Beyond the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, actor Mrunal Thakur is someone who has always found solace and inspiration in exploring diverse landscapes, and cultures and meeting people through travelling. Her wanderlust is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life, an integral part of her identity that has shaped her into the person she is today. With a bright movie career, she is even a passionate globetrotter with an insatiable love for travelling.
Equation With Globe Trotting
View this post on Instagram
“One of the best things about travelling is I love making friends. I have made so many friends from different age groups on flights during my travel, during my stay and it’s the best aspect of travelling,” says Mrunal. Her journey as a traveller began long before she stepped into the world of showbiz. Her parents instilled in her a curiosity about the world beyond her immediate surroundings. “It’s so lovely to just discover people and their take on life because sometimes you learn from others’ experiences so much.”
“I think the most memorable was when my father was posted in Alapura, which is in Alleppey, Kerala. We travelled through all the mediums to reach the destination–flight, train and bus. And it was so beautiful. I realised that more than reaching the destination and exploring, the most important thing is how you reach it and sometimes, the mode of travel,” she reminisces.
View this post on Instagram
Her early travels introduced her to different cultures, languages, and people, broadening her horizons and enriching her understanding of the world. “I think my travel has allowed me to experience these beautiful bonds between humans. This, in turn, also allows me to reflect on it through my work and allows me to perform better, especially when it comes to human drama and all.”
Her love for travelling has catapulted her for an upcoming festive campaign with Kayak, the world’s leading travel search engine. Of course, the actor has a unique way of celebrating festivals that sets her apart. Rather than sticking to traditional hometown festivities, she combines her love for travel with the joy of celebrating various festivals. “I think festivals are the best because you get to do everything. You get to eat the best food, you get to dress well. One thing that you can add more here, is travel because this is the time when you get great deals. I think travel just completes the festive season for you.”
Path To Self-Discovery While Travelling
View this post on Instagram
Mrunal Thakur’s career has been a whirlwind of film shoots, each one offering her a unique opportunity to travel, explore, and grow. A career that started with television, she quickly made her mark in the movie industry. From entering the film industry with Love Sonia and went on to do movies like Super 30, Jersey, and her latest hit, Sita Ramam. However, for the versatile Mrunal, film shoots are not just about work; they are also a passport to explore the world.
“My job allows me to travel so much and explore locations which are not even accessible to normal people. I remember shooting in Sonmarg for Sita Ramam. And I don’t know how our director discovered that location. Nobody has ever been there. And now people go there because they’re like, ‘Oh Sitaram was shot here’. And it feels so nice!” she shares.
Her role in the film “Love Sonia” led her to Mumbai’s sister city, Los Angeles, where she had the opportunity to dive headfirst into the glitzy world of Hollywood. The juxtaposition of her traditional Indian upbringing with the fast-paced lifestyle of LA was a fascinating experience for Mrunal, and she made the most of her time by exploring the city’s iconic landmarks and cultural hotspots.
View this post on Instagram
As her career in acting started to take off, Mrunal seized every opportunity to satisfy her wanderlust. Whether it was shooting on location for a film, attending international film festivals, or taking short breaks between projects, she made it a point to explore the beauty of the world.
“During my travels, the amount of people I have met, the amount of knowledge that I have gained and the memories I’ve made with my family and friends–it is not measurable. You can never measure that,” she assures.
So, How Does Mrunal Love Travelling?
View this post on Instagram
For Mrunal, nature is an adventure waiting to happen. Her vacations aren’t merely about lounging inside hotel rooms; they are about pristine beaches or admiring scenic landscapes. “I feel like whenever I travel, I don’t like spending time in the hotel room sleeping. I feel like this time is not going to come back, so I want to make the most of it. Sometimes I do feel guilty for resting and I’ll make sure that I always make the most out of it. Because I have the belief that this time isn’t going to come again. So, you want to make sure that you explore the city and try different things out,” says an enthusiastic Mrunal.
She firmly believes that one of the best ways to understand a culture is to immerse oneself in its activities and traditions. She enjoys gaining a deeper understanding of the people and also, forging lasting connections that transcend language barriers.
Also Read: Mrunal Thakur’s Dabba Is Full Of Maharashtrian Goodies
“I just feel like this concept of joint family is so beautiful. This was in Jakarta in 2017. And I was really mesmerised by that entire beautiful journey, the entire act of having food together. And you won’t believe the moment I came back, I called all my cousins, friends, families. Because most of us always get so busy in our lives and live in different parts of the city. So when I came back, we just hosted a family get-together getaway and it was so beautiful to just reconnect with everyone, learn from their experiences and visit the childhood memories. I think that thing really stayed with me, the whole of Jakarta incident,” she fondly reminisces.
View this post on Instagram
Speaking to her, Mrunal’s love for travelling is infectious. She makes sure to inspire to seek adventure, embrace diversity, and find their own path to self-discovery in this vast and beautiful world.
So, which place are you heading to discover yourself like Mrunal Thakur?
Cover image credits: Instagram/Mrunal Thakur