Actress Mirnalini Ravi, who will next be seen in the upcoming film Love Guru, gets candid with The Pioneer, sharing interesting insights about the character, her preps for the same, and more.
Subodhini Purohit
Mirnalini Ravi is a rising south actress known for her work in Tamil and Telugu cinema. With a background in engineering and a stint in IT sector, Mirnalini’s transition to acting was propelled by her viral TikTok and Dubsmash videos, marking her as a versatile talent in the industry. Making her debut with the acclaimed film Super Deluxe in 2019, she has since then garnered attention for her roles in movies like Gaddalakonda Ganesh, Enemy, and Cobra.
Now, the actress, who will next be seen alongside Vijay Anthony in Love Guru, delves into her character, as she shares, “In the movie, I portray the character of Leela, whose journey closely mirrors my own experiences. She embodies the struggles of today’s generation, facing opposition from her traditional-minded parents as she pursues her passion for acting. Despite their disapproval, Leela perseveres, working in the IT sector while tirelessly striving to establish herself in the film industry. Her story reflects the challenges of nepotism, as she navigates through small roles in Chennai and Hyderabad, determined to realise her dream. Each day, she wakes up with unwavering determination to break through barriers and make her mark as an actress.”
She further states that unlike conventional movie narratives, where the hero faces obstacles and the heroine provides support, her characeter takes centre stage, with the hero offering his support and love as she pursues her aspirations. Through Leela’s journey, she reveals, “The film sheds light on the resilience and strength of individuals pursuing their dreams against all odds. I had every reason to say yes to this script—it’s undoubtedly the finest piece of work I’ve encountered throughout my entire career.”
She reflects on the rigorous training required on to embody the character of Leela, detailing the challenges encountered in portraying her on-screen, “For a month, I underwent intense training under Kalyani Ma’am, focusing intensely on expressions and eye movements. This character demands subtlety; she speaks little, revealing her emotions through her silent anguish and weariness from constant rejection in the industry. Despite the pain, she harbours a glimmer of hope, persistently chasing her dreams. We honed the art of maintaining a blank face, ensuring that the agony resonated through my eyes. Throughout the movie, I portray a rigid, aloof, and occasionally abrasive demeanour, a challenge that required nuanced variations to prevent monotony while conveying her persistent frustration and bitterness.”
She further shares, “It’s crucial not to risk losing the audience’s interest while ensuring that my character remains relatable. Despite her struggles, she mustn’t disregard the support from her husband, Aravind or alienate viewers from empathising with her journey. Although the hero’s unwavering love poses a challenge, the aim is for viewers to feel a sense of sympathy and root for her, rather than resent her for her aloofness this was the challenging part of the role. So, to justify the character of Leela was a difficult task.”
In reflecting on her experience working with her co-stars, the actress expresses genuine joy, particularly highlighting Vijay Antony’s remarkable support and flexibility in allowing her to flourish on screen. She expresses, “Vijay Antony sir, in particular, was incredibly supportive and allowed me the space to shine in the movie. His willingness to take on the role of Aravind, which required him to display vulnerability and self-deprecation, was commendable, especially in a film centred around women’s issues and aspirations. His involvement as both actor and producer further exemplified his commitment to the project. Together, we formed a close-knit family on set, and everyone’s dedication to their roles made the experience truly unforgettable.”
On the working front, she has a web series titled Pre Love, which delves into the tumultuous journey of a teenage girl transitioning into her early twenties. With the entire series centred around her character, it’s an exhilarating yet intense role that she is very much thrilled to undertake. “We’ve already completed shooting for 20 days, with another 60 days ahead of us. Unlike Romeo, which explores old-school love in a refreshing manner, Pre Love tackles a hard-hitting and controversial subject, offering a completely new genre for audiences. Embracing such challenging roles has become a personal addiction for me; I’m drawn to characters where I can truly showcase my acting prowess and evoke a sense of pride. The love and respect garnered from portraying such roles hold a different significance, driving me to pursue projects that offer depth and substance over glamorous or peripheral roles. I’m not inclined towards being part of big-budget films where I play secondary characters; instead, I prioritise roles that allow me to make a meaningful impact and push the boundaries of my craft,” she signs off saying.
