“I’m Not Afraid to Fail. I Want to Fail”: Mrunal Thakur on Creating Her Own Opportunities and Producing a Marathi Film at IFP Season 16
On Day 2 of IFP Season 16, actor Mrunal Thakur joined Shravan Shah for On Making Her Mark, reflecting on the choices, risks, and defining moments that have shaped her journey as an actor. From taking on stories that go beyond entertainment to creating opportunities on her own terms, Mrunal spoke about the importance of conviction, the freedom to fail, and her next creative venture as a producer with an upcoming Marathi-language short film centred on water.
Reflecting on her decision to take on Love Sonia, Mrunal said, “So, in my head, I was thinking whether I want to do a risky film or I want to do an important film? And this was that important film which changed a lot of things for a lot of women.” She also spoke about the impact of the film on her journey, adding, “That was my biggest award. And I felt like whenever this film releases, and if I can save or if I can make this world a better place to live in, and why not?”
Recounting how she landed the role of Sita in Sita Ramam, Mrunal revealed that she was initially approached for the character played by Rashmika Mandanna. As Mrunal recalled, “But suddenly, Hanu sir felt that, ‘No, she’s my Sita.’” Describing her own instinct after hearing the narration, she added, “Mrunal, you have to be Sita; no one other than Mrunal Thakur can play Sita in Sita Ramam.”
Speaking about her approach to career choices and the importance of creating opportunities rather than waiting for them, she said, “But today, I think at this moment in 2026, I’m telling you guys openly that I’m not afraid to fail. I want to fail, because only if I know what it feels like to fail, then only I’ll succeed.”
She went on to share a major announcement about her next creative venture. The project will be in Marathi, her mother tongue, marking another step in her effort to create opportunities for herself and champion stories she believes in: “So, this film that I’m producing is based on water, and it’s a 17-minute film, which is again made by this Student Academy Award-winning director, Nishanth, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
From a 50-hour filmmaking challenge that began in 2011 to a multidisciplinary creative platform bringing creators from across the world together, IFP brings the 16th season with the same idea at its heart: make something, put it out into the world, and see where it takes you.
Building on 15 glorious editions, IFP Season 16 continues to be a meeting ground for the people making, shaping, and reimagining culture across creative disciplines!