laughs). It was enchanting to work with him,” she explains.

The actor has Jersey with Shahid Kapoor next, and Aankh Micholi. She will also start Pippa co-starring Ishaan Khatter soon.

The shoot for Jersey had begun in early 2020 but it had to be stalled due to the lockdown. Later, in October, right after the unlock, the unit began shooting again. Talking about the experience of shooting amid the pandemic, she says, “I was scared but the joy of being on a movie set was great. It was a long process and back then, we didn’t know what measures we needed to take. By the end of the schedule in Dehradun, we were happy to be back to work.”

The team of Jersey, starring Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in the lead, wrapped up the shooting of the film recently. The actress is now looking forward to prepping up for her next, Raja Krishna Menon’s Pippa, which is reportedly a war-drama revolving around the 1971 war. On the personal front, she plans to tighten her grip on mixed martial arts (MMA) that she took up in October this year, and pursue Bharatnatyam in 2021.

Elaborating on the skills she plans to hone in the new year, Mrunal told BT, “I was introduced to MMA while working on Toofaan, I enjoyed performing the action scenes in it. So, when the gyms re-opened, I thought of doing something different and more challenging than Pilates. That’s how I got into MMA and I love how beautifully it blends different martial art forms from all over the world. It also strengthens the body and of course, must be practised under supervision. As for Bharatnatyam, I want to learn it to improve the art of expressing through my face and exercise better control over my body language. This classical dance form can teach you so much — to express without words while also adding grace to the body.”

The actress has also made plans to ring in 2021 on a positive, happy note. “I would have loved to travel with my family to some place away from Mumbai. The problem is that the pandemic is still not over, so I had to let go of my travel plans. I want to stay indoors and be with my family when the New Year kicks in,” says Mrunal, adding, “It’s a cosy-at-home New Year party with just my family. We’ll watch a movie or two. There’s a full-blown cheat-meal that I will tuck in — everything from sweets to some scrumptious main course. I may just go on a drive with my parents and my sibling, but that depends on the situation in the city on that day. Otherwise, we’ll ring in 2021 with each other in the comfort and warmth of our home.”

Working with seniors and established actors not only allows a young actor to learn from the best but also grow as a person. Mrunal Thakur, too, admits that while working with actors like John Abraham (Batla House; 2019), Hrithik Roshan (Super 30; 2019), Shahid Kapoor (Jersey) and Farhan Akhtar (Toofaan), she realised the importance of holistic fitness, over and above the requirements for a character.

“Being paired opposite these co-stars, who unconsciously taught me so much, I realised staying fit and being healthy is a virtue that is required for me in the long term,” she says.

The 28-year-old actor has noticed that each of these actors are effortlessly and confidently able to take on parts that require one to physically push boundaries because they are certain they will be able to pull it off.

Thakur shares, “I took up fitness very seriously after my first few films. I knew I wanted to be able to do any part that comes to me and that would happen or to be physically able to prep for it, fitness should be a continual process. Fitness is a lifestyle choice and I have made it gradually. I don’t believe in starving myself or doing crash diets. I eat everything. I swear by yoga and mixed martial arts. I workout everyday regardless of how busy I am. Through the lockdown, I have been through quite a few dull days but I invested emotionally in becoming fitter. I feel a lot more active now.”

After spending Diwali in Mumbai, Mrunal Thakur is back in Chandigarh with Shahid Kapoor for the last schedule of their film Jersey. “Now, you have to allot an extra week before and after for quarantine. But we are so excited, we don’t want to stop shooting,” gushes the actress.

While for many the lockdown resulted in increased social media activity, Mrunal had deleted all apps from her phone, not wanting to know who is having an OTT release, who has achieved what, bringing on increased stress and in some cases, depression too. Instead, she used the time constructively to learn cooking. “Earlier, I couldn’t even brew a cup of tea, now, I can lay out a meal. And from my 20-year-old cousin I’ve learned that intermittent fasting is upvas and a balanced Indian meal in proportion is the key to good health,” she says knowledgeably, sharing that her father did not miss going to the bank for a single day during the ongoing pandemic and her mother concocted every possible kaadha (herbal medicinal drink) to boost immunity.

She herself has been most disciplined through the downtime, going to bed by 10 pm and waking up at 5:30 am. “My parents would walk 10 laps around the house as a workout. I took yoga and strength training sessions with them, and also enrolled for ballet classes in the afternoon,” she informs, admitting her siblings, Lochan and Mandar, couldn’t wait for her to resume shooting so they could sleep in late.

Talking of siblings, she plays Ishaan Khatter and Priyanshu Painyuli’s sister in the war drama Pippa, based on Balram Singh Mehta’s book The Burning Chaffees. “People ask me why I was playing a sister and I wonder if there is a clause stating I shouldn’t. I play a mother in Jersey, after mothering two kids in an ad at 21. I’d be foolish to turn down good scripts due to such inhibitions,” she shrugs.

After she wraps up Jersey, Mrunal will get back to the Bay to prep for the Thadam remake that pairs her with Sidharth Malhotra. Her Toofaan co-star, Farhan Akhtar, has already got her training in Mixed Martial Arts so she won’t have to start from scratch. “Every morning, I practice on the beach as the sand helps with balance and engages the core. It’s helping me get the body language and mental make-up of a cop,” she avers, adding with a laugh that after ODing on Keanu Reeves in John Wick, she can’t wait to show off her action chops.

Before the lockdown, she wrapped up Umesh Shukla’s laugh riot, Aankh Micholi, revealing that she was so much in awe of co-star Paresh Rawal, she’d forget her lines at times. “He was two different people during Toofaan and Aankh Micholi,” she says, wonderstruck that she’s living out a dream that crystalised when she saw Salma Hayek’s Frida and fell in love with acting. “I had a DVD library membership even as a child and Smita Patil is my inspiration,” she shares.

