Aanchal Munjal, who made her Bollywood debut as a child actor in We Are a Family (2010) alongside Kajol, Arjun Rampal, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, is grabbing the eyeballs with her small but impactful role in the Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna starrer blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule. In an exclusive interview with The Movie Mail, Aanchal shared her inspiring journey from being a three-year-old dreamer in Haryana to carving her niche in the entertainment industry.
Aanchal also candidly addressed the tragic stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the screening of Pushpa 2, which ended up dragging superstar Allu Arjun in controversy. Reflecting on her rise, the challenges of transitioning from a child actor to a leading lady, and the evolving representation of women in cinema, Aanchal offers a compelling glimpse into the life and thoughts of a modern-day actor navigating fame and responsibility.
Edited excerpts:
Q: It’s been a month since the film’s release, and it has created history. Your role has also been widely appreciated. How do you look at this journey?
A: The response has been overwhelming! The film’s success has opened new doors, giving me incredible visibility. Audiences across the globe have watched it, and my social media following has soared. I’ve received heartfelt messages not just from friends and acquaintances but also from industry stalwarts. New opportunities are coming my way, and I’m carefully choosing what aligns with my goals. It’s truly a joyful and humbling experience.
Q: When did you realize acting was more than just fun and games, especially since you started as a child actor?
A: Acting wasn’t about validation for me—it was pure joy. As a child, I can vividly remember how I was captivated by a poster of Sushmita Sen at home. At three, I declared, “Mumma, I’m an actress!” My mother thought it was just childhood imagination. I’d mimic people, perform dances, and create little shows at home, trying to prove my passion for acting. When I was nine, my mother understood that I am serious about acting and she brought me from Haryana to Mumbai. That was 2006. It felt like a foreign city back then. That time even social media and talent agencies were not there like we have now, so reaching out to people was quite a task. She visited production houses with my photos, and within 26 days, I landed my first role as a child artist in Shanno Ki Shaadi (a sitcom that aired on Star Plus). I was really fortunate.
While I always loved acting, my perspective shifted with Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi (which aired on Sony TV). The nationwide fame taught me the power of on-screen characters and helped me handle both praise and criticism because people used to recognize me in public and talk to me. Now, I stay grounded—compliments don’t inflate my ego, and criticism doesn’t break my spirit.
Q: What kind of criticism have you faced?
A: After Pushpa 2, I received a lot of praise for sharing screen space with a superstar like Allu Arjun sir. But some remarks were dismissive, like “Ek 8-second ka role karke kya hi ukhad liya!” I’ve learned not to let such comments affect me. I know my role was small, so what? Success isn’t measured in seconds—it’s about the impact you make.
Q: You have already proven your acting talent in films like We Are a Family and shows like – Parvarrish and Gumrah: End of Innocence. Do you think your role in Pushpa 2 was challenging enough?
A: I understand your point but you see, as actors, we don’t always get to choose our roles. In the South, not all filmmakers know about my past work. On Pushpa 2 sets, my role was small, and some dialogues didn’t make the final cut due to the film’s runtime. I know all of that. But Sukumar Sir, the director, told me I deserved a lead role, which was a huge compliment.
Transitioning from a child actor to a female protagonist in Bollywood is another challenge. Despite my previous work with banners like Dharma Productions, I approach auditions with a fresh mindset. In the South, I’ve been fortunate to find roles that suit me, but I still strive for roles that truly showcase my talent.
Q: Many South Indian commercial films are male-dominated, like KGF, Kantara, Vikrant Rona, RRR or even Pushpa 2. Do you think female characters get less significance in such projects compared to Hindi films?
A: Some South films do prioritize male characters, and what you are saying is true in some cases but the space is evolving. For example, Nayanthara’s upcoming film Rakkayie positions her as the lead. She is looking no less than an action hero in that first look of the film, at the same time she is holding a feisty female energy in her portrayal. There’s a cultural difference in how female representation is perceived, but both Hindi and South industries are making strides.
Q: Do you think that OTT platforms help in improving the representation for women?
A: Absolutely! OTT platforms have created space for nuanced female characters. However, I’ve noticed an overemphasis on bold content, nudity which sometimes crosses boundaries. I’ve declined roles because they didn’t align with my values. In the past it has happened when I was a bit apprehensive about how aesthetically an intimate scene will be shot and since I wasn’t sure, I declined that opportunity. I hope we see more progressive, clean, and inspiring content on these platforms. I am all for clean content!
Q: Lastly, your thoughts on the recent Sandhya theatre stampede incident?
A: It was a heartbreaking incident, and blaming Allu Arjun was entirely unfair. He’s a wonderful human being and wouldn’t wish for anything like that to happen. The negativity surrounding it was disheartening, but I hope such incidents lead to better safety measures in the future.
