Talented film and TV actor, Amruta Khanvilkar, is basking in the limelight, with the success of Alia Bhatt starrer, Raazi.
“Apart from working with Meghna Gulzar and Dharma Productions, what I really liked about this spy story was that all the characters were very well etched out. No one was less important. People have come forward to tell me that my character Munira was equally pivotal to the overall narrative. Also, the fact that it was based on a real-life story, helped us better connect with the audiences,” says Amruta.
Talking about her character, she states, “I played a Pakistani Muslim lady, who lives in a time when women were mostly focused on taking care of the house, and so was she. Sahmet (Alia Bhatt) and she shared a sisterly bond, and the former really felt bad for doing what she did. It was really challenging to play a character with so much dignified restraint.”
Amruta, who has done several Marathi films, accepts that commercial success does change the ball game. “Your work gets recognized, and more offers start flowing your way. Next, you will see me opposite Manoj Baypayee, in Milap Zaveri‘s Satyamev Jayete.”
Looking ahead, she is open to doing all kinds of cinema, be it Marathi or Hindi. The content needs to be good, period. “Interestingly, it might have been my portrayal of a Muslim lady, in the Marathi flick, Katyar Kaljat Ghusali, which may have encouraged Dharma to choose me for Raazi”.
“Marathi films have really grown in stature, with even Dharma making a foray into this regional space. It is good to see both film industries collaborate, and remake films in the other language,” states the actress.
Amruta, last seen on TV, hosting Dance India Dance (Season 6), says she has never left TV. “I will do one more small-screen show, if I get something really meaty. I need to raise the bar after my avatar in 24, Season 2, which saw me play an aged minister and abused wife. There, I also got a chance to rub shoulders with seniors like Anil Kapoor.”
She had also won Nach Baliye 7, along with husband Himmanshoo A. Malhotra, back in 2015.
Staying true to her statement, of looking for good work across mediums, she has also tried her hands at web. “I am playing a Christian psycho-killer character, in a Hungama digital show, which will stream from next month.”
Here, she refused to comment much on the rampant s*x and abuse on web, saying, “People do take advantage of lack of censorship. My show is bold too, but it does not go overboard. I am not comfortable doing extremely edgy stuff.”
Way to go, Amruta!!