It wasn’t easy getting her parents’ approval because they believe any publicity, good or bad, is to be avoided. “Now, my parents are my biggest PRs, turning misty-eyed whenever my name rolls in the end credits,” she chuckles.

Her sister is a makeup artist; Super 30 was their first film and they’ve been working together since. “After doing my dandiya, Christmas party, and annual day makeup, my sister knows my skin best and helps me push the envelope. Earlier, I was conscious about what others think, now I dress up for myself. We even create looks of characters that I want to play and put a wish out to the universe so it materialises,” she confides, adding her brother, who is just 16, wants to produce music and pursue a career in gaming. “Currently, he is building his own computer,” she concludes.

Despite breaking out with a powerful performance in Love Sonia (2018), it has been an uphill journey for Mrunal Thakur in Bollywood. Not that she is complaining — she has been patient and prudent, choosing the best of the offers coming her way. Two years into the industry, the actor is now sitting pretty with five projects in her kitty, including the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey. "We have a 25-day schedule lined up. I will travel to Chandigarh and Dehradun soon," she says.

If Mrunal Thakur — who had become a household name with Kumkum Bhagya — made a successful switch from television to movies, she also skilfully shifted gears from indie cinema to mainstream offerings. The coming months will see her headline Toofaan opposite Farhan Akhtar, the Thadam remake with Sidharth Malhotra, Aankh Micholi with Abhimanyu Dassani, and Pippa with Ishaan Khatter and Priyanshu Painyuli.

Ask her what posed the biggest challenge to cracking Bollywood, and she says, "It was to get a debut film, which would showcase my acting skills. It wasn't easy to convince director Tabrez Noorani [that I would be able to pull the role off]. Once Love Sonia started doing the festival rounds, it helped me bag film auditions. When you don't have a godfather, you are on your own. That is the most daunting, and yet, the most empowering feeling. I was scared, but it also made me go by my gut feeling more often. I focussed on good stories rather than screen space. To me, it matters who I am collaborating with. So when a Nikkhil Advani or a Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra offers something, I take the plunge."

Point out that her last release, Batla House, was over a year ago and she reasons that the pandemic has brought the industry to a slowdown. "After Batla House, I wanted the world to see more of my work. We were shooting Jersey when the Coronavirus lockdown was announced. During the stay-at-home period, I read many scripts and spoke to potential collaborators. With lesser noise around, I was deciding better, and signed some brilliant projects. I also lost films, but eventually, good work brings in better work."

“I am careful to not repeat myself and sometimes, I let go of projects just so that I don’t end up stereotyping myself,” says actor Mrunal Thakur, who has diligently worked towards choosing different roles in her three-year-long career. From the acclaimed portrayal of Sonia in Love Sonia (2017) to her monologue in Super 30 (2019), to playing a no-nonsense journalist in Batla House (2019), the actor has reiterated that she will always choose well fleshed out solid parts even when she isn’t playing the titular character like in her debut film Love Sonia.

Thakur says, “For an actor today, exhibiting their range is the most important thing to do. The industry’s storytelling landscape has changed and the usual templates of hero-heroine-villain is gone for good. In such times, it’s important to explore various genres and characters.”

Having transitioned from television to films, Thakur has been part of projects where she could showcase her versatality. She will be seen in the Bahubali origin series for a popular OTT, where she headlines as Sivagami. She also has a number of movies lined up — Toofaan, Jersey, Aankh Micholi, Thadam and Pippa.

Thakur adds, “Pigeonholing is common and when something works, people just expect you to keep repeating that. I know how that ends in saturation, for the viewers and me. I consciously pick different films and genres. I don’t want anyone to have a set notion of what I am capable of. I am an actor and I can do anything that my story demands from me.”

Discussions around biases in Bollywood have been on for a long time now. Industry insiders have expressed displeasure regarding the negative image that’s being painted, and feel social media and trials conducted by a certain section of the media, are only adding to the chaos. Actor Mrunal Thakur couldn’t agree more.

“Today, people think they’re going to influence and change the world via social media, and whatever they’re saying is right. What many don’t realise is that these messages have both positive and negative effects on people. I think those like us with a certain number of following, need to be careful and responsible about what we’re putting out there,” she says.

Thakur shares that Bollywood is one industry that everyone wants to know more about, and hence it remains under constant limelight. “Had it been that bad a place, most of us wouldn’t have survived. For me, Bollywood has been a beautiful journey,” she says.

She adds, “All these judgments and trials, allegations and blame game are destroying the reputation of the industry. There’s good and bad everywhere. I believe in the law and the government. I don’t understand these self-made Sherlock Holmes who’re sitting behind the screens and passing judgments.”

Encouraging aspiring talent nurturing Bollywood dreams, Thakur says, “Do not get worried. Just believe in yourself. All these silliness is going to be put to bed soon.”

Quoting her own example, she shares there have been times when she has been questioned about her decision of joining the industry. “It did affect me initially, but I realised this is my decision and even if I go wrong, I should deal with it. All our childhood, we learn how to be successful, but we never learn how to deal with failures. It’s important to take responsibility for projects that failed much like those that worked,” says the actor.

On how actor Kangana Ranaut has been talking about the issues she feels Bollywood is plagued with, Thakur believes truth always wins. “We all have the freedom to speak our mind, so I don’t want to get involved in what she’s saying,” she says, adding that if given an opportunity, she’ll be happy to collaborate with Ranaut. “We’re all professionals here. She’s a good actor and I’m sure I’ll get to learn a lot from her,” ends Thakur.