Long before 'Sita Ramam', Mrunal Thakur made waves in Indonesia with her television work.
Mrunal Thakur is riding high on her Bollywood success. But before Bollywood happened, she was a star on television. And no, I am not talking about just Hindi television, because, well, not many know that the actress was once part of an Indonesian TV serial. Yes, you heard that right. It was a surprising move, and one that showed her willingness to break boundaries and explore stories beyond language and geography. While the show aired in 2017, this unique chapter remains one of the most unexpected and fascinating parts of her journey.
Today, on the actress's 33rd birthday, let’s revisit 'Nadin', the show that not only showcased Mrunal’s versatility but also proved that her star power was never meant to be confined to one industry or country.
Aired in 2017 on Indonesia’s MNCTV, 'Nadin' was a fantasy drama series, typical of the sinetron genre - local soap operas that thrive on emotion, supernatural elements, and high drama. The show followed the life of a young woman named Nadin, whose journey was filled with mysticism, hidden truths, and romantic entanglements.
While comprehensive details on the plot remain limited outside Indonesia, the show leaned heavily into magical realism with its shape-shifting beings, curses, and otherworldly powers, all wrapped in a dramatic, romance-driven arc. 'Nadin' premiered on March 29, 2017, and was crafted for an audience already well-versed in high-voltage melodrama, much like Indian daily soaps. It may not have been a global phenomenon, but it did build a respectable local following.
Credit: _mrunal_universe
However, what set 'Nadin' apart was its cast, blending local Indonesian stars like Dewi Perssik and Ali Syakieb, and Indian actors such as Mrunal Thakur and Arjit Taneja. That casting choice was deliberate, tapping into the growing Indonesian love for Indian serials, many of which were dubbed and widely watched across the country. Mrunal, thanks to her previous role in 'Kumkum Bhagya', was already a familiar face to viewers there.
In 'Nadin', Mrunal played a supporting character named Tara. While not the show’s protagonist, Tara played a crucial part in the unfolding supernatural drama. Details about her character’s arc are hard to find (the show didn’t receive extensive coverage outside Indonesia), but fan forums and scattered documentation suggest that Tara was connected to the series’ mystical subplots.
Given that Mrunal’s dialogue was dubbed in Bahasa Indonesia (a common practice for non-native actors in sinetron), her performance had to shine through her expressions and body language. And by most fan accounts, it did. Dressed in colorful, stylized outfits fitting for the fantasy genre, she looked the part and brought emotional weight to her scenes.
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Fans on platforms like IMDb and Indonesian fan pages have occasionally pointed out how her presence added freshness to the cast. Many Indonesian viewers were already attuned to her from Indian shows that aired locally, making her inclusion in 'Nadin' feel both familiar and exciting.
Mrunal’s decision to act in 'Nadin' was, in hindsight, a bold career move. At that point, she was already a household name in India due to her role as Bulbul in 'Kumkum Bhagya' (2014–2016). That show had a cult following in Indonesia, thanks to dubbed broadcasts, and likely played a key role in her being cast in 'Nadin'.
Interestingly, before 'Nadin', she had already made a brief guest appearance in another Indonesian series, 'Tuyul & Mbak Yul Reborn', in 2016, which was a reboot of a classic Indonesian show. That appearance further boosted her visibility among Indonesian viewers and producers alike.
Whether she shot her scenes entirely in Indonesia remains uncertain. Some reports suggest that 'Nadin' was filmed primarily in Jakarta, and Indian actors like Mrunal and Arjit Taneja may have flown in for short stints. Cross-border collaborations like these weren’t common in Southeast Asian TV at the time, making 'Nadin' something of a novelty.
Credit: antv
While Mrunal hasn’t publicly spoken in detail about her experience on 'Nadin', her later interviews reveal a love for exploring new formats and cultures, a spirit clearly visible even in this early, unconventional role. Indian entertainment media barely mentioned the project, focusing more on her growing film career. But Indonesian fan communities have preserved snippets of that period with warm nostalgia.
From Jakarta Sets to Silver Screen Stardom
'Nadin' marked the last time Mrunal appeared in a television serial. The very next year, she made her big-screen debut in 'Love Sonia' (2018), a powerful film about human trafficking that announced her arrival as a serious actor. The performance earned critical acclaim and marked her transition from television to cinema.
From there, her journey has been upward. In 'Super 30' (2019), she played a steady, supportive counterpart to Hrithik Roshan’s lead. In 'Batla House' (2019), she held her own alongside John Abraham. But it was 'Sita Ramam' (2022), a Telugu romantic period drama, that transformed her into a pan-Indian star. That performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu and introduced her to a whole new audience.
Credit: Vyjayanthi Network
Her 2022 film 'Jersey’, opposite Shahid Kapoor, may not have lit up the box office, but her portrayal of a mother caught between love and practicality was lauded. In 2023’s 'Hi Nanna', she once again proved her range, and today, with big-budget projects on the way, she has become one of the most sought-after actresses in her generation.
Looking back, one could argue that 'Nadin' was an important exercise in adaptability. It demanded that she work outside her comfort zone, in a foreign language, a different cultural setting, and a distinct narrative style. That kind of challenge, early in her career, likely sharpened the instincts we now see on screen.
Happy Birthday, Mrunal!
