Mrunal Thakur transitioned into Bollywood with Super 30 (2019) after being a television actor. Here’s a look at her journey so far.
Mrunal Thakur is certainly one of the most versatile, pan-India actors of her generation, and her career trajectory has been inspiring. Interestingly, when often transitions from television to film fail, she has broken through and how. As she turns 33 years old on August 1, here’s how she made sure to not be afraid of roles that require courage and craft.
For those caught unaware, Mrunal first starred in TV as the lovable Bulbul in the Zee TV soap Kumkum Bhagya, and her girl-next-door charm made her a fan favourite. However, soon, she left the comforts of daily TV stardom and took the uncharted road of Indian cinema, and it was a bold move for a young actor. However, she was determined to avoid being typecast.
She made her big-screen debut, not in Bollywood, but in the internationally acclaimed Indo-American film Love Sonia (2018). The film featured her as a teenager caught in the web of human trafficking, and her emotionally raw performance proved she was here to act.
She then transitioned into Bollywood with Super 30 (2019), opposite Hrithik Roshan. Mrunal played the spirited love interest of the protagonist, and her natural ease blended her into commercial cinema. Next up, she starred in Batla House (2019), and soon after, in Toofaan (2021). However, it was not until Jersey (2022), the remake of the Telugu hit, that made her more than a rising star. Over the years, she has organically built her fan base identity through impactful work in multiple languages.
Mrunal then made her Telugu debut in Sita Ramam (2022), which turned out to be a game changer. As Princess Noor Jahan / Sita Mahalakshmi, she gave a poetic and powerful performance, and it was loved by both critics and audiences. It turned out to be a box office hit, and Mrunal became a household name across India. She next up featured in Hi Nanna (2023), opposite Nani, and she effortlessly bridged the North-South divide with linguistic finesse, and sincerity.
To say the least, she has become a go-to choice for filmmakers looking for an actress, who can bring depth without sacrificing mainstream appeal.
Moving ahead, she has several projects lined up in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, and she is certainly rewriting the definition of an Indian film heroine. As Mrunal turns a year older today, it seems her journey from the small screen to superstardom is just getting started. Happy Birthday, Mrunal Thakur.
