Mrunal Thakur on chasing opportunities as an outsider: ‘Aditya Dhar was the 1st director I approached’

Mrunal Thakur, who began her acting career nearly 15 years ago, admits that her early years as an outsider in Bollywood were challenging. In a new interview, she revealed that over time, she learned to shed her inhibitions and proactively seek opportunities to grow as an actor. Her upcoming film, Do Deewane Seher Mein, is a result of this approach, as she personally reached out to director Ravi Udyawar.

For Mrunal, taking the initiative isn’t new. She recalls that Aditya Dhar, whose latest film, Dhurandhar, impressed her, was actually the first director she ever approached for work. “Opportunities didn’t come to me easily. I had to create them, chase them, make sure my face was seen by directors and say, ‘Sir, main hoon! Kisi na kisi din cast kar lena please.’ When I spoke to Aditya sir after Dhurandhar, I told him I’ll always remember that day. I didn’t know how to ask for work properly back then,” she shares.

Mrunal says that she believes there is great value in taking a proactive approach to her career. She often reaches out to people she admires, even if she doesn’t know them personally, finding ways to connect and express her interest. As an artist, she strives to have her work appreciated and seeks to collaborate with talent who can bring something unique to a project. According to her, when directors see an actor genuinely hungry for a role, it changes their perspective on the film, knowing the performer will give it their all.