Sandhya Mridul has navigated a dynamic and successful career in the entertainment industry, flourishing across various platforms and mediums. Renowned for her captivating roles in television soaps during the nineties, Mridul quickly became a beloved household name. She began her acting journey with prominent TV soaps such as Banegi Apni Baat, Swabhimaan, and Koshish – Ek Aashaa. Buzz around her talent increased as she transitioned seamlessly into Bollywood, making a notable debut in the romantic drama Saathiya (2002). Following her successful entrée, she enchanted audiences with her performances in films like Page 3 and Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. Mridul’s exploration of her craft also brought her to the burgeoning world of web series. Despite these varied experiences, she firmly asserts that it is theatre that truly keeps her joyful.
Currently, Mridul is captivating audiences yet again with her newest venture, Ridiculous Ms. Mridul. This 45-minute performance uniquely blends storytelling with stand-up comedy. Created and written by Mridul herself, the show offers a humorous and insightful look at modern relationships from the perspective of a single woman navigating societal judgments. Produced by Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd., the show debuted at the Spoken Fest in Mumbai and is set to enchant audiences in Delhi this weekend. It will also travel to a multitude of cities, including Dehradun, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
In a recent phone interview, Mridul shared candid insights into the inspiration behind Ridiculous Ms. Mridul, her theatre journey, and future aspirations.
“Ridiculous Ms. Mridul is a slice-of-life narration involving both fictional and real experiences of women,” Mridul explained. “It provides a fun, easy, and light take on relationships, men, and sex. It pokes fun at the things women do unconsciously, both as single and married individuals. Furthermore, it examines the societal perceptions of single women, especially in how they’re judged based on their appearance and other misconceptions. It also explores the imaginary battle between so-called blissfully single women and unhappily married women.”
Mridul confessed feeling extremely nervous about her first solo gig, stating, “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’s much needed in these dark times.
. Even if I can make ten people laugh, I’m happy. I also have a penchant for dark humor and believe it’s crucial to laugh at ourselves.”
Reflecting on her theatre experience, she emphasized her enduring love for the stage. “I have always wanted to spend more time doing theatre. I’ve done a few remarkable plays but, unfortunately, very little theatre overall. My last play was August: Osage County in 2013 with Lillete Dubey, where I played Julia Roberts’ part. We toured both nationally and internationally. It was an incredible experience. Theatre, for me, is an opportunity to learn new things, like when I did Zen Katha: The Story of Bodhidharma, where I learned karate specifically for the role.”
Expounding on her journey in the entertainment industry, which spans cinema, TV, theatre, and OTT platforms, Mridul highlighted her preference for versatility. “I’ve always believed in doing work that excites me. I don’t take on roles just for the sake of staying busy or for the paycheck. I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different roles, even during my TV days. For instance, I did a popular bahu role but then did varying characters right after. My favorite film role might be in Waisa Bhi Hota Hai, though I thoroughly enjoyed Saathiya, Page 3, and Honeymoon Travels.”
As for her plans for the future, Mridul 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 slated to begin in November. I like to take breaks to live a happy, holistic life. I read, write, travel, and spend time in the mountains. Post-COVID, I’ve also become more focused on spending quality time with myself, my family, and nature. Incidentally, I’m not much of a planner. Interestingly, I never envisioned becoming an actor; I left a promising corporate career one day and followed my passion.”
Catch Ridiculous Ms. Mridul by Sandhya Mridul on August 24, 5 PM at The Piano Man Jazz Club, Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar. Tickets are priced at ₹999 plus tax, available on Piano Man and Paytm Insider.
