Mrunal Thakur

Mrunal Thakur (born 1 August 1992) is an Indian actress who has built a versatile career across Hindi and Telugu cinema as well as television. Born into a Marathi‑speaking family in Dhule, Maharashtra, she attended St. Joseph's Convent School in Jalgaon and later Vasant Vihar High School near Mumbai before enrolling at KC College, which she left to pursue acting. Her early break came in 2012 when she was cast as Gauri Bhosle in the Star Plus soap Mujhse Kuchh Kehti…Yeh Khamoshiyaan, a role that showcased her ability to convey both innocence and resilience. She subsequently gained wider recognition portraying Bulbul Arora Khanna in Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya from 2014 to 2016, a performance that earned her the ITA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. After a series of television appearances, including reality shows such as Box Cricket League and Nach Baliye, she transitioned to films, debuting in the Marathi feature Hello Nandan (2014) and later appearing in Vitti Dandu and Surajya. Her first major Hindi film, the internationally‑focused Love Sonia (2018), saw her immerse herself in the world of human trafficking, even staying in a brothel to study the lives of sex workers, a testament to her dedication to craft. 2019 proved pivotal as she starred opposite Hrithik Roshan in Super 30 and alongside John Abraham in Batla House, both commercial successes that cemented her status in Bollywood. The actress then expanded into Telugu cinema with her acclaimed debut opposite Dulquer Salmaan in Sita Ramam (2022), a blockbuster that earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. In 2023 she delivered a praised performance in Hi Nanna, further solidifying her reputation for choosing strong, nuanced roles. Beyond acting, Mrunal is known for her humanitarian efforts, curating a food‑donation drive for stray animals and serving as a brand ambassador for Lakme and Dulux. Critics often describe her as “honest and heart‑warming,” highlighting her commitment to scripts that present women of substance and her willingness to explore diverse genres from period romance to gritty thrillers.