Amruta Khanvilkar on facing stereotypes: ‘Being a Marathi actor comes with labels’ |
Amruta Khanvilkar is currently enjoying a strong phase in her career. The actor recently earned praise for her performance in Neeraj Pandey’s directorial ‘Taskaree’ and also appeared in ‘Space Gen Chandrayaan’. With over a decade of consistent work across films, television, and OTT, Amruta has built a diverse body of work. Yet, despite her experience and success, she says stereotyping continues to follow her — especially because of her identity as a Marathi actor.
Facing stereotypes despite years of work
In an interview with Screen, Amruta shared that labels still surface in professional conversations. She revealed that people often point out her regional background as if it limits her opportunities. Speaking to Screen, she said, “I still face some stigma. I often get to hear that you are a Marathi actor. So what? I will work somewhere, right? I just ignore it now.” She explained how actors are also judged for being overexposed or coming with so-called baggage, especially if they have worked extensively in television.
Choosing silence over confrontation
The actress acknowledged that these remarks can be exhausting. Still, she has chosen her own way of dealing with them. She added, “You will be told that you are overexposed or that you come with baggage because you are a star on TV.” Amruta believes these comments never really stop. Instead of constantly addressing them, she prefers to focus on her craft. “These things get said; it’s like the remark about being from the Marathi industry — there is no end to this. Some actors choose to speak about it; I choose to ignore it,” she said, making her stance clear.
How the industry mindset is changing
Despite the challenges, Amruta feels the industry has evolved. She pointed out how old myths are slowly breaking. “Earlier, there were so many norms and restrictions — like a female artiste’s career ending once she gets married. It was also believed that if you played a secondary character, you would never get a main lead role. But that’s never the case,” she said.She also mentioned the outdated idea that television actors could not transition into films. According to her, time has changed these rigid rules, and the industry today is far more accepting — especially for women and artists who do not fit traditional moulds.
Theatre commitments ahead
Beyond screen work, Amruta is now preparing for her Marathi play Lagna Panchami. The play premieres on January 9 and will run until January 25 across Mumbai, Pune, and Satara. It is directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari and backed by stars Swwapnil Joshi and Madhugandha Kulkarni.
