Mrunal Thakur: Decision is never based on my character’s age

Playing a mother in Jersey, Mrunal discusses fighting the misguided notion that ageing on screen compromises one’s glamorous image

The box-office figures of Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey may be underwhelming, but leading lady Mrunal Thakur considers the sports drama an important addition to her filmography. The Gowtam Tinnanuri-directed film gave her a role that was “special” to her. “Vidya is a far cry from what I have done before, and to see that being appreciated makes me happy,” she smiles.

In Jersey, the leads begin their journey as starry-eyed college sweethearts, going on to become an unhappy married couple jaded by their unrealised ambitions. Playing mother to a seven-year-old may be viewed as a risky move by some actors, but Thakur says a character’s age is not a determining factor for her when choosing roles. “There have been times when actors were cast for their ability to play a role, irrespective of their age. Many have been applauded by the industry for taking up the challenge. My decision to work in a film has not been, and will never be based on my character’s age. It is dependent on [whether] the script resonates with me, or how challenging it would be to play a much younger or older version of myself. Make-up and styling do not help elevate the performances in such cases. Instead, it is how we perfect the mannerisms of a character that is nowhere near our actual age.”

Not too long ago, female actors would be advised by so-called well-wishers against ageing on screen. They would argue that it clashes with the glamorous image of a leading lady. Did she receive such advice? Thakur pauses for a bit, before saying, “Yes and no. Of course, there are people who have such reservations. I have met people who believe that on-screen age matters. But times are changing. Most decision-makers know that a good actor has the sensibility to choose parts not [based on] such [factors], but on the basis of the way the role is written.”

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