An overview into how the actress has got meatier parts down south and has made complete use of it, starting from the romantic blockbuster Sita Ramam to the latest Dacoit with a muti layered character
In the success meet of Mrunal’s new movie Dacoit director and producer Nag Ashwin made a big statement about Mrunal’s acting abilities. He compared her to some legendary actresses saying that she should be wiser in choosing films. One of the things he talked about was her ability to portray characters with emotional intensity. Nag Ashwin’s statement feels very much true especially given her work in Telugu cinema.
Before getting into Mrunal’s Telugu films it’s important to give a background into her early career. Before making her Hindi debut Mrunal has been part of TV shows. A very notable stint is Kumkum Bhagya. As the vivacious younger sister, the actress made her presence amply felt, the actress particularly shined in the intense scenes showing her dramatic chops at an early stage. Love Sonia released in 2018 was her first Hindi movie; the movie was a gritty take on sex trade and prostitution.
Mrunal’s role has heavy emotional bits as well as scenes of graphic violence. Mrunal made a knock out debut capturing the quiet inner strength, as a viewer you root for her mission of finding the sister who is sold off by her debt-ridden father. Love Sonia had its screening at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It is here that Mrunal’s paths crossed with Nag Ashwin. His second movie Mahanati was part of the film festival too. Cut to the year 2022 Mrunal was leading lady in Hanu Raghavapudi’s Sita Ramam. The movie was produced under the banner of Vyjayanthi movies and Swapna cinema.
Sita Ramam is by no means a novel story. It has shades of both Hollywood and Hindi cinema. Having said that the film is a well-made poetic love story with a good mix of romance and intense moments. As Sita Mrunal was both stunning as well delivering a solid act. Whether it’s the flirtation scenes or portions showing emotional intensity the actress was simply top notch, she more than held her own opposite the magnetic Dulquer Salman. It was a fantastic Telugu debut by all means. And it got ever better with the second one Hi Nanna.
In this Shouryuv directorial Mrunal was seen in the role of Yashna. The character of Yashna comes with multiple shades both in the flashback portions establishing the love story as well as the present timeline. The character goes through numerous emotional upheavals, she has major anxiety problems and this stems from growing up in a broken home. More than Nani Mrunal stole the show conveying the various feelings with just her expressive eyes. After two solid acts a speed breaker came in the form of The Family Star.
The Family Star directed by Geeta Govindam fame Parasuram was a convoluted romantic drama especially the second half portions of US. In the Family Star Mrunal’s character comes with two shades. In the beginning the viewers see her as a girl next door and then a CEO with a tough exterior while having a compassionate nature. In spite of Parasuram’s subpar writing Mrunal was very effective in portraying both the shades.
Mrunal’s lastest Telugu movie is the recent Dacoit. Keeping aside whatever the final numbers of this Shaniel Deo’s directorial would be, there is no denying that Mrunal has won lots of hearts with her fabulous performance. The multi-faceted Adavi Sesh deserves utmost praise for writing a strong character like Sarswati. Though Adavi Sesh is the leading man Mrunal is the main pillar of the movie. The actress did a fantastic job in portraying the resilience of Sarswati. The gradual unraveling of different layers was brought out superbly by both Adavi Sesh in his writing, and of course Mrunal Thakur who was an absolute knock out capturing both the vulnerability and a fighting spirit. A special mention must be made of Mrunal in the climatic portions post a crucial reveal.
No wonder Mrunal has received praise from many quarters, whether its Rahul Ravindran, Nandini Reddy and Allu Aravind. She has truly become a Telugu heroine with a separate fan base. As Nag Ashwin said in the event it’s necessary that the actress avoids random stuff as much as possible, keeping aside the comparisons to legendary actresses, Mrunal is an extremely capable performer who can go a long way. Here’s hoping that Hindi cinema also taps more into Mrunal’s talent giving her parts that she deserves
