In the vibrant world of Indian entertainment, few names resonate as strongly as Sandhya Mridul’s. With an illustrious career that spans television, Bollywood, theatre, and web series, Mridul has cemented her place in the hearts of audiences. Her journey began in the nineties with popular TV soaps such as “Banegi Apni Baat,” “Swabhimaan,” and “Koshish – Ek Aashaa,” which made her a household name. It wasn’t long before she transitioned to Bollywood, debuting with “Saathiya” in 2002, and going on to deliver memorable performances in films like “Page 3” and “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.”
Even though she has made significant strides in the realm of web series, Mridul finds her true passion in theatre. Currently, she is touring with her latest creation, “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,” a unique blend of storytelling and stand-up comedy. Produced by Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd., the 45-minute show is a deep dive into Mridul’s nuanced understanding of modern relationships. After debuting at the Spoken Fest in Mumbai, the show is set to captivate audiences in Delhi this weekend, with upcoming performances slated for cities like Dehradun, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
In a recent phone interview, Sandhya Mridul opened up about the inspiration behind “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,” her experience in theatre, and her plans for the future.
“What is the inspiration behind Ridiculous Ms. Mridul?” we asked.
“Ridiculous Ms. Mridul is a slice-of-life kind narration of fictional and real experiences of women,” Mridul explained. “It’s a fun, easy, and light take on relationships, men, and even sex. It pokes fun at the things we do unconsciously as single and married women.”
The show delves into the societal judgments faced by single women, the assumptions made about their choices and attractiveness, and the myriad misconceptions that surround them. Through a humorous lens, it explores the often invisible battle between the so-called blissfully single and the unhappily married women.
“I’m nervous as hell since it’s my first solo gig!” Mridul admits candidly. “But at the end of the day, I’m having fun with this show – it’s something we all need in these dark times. Even if I can make just ten people laugh, I’m happy. Dark humour, for me, is the best way to make fun of ourselves. In ‘Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,’ I focus on the journey of a single woman, often judged, lonely, and misunderstood.”
When asked about her experience in theatre, Mridul’s enthusiasm was palpable. “I love the stage, and I have always wanted to spend more time doing theatre. Unfortunately, I’ve done very little of it.
. My last play was ‘August: Osage County’ in 2013 with Lillete Dubey. We got the India rights for it from the original Hollywood film. I played Julia Roberts’ part, and we travelled across the country and internationally with the play. It was a fantastic, multi-actor production.”
“Zen Katha: The Story of Bodhidharma,” which was written by Partap Sharma and also featured Lillete Dubey, is another memorable theatre venture for Mridul. For her role, she even learned karate from Sensei Pervez Mistry. Another project, “Double Deal,” directed by Mahesh Dattani and starring Mahesh Manjrekar, was a gripping two-actor play based on the thriller novel “Killing Time” by Richard Stockwell.
Reflecting on her journey across cinema, TV, theatre, and OTT platforms, Mridul remarked, “I’ve always believed in doing work that excites me. I don’t just take on roles for the sake of staying busy or financial gain. I look for roles that are different from what I’ve done before. Even on television, I experimented with my roles. I played a popular ‘bahu’ but never repeated that kind of role. I then took on a double role in ‘Hubahu’ with Rajat Kapoor.”
In Bollywood, she has fond memories of films like “Saathiya,” “Page 3,” and “Honeymoon Travels.” Nevertheless, she cites “Waisa Bhi Hota Hai” as her favourite. “Each role I choose has to be distinct from the last one, maybe niche in a way. Acting for me is not just a job – it’s a passion. I haven’t overexposed myself, so I’m still relevant and have options,” Mridul stated.
As for the future, Sandhya Mridul has several projects in the pipeline. “The next piece I’ve written touches upon a serious topic in a light-hearted way. I have an Applause show releasing soon and a new project starting in November. I enjoy taking frequent breaks to lead a happy, holistic life. Since COVID-19, I’ve become particular about spending time with myself, my family, and Nature. I’m not a planner by nature; I never knew I’d be an actor. I had a good corporate career and just walked away from it one fine day.”
Catch “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul” by Sandhya Mridul on August 24 at The Piano Man Jazz Club, Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar. Tickets are priced at ₹999 plus tax and are available on Piano Man and Paytm Insider.
Sandhya Mridul’s journey through the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to continually evolve and explore new facets of her craft makes her a beloved figure in Indian entertainment. Stay tuned for more laughter and thoughtful insights from this multifaceted artist.
