Mrunal Thakur Interview: On Hi Nanna, Sita Ramam, & the Struggle of Recognition
You concluded 2023 with a bang, ‘Hi Nanna’ received a lot of love and so did your character of Yashna…
You know what I love about Yashna? It’s the fact that she helped me to understand that ‘whatever is meant to be, it will come to you’.It might take time but it will. Like how Viraj (Nani), she loses him, but eventually they end up together, which is so beautiful. And every day I’m seeing that it’s not just Yashna, but Sita from ‘Sita Ramam’ also. Both the films are just aging like wine, like every day people are appreciating, making 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 really good when they appreciate those small efforts that we’ve taken.
And I am happy that people are discovering those minute, tiny details like my character of Yashna, it was tough because I’m not a mother. I’ve played a mother before in ‘Jersey’ but not so intensely. But here, I keep telling this to Kiara, my daughter Mahi in the film, that you’re my first daughter. Like, whenever my child will be born, that child will always be second. She’s my first .
Do you know how many people have actually kept Yashna’s photograph as their screensaver on their phones?
You won’t believe it, Nandini Reddy, the director from Hyderabad was taking a flight to Bombay and when she was returning , she said people on her left and on her right were sobbing while watching ‘Hi Nanna’. And I felt so good. Screensaver, yes. Someone even sent me a screenshot that my friend’s friend has kept you as a screensaver, especially in that white outfit and in that black saree.
Coming to 2024, you are shouldering the responsibility of a biggie like ‘Pooja Meri Jaan’ with Huma Qureshi. Do you think it’s high time that you get your due and are recognized for your solo endeavours?
To be honest, this is what I want. If I speak, it will look like I’m being pompous. So the audience should say it. I am where I am because of the audience’s love, support and the immense amount of faith that they have shown towards me. And I just want to celebrate cinema and be a part of stories which would leave a mark on the people’s heart. But having said that, I think it’s high time I get my due. ‘Pooja Meri Jaan’ will hopefully answer that question. It’s a beautiful film which resonated with me. I have fought for that film.
In what way?
I really wanted to play Pooja and I had auditioned for it. I remember it was my last day of ‘Sita Ramam’ shoot. I packed up really late and got home at 3 am and at 4.30 am, I had to catch a flight to Mumbai. My flight got delayed and I landed at 9:30 am. I had to read the scenes and I was like, there’s no way I can let go of this character. I have fought for that part. When I got the synopsis, I met the director, and I read the script. I’m like, I want to be a part of this film. I mean, no one apart from Mrunal can play this part.
Nani and you had this very interesting social media game where you’ll indulged in dance videos. What was it?
Look Nani Garu is a very shy person. And you know I love social media, and creating and shooting videos. I love to be in front of cameras. So when Nani Garu said he was free after pack up, I asked him if we could shoot a video. I explained everything to him and he has also started enjoying it. Like even Dulquer, he’ll be like how much this girl likes promotions yaar? (laughs).
Of all your co-stars who has been the most difficult when it comes to dance?
All my co-actors love dancing. But I’m really sad that I didn’t get an opportunity to dance with Hrithik when we worked in 2017-18. I even complained to Shahid as well that ‘Jersey’ is such a serious film, I need to do a chill film with him where I can dance with him and Ishaan too. So when I don’t get the opportunity to dance in films, I capture it all for my Instagram.
You also have a film with Vijay Devarakonda called Family Star in the pipeline…
There I’ve danced a lot (laughs). It is a full on entertainment, entertainment, entertainment kind of movie. The film is a mix of commercial and true values, today everyone is making a commercial film but what are you learning from it? And the title says it all. I’m really looking forward to working with Parshuram Garu, who was the director of ‘Geetha Govindam’, what a film it was. I’m so excited to work with him because he’s a beautiful writer also and there are some moments that only he can write. I think his biggest weapon is his writing.
