Mrunal Thakur’s journey from small-town Maharashtra to the Bollywood big leagues has been anything but ordinary. Born in Dhule, she first won hearts – and plenty of TV awards – as Bulbul in the daily soap “Kumkum Bhagya” back in 2014. But after a few years enjoying the security and stardom of prime-time TV, Mrunal did what few manage: she left a hit show at its peak, risking it all to chase bigger dreams on the silver screen.
That gamble paid off in unexpected ways. Her first major film role, the international indie “Love Sonia” (2018), saw her portray a young woman caught in the web of human trafficking – a role that couldn’t be further from the glamour of typical Bollywood debuts. The subject was challenging, the story tough to watch, but her performance was magnetic, earning her both critical praise and new opportunities.
Mainstream success followed, with parts in “Super 30” and “Batla House,” but it was her heartfelt portrayal opposite Shahid Kapoor in “Jersey” that really established Mrunal as a leading force. She brought a quiet strength to the screen – delivering vulnerability and resilience in equal measure – that left a lasting impression on audiences and directors alike.
Behind the Scenes
Unlike many rising stars, Mrunal has managed to keep a chunk of her life away from the spotlight. Scroll through her Instagram and you’ll mostly find snippets from film sets, candid moments with family, or snapshots from her travels. Rarely does she share anything too personal – and especially not when it comes to her love life.
Even after almost a decade in the public eye, she’s proven a master at sidestepping tabloid drama. Don’t expect to find a trail of high-profile romances or PR-fueled relationships – if there’s dating news, she’s not sharing. When pressed in a 2022 Filmfare interview about her relationship status, she just grinned and said, “Right now, I’m dating my work and it’s quite the demanding partner.” It’s a disarming bit of humor that says all she wants to say.
Rumors are part and parcel of celebrity, of course. There was some predictable gossip linking her to Hrithik Roshan (her “Super 30” co-star) and, more recently, to Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor after a dinner sighting. Both were brushed off – Mrunal keeps things close to the vest, preferring to let speculation die down on its own.
Balancing Act
If there’s a thread running through Mrunal’s approach to both career and personal life, it’s balance. On a podcast last year, she spoke frankly about how fast-paced the industry can be. Long shoots and constant travel make relationships complicated, but for her, staying true to herself matters more than meeting anyone’s expectations. “I’d rather be single than settle for something that doesn’t feel authentic,” she admitted – a rare, unfiltered take in an industry obsessed with image.
Outside of acting, travel is her escape. Whether it’s hiking in Ladakh or soaking in beach sunsets in Bali, she finds inspiration for her roles in the places and people she encounters along the way. Her social media occasionally sparkles with evidence – a windswept selfie here, a temple silhouette there – but it always feels more about the experience than the performance.
Talk to her colleagues and one thing comes up over and over: Mrunal’s groundedness. Directors mention her humility, and her “Sita Ramam” director Hanu Raghavapudi once said, “Some actors bring their stardom to set. Mrunal brings her humanity.” It’s the kind of praise that can’t be manufactured.
Past Relationships
Sumanth
Dhanush
Siddhant Chaturvedi
Badshah
Arjit Taneja
Sharad Tripathi
Kushal Tandon
With each passing year, Mrunal Thakur seems to prove that you can carve your own path in Bollywood without surrendering your privacy or yourself. She lets her work do most of the talking – and for now, that story is just getting started.