Mrunal Thakur: It’s high time I get my due as an actor – Exclusive | Hindi Movie News

Mrunal Thakur has been part of the Cinema industry for almost a decade and his performance in box office hits like Toofan, Jersey and Sita Ramam established its supremacy in the industry. The actress is currently working on multiple projects across industries and just delivered the super hit ‘Hello nana‘. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Mrunal spoke about the film, the response she got and how she loves to make her co-stars dance on social media.

You concluded 2023 with a bang, ‘Hello Nanna’ received a lot of love and so did your character Yashna…
Do you know what I love about Yashna? It’s the fact that she helped me understand that ‘whatever is meant to be, will come to you.’ It may take time, but it will happen. Like how Viraj (nani), she loses him, but they end up together eventually, which is so beautiful. And every day I see that it is not only Yashna but also Sita from ‘Sita Ramam’. Both films just age like wine, like every day people appreciate them, make edits, like this is cinema and these are moments and how they’re like taking clips of the best scenes. And it also makes me feel very good when they appreciate those small efforts we have made.
And I’m happy that people are discovering those little details like my character Yashna; It was difficult because I’m not a mother. I’ve played a mother before in ‘Jersey’ but not with such intensity. But here I keep telling this to Kiara, my daughter Mahi in the film, that you are my first daughter. For example, every time my child is born, that child will always be the second. She is my first.
Do you know how many people have saved Yashna’s photo as a screensaver on their phones?
You won’t believe it, Nandini Reddy, the director of Hyderabad was taking a flight to Mumbai and when she was returning, she said that people to her left and right were sobbing while watching ‘Hello Nanna’. And I felt so good. Screensaver, yes. Someone even sent me a screenshot that my friend’s friend has saved you as a screensaver, especially in that white suit and black saree.

Coming to 2024, you will take the responsibility of a big juggernaut like ‘Pooja Meri Jaan’ with Huma Qureshi. Do you think it’s time for you to get your due and be recognized for your solo efforts?
To be honest, this is what I want. If I speak, it will seem like I am being pompous. Then the public should say it. I am where I am thanks to the public’s love, support and the immense faith they have shown towards me. And I just want to celebrate cinema and be part of stories that would leave a mark in people’s hearts. But having said that, I think it’s time to get what’s coming to me. Hopefully ‘Pooja Meri Jaan’ answers that question. It’s a beautiful film that resonated with me. I have fought for that film.
Which way?
She really wanted to play Pooja and had auditioned for it. I remember it was my last day of shooting for ‘Sita Ramam’. I packed my bags very late and reached home at 3 in the morning and at 4:30 I had to catch a flight to Mumbai. My flight was delayed and I landed at 9:30 am. I had to read the scenes and I thought: there is no way to let this character go. I have fought for that role. When I received the synopsis, I met the director and read the script. I think, I want to be a part of this movie. I mean, no one other than Mrunal can play this role.
You and Nani have a very interesting social media game in which you will enjoy dance videos. What was it?
Look Nani Garu He is a very shy person. And you know I love social media and creating and recording videos. I love being in front of the cameras. So when Nani Garu said that she was free after packing her bags, I asked her if we could shoot a video. I explained everything to him and he has started to enjoy it too. Even as Dulquer, he will say how much this girl likes promotions, yaar? (laughs).

Of all your co-stars, who has been the most difficult when it comes to dancing?

All my co-stars love to dance. But I am very sad that I didn’t get a chance to dance with Hrithik when we worked in 2017-18. I even complained to Shahid that ‘Jersey’ is such a serious film that I need to do a quiet film with him where I can dance with him and Ishaan too. So when I don’t get the chance to dance in movies, I capture it all for my Instagram.
You also have a film with Vijay Devarakonda called Family Star in the pipeline…
I have danced a lot there (laughs). It is a movie full of entertainment, entertainment, entertainment. The film is a mix of commercial and true values, today everyone makes a commercial film but what do you learn from it? And the title says it all. I am really looking forward to working with Parshuram Garu, who was the director of ‘Geetha Govindam’, what a film it was. I am very excited to work with him because he is also a beautiful writer and there are some moments where only he can write. I think his greatest weapon is his writing.