Actress Amruta Khanvilkar, known for her stellar performances in films like Neeraj Pandey’s Taskaree and Space Gen Chandrayaan, recently opened up about the stereotyping she faces in the industry despite over a decade of consistent work across films, television, and OTT platforms.
Stereotypes Persist Despite Success
In an exclusive conversation with Screen, Amruta revealed that professional labels still follow her. She explained:
“I still face some stigma. I often get to hear that you are a Marathi actor. So what? I will work somewhere, right? I just ignore it now.”
The actress also highlighted how actors are sometimes judged for being “overexposed” or carrying “baggage,” especially if they have extensive experience in television.
“You will be told that you are overexposed or that you come with baggage because you are a star on TV,” she added.
Amruta chooses to focus on her craft rather than engage with these remarks, saying:
“These things get said; it’s like the remark about being from the Marathi industry — there is no end to this. Some actors choose to speak about it; I choose to ignore it.”
Shifts in Industry Mindset
Despite the challenges, Amruta believes the entertainment industry is evolving. She noted that many old myths are slowly breaking, especially for women and regional actors:
- Careers no longer end after marriage.
- Secondary characters can transition to lead roles.
- Television actors can successfully cross over to films.
“Earlier, there were so many norms and restrictions. But now the industry is far more accepting — especially for women and artists who do not fit traditional moulds,” she shared.
Theatre Ventures Ahead
In addition to her screen work, Amruta is gearing up for her Marathi play Lagna Panchami, directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari. The play, which also stars Swwapnil Joshi and Madhugandha Kulkarni, premieres on January 9 and will run across Mumbai, Pune, and Satara until January 25.
