In an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol.com, National Award-winning actor Manasi Parekh reflects on her evolution through television, her Bollywood experience, the growing wave of Gujarati cinema, and her dream roles. As the release of her much-anticipated film Maharani, co-starring Shraddha Dangar and directed by Viral Shah, draws closer, Manasi Parekh opens up about the rigorous training ground of television, the warmth she found in Bollywood, and why regional cinema is on the rise.
How TV Prepared Her for Everything
Looking back at her journey, Manasi credits television as her ultimate training ground.
“TV trains you 20 hours a day 30 days a month 364 days a year so TV trains you that in any condition you are coming to work and you are learning your lines so if you are passing TV exam then you can do anything in life.”
Working in Hindi Cinema and What Sets Viral Shah Apart
Having worked with celebrated names in the Hindi film industry, Manasi recalls being welcomed with open arms.
“So I worked with the same Aditya Dhar the director of Uri and I worked with Saurabh Shukla also and all of them said come you are very good. They would say you are a Gujarati actor. All of them welcomed me with open arms so working patterns are also different. When you do TV you have to go to telecast daily and in Bollywood there is a relaxed atmosphere and there are big actors but everyone is equal.”
Speaking about Maharani director Viral Shah, she had only praise:
“Viral is absolutely chilled he knows what he wants but he doesn't show that I will show I am a director he will come and give you coffee he will fill the chair for you he is very chilled.”
Life After Winning a National Award
Winning the National Award marked a turning point in Manasi's career.
“Of course it's been a 360 degree change so many opportunities have increased. People are noticing me. Its like a ISI mark national award. Its like a Thappa and a stamp. So many opportunities have increased. Nithya Menon also called me and said I get tired of seeing your Instagram you are doing so much how can you do like this so many opportunities are opening I want to grab everything.”
In fact, she’s already thinking of new collaborations.
“we both should do a film together I talked to Viral also Viral make a story cast me and Nitya.”
Maharani, starring Manasi Parekh and Shraddha Dangar and directed by Viral Shah, releases in theatres on August 1, 2025.
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