With the Pan-India action romantic thriller Dacoit set to hit theaters on April 10, 2026, Mrunal Thakur is all set to showcase a completely new side of herself. Starring Adivi Sesh and featuring Anurag Kashyap in a key role, the film is directed by debutant Shaniel Deo and backed by Annapurna Studios. On this occasion, we caught up with Mrunal Thakur for a quick chat. Here are the excerpts.
What drew you to Dacoit and your character Saraswati?
What really excited me was the emotional journey of the character. Saraswati is layered and complex, and the story explores why these characters turn into dacoits. It’s not just action, there’s a unique love story at the heart of it. That’s what made it very interesting for me.
You’re known for emotional roles. How different is this one?
This is completely different from what I’ve done before. Saraswati is one of the most challenging roles in my career. There’s action, intensity, and a raw emotional side. It pushed me as an actor and gave me a lot of satisfaction.
We see you doing action in the trailer. How was that experience?
I really enjoyed it. I love driving, so the chase sequences were exciting. But they were also quite risky. I had to perform intense driving scenes, including handling an ambulance in high-pressure moments. It was challenging but very thrilling.
How different is Saraswati from Sita in Sita Ramam?
They are completely different. Audiences have seen me in a certain light before, but this film shows a totally new side. I think that surprise factor will really connect.
How was it working with Adivi Sesh and Anurag Kashyap?
Sesh is extremely dedicated and very involved in every aspect of filmmaking. It was inspiring to work with him, and I feel this will be one of his best performances. Anurag sir is very versatile, and his role in the film will be quite special.
The film is shot in both Telugu and Hindi. Was that challenging?
Yes, performing in two languages added a layer of difficulty, but it also made the experience more exciting. It required a different level of focus.
The music has already created buzz. What can we expect?
Yes, “Rubaroo” has been getting great response, and there’s more to come. The music is definitely one of the highlights of the film.
What can audiences expect from Dacoit overall?
It’s a film with strong emotions, intense action, and a different kind of love story. Visually also, it will feel very fresh. It’s a complete theatrical experience, and I’m sure it will surprise audiences.