Sandhya Mridul has meticulously carved out a successful career across various platforms in the realm of acting. She became a household name during the nineties with her significant roles in popular TV soaps, thereby solidifying her status in the entertainment industry. She commenced her journey with TV soaps such as “Banegi Apni Baat,” “Swabhimaan,” and “Koshish – Ek Aashaa.” Later, she transitioned seamlessly into Bollywood, debuting in the well-received “Saathiya” back in 2002. This was followed by other notable films such as “Page 3” and “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.”
Her versatility extended to the burgeoning world of web series, but amidst this myriad of roles, it’s the theatre that truly keeps her soul ignited.
Mridul is currently engaging audiences with her latest endeavor, “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,” a unique 45-minute performance blending storytelling with elements of stand-up comedy. Crafted and written by Mridul herself, this show delves into her nuanced understanding of modern relationships. Presented by Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd., the show made its debut at the Spoken Fest in Mumbai and is set to tour across various cities including Delhi, Dehradun, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
In an exclusive phone interview, Mridul shared insights about the inspiration behind her latest show, her journey in theatre, and her future aspirations.
“Ridiculous Ms. Mridul” is an amusing yet contemplative portrayal of women’s real and fictional experiences. Mridul describes it as a “slice-of-life” narrative that humorously examines relationships, men, and sex. “It’s a fun, easy, light take on relationships, men, and sex. It makes fun of things we do that we don’t realize – both as single and married women,” she explained. It also scrutinizes societal dispositions towards single women, exploring the judgments cast upon them and the assumptions made if they are deemed attractive or otherwise, touching upon the myriad of misconceptions surrounding them.
Despite her wealth of experience, Mridul admits to initial nerves about her first solo gig but emphasizes the joy she derives from it. “I’m nervous as hell since it’s my first solo gig! But at the end of the day, I’m just having fun with this show – something that we need in these dark times.
. Even if I can make 10 people laugh, I’m happy,” she confessed. Her keen sense of dark humor allows her to make light of life’s adversities, and in everything she does, there’s always a poignant message woven into the humor. “In Ridiculous Ms. Mridul too, I am focusing on the journey of a single woman, and how often it becomes extremely judged, lonely, and misunderstood,” she said.
Delving into her love for theatre, Mridul expresses a profound passion for the stage. Although her opportunities in theatre have been limited, her past performances were significant. Her last play, “August: Osage County,” directed by Lillete Dubey, saw her portraying Julia Roberts’ character, and it received much acclaim, traveling across the country and even abroad. Another memorable theatre project was “Zen Katha: The Story of Bodhidharma,” also directed by Dubey and written by Partap Sharma, where she learned karate from Sensei Pervez Mistry for her role. Mridul also starred in the two-actor play “Double Deal,” directed by Mahesh Dattani, based on Richard Stockwell’s thriller novel “Killing Time.”
Her diverse journey in the entertainment industry has seen her traverse cinema, TV, theatre, and OTT platforms. Mridul emphasizes choosing projects that stimulate her creatively rather than seeking roles for mere financial benefit. “I’ve always believed in doing work that excites me. I don’t just do something for the sake of keeping busy or if someone is paying me well for it,” she stated. This principle guided her through varied roles from a popular TV “bahu” in “Koshish – Ek Aashaa” to a double role in “Hubahu” with Rajat Kapoor, and movies like the experimental “Waisa Bhi Hota Hai.”
Looking ahead, Mridul is gearing up with a piece she’s written that tackles serious topics in a light-hearted manner. She is also anticipating the release of her applause show and a new project beginning in November. Despite her demanding career, Mridul values the importance of breaks, which she utilizes to read, write, travel, and reconnect with nature and loved ones, especially post-COVID-19. Her future seems promising, not tied down to rigid plans but guided by her intrinsic passion and versatile talent.
For those eager to catch her live, “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul” will be showcased on August 24 at 5 pm at The Piano Man Jazz Club in Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar. Tickets are priced at ₹999 plus tax and available on Piano Man and Paytm Insider.
With a striking balance between her career and personal passions, Sandhya Mridul proves to be a resilient and ever-evolving figure in the entertainment sphere, etching her story through diversified roles and heartfelt performances.
