Actor Mrunal Thakur says she has consciously decided to maintain a steady presence in both Bollywood and South cinema, following her successful outings in Telugu films.
Born in Dhule, Maharashtra, Thakur received widespread acclaim for her Telugu debut in Sita Ramam, where she starred opposite Dulquer Salmaan. She followed it up with another romantic drama, Hi Nanna, alongside Nani.
A Conscious Career Choice
Reflecting on her journey, Thakur shared that earlier in her career, timing did not always align with her plans. Now, she feels the moment is right to give equal attention to multiple industries.
Having begun her acting career on television with shows like Mujhse Kuch Kehti… Yeh Khamoshiyaan and Kumkum Bhagya, the actor says her focus today is on meaningful storytelling rather than language barriers.
She also expressed interest in entering Tamil cinema but noted that she is being selective. According to her, the benchmark set by Sita Ramam makes it important to choose the right debut project in Tamil. For Thakur, the emotional depth of a script outweighs the language in which it is made.
Upcoming Hindi Release
Mrunal is now gearing up for the theatrical release of Do Deewane Seher Mein, directed by Ravi Udyawar, known for Mom. The romantic drama stars Siddhant Chaturvedi opposite her.
The film explores the story of two socially awkward millennials navigating insecurities and societal expectations. Thakur describes it as an unconventional love story rooted in realism. Unlike some of her earlier Hindi projects such as Super 30 and Batla House, this film allowed her to portray a contemporary character set firmly in the 2020s.
She believes the film highlights growth in relationships — rising in love rather than falling into it — and says the experience reinforced the value of self-love.
Living a ‘David Dhawan Heroine’ Dream
The actor is also part of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by veteran filmmaker David Dhawan. She stars alongside Varun Dhawan and Pooja Hegde.
Calling it a dream come true, Thakur described working with David Dhawan as a joyful experience, adding that she grew up watching his films. She also mentioned that Karisma Kapoor remains her favourite heroine from his cinematic universe.
On Rumoured Collaboration with Atlee and Allu Arjun
Addressing speculation about a potential collaboration with filmmaker Atlee and superstar Allu Arjun in the tentatively titled AA22xA6, Thakur said she is hopeful but cautious.
She praised Allu Arjun’s performances in Pushpa: The Rise and Pushpa 2: The Rule, calling herself a fan of his screen presence and dance skills.
For now, she remains focused on her upcoming releases while keeping her “fingers crossed” for future collaborations.
