Yogesh Mishra | yogesh@bollywoodtown.in
Mrinal Kulkarni, one of the finest actresses and directors, is known for her role as Mirabai in Doordarshan’s Mirabai and as an angel in Star Plus’s Son Pari. Apart from the Hindi film and TV industry, she has also made a great contribution to the Marathi film and TV industry. Her three films were released in the same month (November 2024), so we can understand how much she occupied in her professional life. In an exclusive interview with Yogesh Mishra, she spoke about her latest critically acclaimed movie, Dhai Aakhar, her viewpoint on if movies are to be made on literature, changing trends in cinema viewing, and more.
Your latest movie, “Dhai Aakhar,” is based on a novel. How is this story or title relevant in the current scenario?
You recall the lines of Kabir Das, “Dhai Aakhar Prem Ka Padhe So Pandit Hoye,” but our current generation may not recall or remember such a fine poetic work of Kabir Das ji, but they must be understanding the meaning of Dhai Aakhar. This film is based on the novel “Teerthatan Ke Baad.” This is too poetic, so I just love such kinds of literary work. There are still people who love to watch such kinds of content based on literary work.
The 70s and 80s were the eras when many Indian films were made based on literature. But what can be the reason now hardly any movie is based on the literature?
I think there are no consistent efforts to convert literature into a film. In Hollywood, almost every second film is based on literature, either on best-sellers or on history. I’m sorry to say, it’s missing in India. It’s not just me, but there are lots of actors and directors who wish to make a film based on literature. I wish after watching my film Dhai Aakhar, more and more filmmakers may get inspired to make films based on literature. 
What is the way forward for the movies based on literature?
Parineeta-like films had their own craze. I think, to a larger extent, regional movies, especially Bengali and Marathi films, are still focused on literature. I think such a movie must be made. This trend must go on.
Earlier, the parameter of calling a film a hit or flop was broadly based on the number of days it ran in a cinema hall, like silver jubilee, golden jubilee, and diamond jubilee, but now the parameter is purely based on the box office collection. How do you see this change?
I don’t think anybody can change this concept, but the only thing we can do is that we can continue producing good content and try to bring some changes for the viewers. We should tell viewers that we also make this kind of cinema (based on literature). There is also a section of the society that likes such cinema too.
Don’t you think there should be a collective effort to make more and more cinemas based on our great Indian literature?
Yes, of course, you and I, like literary people, can think of it, and we can do it. If people like Praveen Arora ji (director of the film “Dhai Aakhar”) come together, then definitely we can have more and more good movies based on literature.
As an actor, you have experienced working with films, TV, and OTT as well. What, according to you, is the best medium of entertainment?
Acting is all about living a character given to you. I think, let it be any medium, but the process is the same. We as an actor are supposed to live that character, and it should be convincing. So, medium does not matter to me.
Any message for the readers related to your latest released movie, Dhai Aakhar?
This is a literature-based film. This film gives a message that if a woman gets an opportunity to live a better life after a traumatic married life, can she take a call on that? This film will compel such people to think on that.
