Sandhya Mridul has forged a remarkable career in the acting world, traversing various platforms with aplomb. Renowned for her roles in iconic TV soaps during the nineties, she first captured the hearts of Indian households with performances in shows like “Banegi Apni Baat,” “Swabhimaan,” and “Koshish – Ek Aashaa.” Her talents were not confined to the small screen, as she successfully transitioned into Bollywood with a debut in “Saathiya” (2002), followed by noteworthy films such as “Page 3” and “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.” More recently, the versatile actor has ventured into web series. Yet, through all these ventures, it is theatre that brings her the most joy.
Currently, Sandhya Mridul is captivating audiences with her latest stage show, “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,” a 45-minute performance that cleverly blends storytelling and stand-up comedy. Created and written by Mridul herself, the piece reflects her astute observations on modern relationships. This production, organized by Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd., debuted at the Spoken Fest in Mumbai and is now on a tour that includes stops in Delhi, Dehradun, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
In an exclusive phone interview, Mridul shared the inspiration behind her newest venture, her profound love for theatre, and her future aspirations.
“Ridiculous Ms. Mridul” draws inspiration from both fictional and real-life experiences of women, delivering a light-hearted yet incisive commentary on relationships, men, and sexuality. “It’s a fun, easy, light take on relationships, men, and sex. It pokes fun at the things we unknowingly do, whether single or married,” Mridul explains. The show not only highlights the societal judgments and misconceptions faced by single women but also delves into the often-imagined contest between content single women and unhappily married ones.
Despite her vast experience, Mridul admits to nerves. “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 particularly cherishes dark humor, which she believes is a powerful tool for self-reflection. “In everything I do, besides the humor, there is a point I make. In ‘Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,’ I focus on the journey of a single woman, and how often it becomes extremely judged, lonely, and misunderstood,” she stated.
Mridul has always had a profound connection with the stage. “I love the stage, and I have always wanted to spend more time doing theatre,” she shared. Her theatre journey, while remarkable, has been relatively sparse.
. Notably, she starred in “August: Osage County” in 2013, a production by Lillete Dubey which also had its roots in the acclaimed Hollywood film. In this play, she embodied the character portrayed by Julia Roberts. Another significant work was “Zen Katha: The Story of Bodhidharma,” also with Lillete, where Mridul learned karate from Sensei Pervez Mistry. Additionally, she performed in “Double Deal,” a two-actor play directed by Mahesh Dattani, based on Richard Stockwell’s thriller novel “Killing Time.”
“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,” Mridul elaborates on her professional philosophy. Her criteria for accepting roles are stringent, focusing on uniqueness and passion. “Even while on television, I experimented with the roles. For instance, I did ‘Koshish — Ek Aashaa,’ then I did a double role in ‘Hubahu’ with Rajat Kapoor.”
Her film journey has also been marked by eclectic choices. “While doing films, my favourite was ‘Waisa Bhi Hota Hai,’ as much as I enjoyed ‘Saathiya,’ ‘Page 3,’ and ‘Honeymoon Travels.’ Each role has to be different from the last one – maybe I niched myself out a lot,” she added. For Mridul, acting is an act of love, not just a job. “It’s good that people still find me fresh. That’s great because I haven’t overexposed myself. I’m still relevant, and have options.”
Looking ahead, Mridul’s upcoming projects continue to excite her. She revealed, “The next piece that 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.” She emphasized the importance of balance in her life, particularly valuing time spent with family, nature, and engaging in personal hobbies such as reading, writing, and traveling.
Sandhya Mridul’s journey from TV soaps to theatre reflects her innate versatility and dedication to the craft. Her latest show, “Ridiculous Ms. Mridul,” promises to be an insightful and entertaining exploration of modern relationships, highlighted by her distinctive humor and honest reflections.
“Ridiculous Ms. Mridul” by Sandhya Mridul is set to be performed on August 24, 5 pm at The Piano Man Jazz Club, Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar. Tickets are priced at ₹999 plus tax and available on Piano Man – bit.ly/3M21FnV / Paytm Insider – bit.ly/3YGUPtG.