Mrunal Thakur shares how Toofan character takes closer to her roots

Mrunal Thakur

While Toofaan focuses on the protagonist's evolution from a local goon in Dongri to a star boxer, the tender love story between Farhan Akhtar and Mrunal Thakur forms the drama's backbone. Thakur says her doctor character Ananya is integral to the narrative as she inspires protagonist Aziz Ali to turn to professional boxing.

"Ananya is a motivator not only in Ajju's [Akhtar's character] life, but also in those of everyone around her. She is liberal, firmly believes in equality and most importantly, is a woman with a vision. Off screen, I was inspired by her and the way she looks at things. Now, when I wake up every day, I ask myself how I can inspire [others around me]," says the actor, happy to embrace the role in the Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra-directed project.

Thakur with Akhtar in Toofaan

If the part came with aspirational values, it also shared similarities with her real-life persona. "Ananya and I are both Maharashtrians," says Thakur, thrilled that the Amazon Prime Video sports drama gave her an opportunity to speak in her mother tongue. "You will hear me speak Marathi in between because it comes so naturally. When you have actors like Paresh sir [Rawal] responding in Marathi, it [accentuates the authenticity] and creativity."