Amruta Khanvilkar's Role Transformed After Action Audition
Amruta Khanvilkar's part in Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web grew much larger than planned. The actress started with a brief six-day role. An audition changed everything for the makers.
From Small Role to Significant Character
Khanvilkar plays Mitali, a fierce customs officer and single mother. She recalls the shift clearly. "I was initially signed on only for a six-day role," she says. "But Neeraj Pandey sir wanted to explore something more."
The team asked if she could handle action sequences. Khanvilkar responded confidently. She told them her training as a dancer made physicality natural. They auditioned her for an action scene. That test altered their perspective completely.
"The role became far more significant," she states. Her character gained substantial screen time and importance.
Working in a Strong Ensemble Cast
The series features an impressive ensemble. It includes actors like Emraan Hashmi, Sharad Kelkar, and Anuja Sathe. Khanvilkar finds balance comes naturally when characters are well-defined.
She explains Neeraj Pandey's approach. "In Taskaree, every character has a backstory, a personal journey and a professional purpose," she shares. "Neeraj sir's shows are designed that way."
According to her, no one feels ornamental in such projects. Each actor serves the story. The impact happens organically when everyone has a strong voice.
Navigating Different Industry Ecosystems
Amruta Khanvilkar is a leading actress in Marathi cinema. She also works actively in Hindi and OTT spaces. She recognizes these ecosystems function differently.
However, she does not view this shift as a compromise. Instead, she sees it as an expansion of creative possibilities. "I have been fortunate to work in both Marathi and Hindi industries," she says.
She observes blurring lines between regional and national cinema today. Actors now collaborate across languages, platforms, and cultures more freely.
Prioritizing Depth Over Scale
For Khanvilkar, the scale of a role never matters as much as its depth. "What matters to me is not the length of the role but the strength of the character," she emphasizes.
She wants to work with filmmakers who challenge her. She seeks opportunities to explore new emotional and physical spaces. The actress holds specific aspirations too.
"I do have aspirations, like working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali someday," she reveals. "Even if it were just a single, impactful scene, I would do it without hesitation."
That desire stems from her wish to grow as an artiste. She values meaningful roles over lengthy appearances.
