My career is finally looking the way it was supposed to: Amruta

Actor Amruta Khanvilkar is happy the way 2018 is shaping up for her. The Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) actor will be next seen in Alia Bhatt-starrer Raazi and Milap Zaveri’s directorial next starring John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee. “My career is finally starting to look the way it was supposed to. Milap’s film was a big surprise and so was the movie by Meghna (Gulzar) ma’am. I met Meghna ma’am a day after the audition and she told me what she liked about me. She then asked me to meet the production house and finalise the rest. It was so quick and surprising. Similarly Milap’s film too fell in place and I was totally surprised,” says Amruta.

The actor is also looking forward to her web series, which is all set to release in a few months. “I play a Christian girl. It’s a totally different character from those I have played so far. The series is a psychological thriller, I shot for it a year ago and I am looking forward to it.”

Amruta adds that she is grateful that God has been kind to her. And that it is the prayers of her mother (Gauri Khanvilkar, who also doubles up as Amruta’s manager) and herself that have been answered. “I have been working hard and praying to God for things to work out. My mother has been there right from when I started my career. She has been my driving force. She advised me to wait and not take up things just for the sake of it. She has helped me be patient during the most difficult phase. I was very desperate when no work was coming and that’s when she said, ‘Work towards a goal, set things right, don’t rush into anything’. This holding back helped me shape my path and I am glad I waited,” says Amruta.

Actor Amruta Khanvilkar with mom Gauri

She adds that her mum helped create a path and now she is happily following it. “So, it’s not like she had hand held me or spoon-fed me. However, having her guide me has been helpful and useful. For example, she suggested I should work on my PR, fitness and fashion. So, I went ahead and got people to help me with this. It took a while but it has added tremendously to my profile as an actor and also as an individual.”

Amruta shares that finally her patience has paid off. She is glad that she has anchors such as her mum and husband Himanshoo Malhotra in her life. Another thing that is gaining popularity is her Instagram posts with her mum. “So, I randomly put up everyday things that I do with her. Right from her yelling at me for using the phone in the morning to accompanying me to shoots. This fun banter has caught on with my fans and every one loves her too now.”

Amruta and Vicky Kaushal’s dance connection

Vicky Kaushal and Amruta Khanvilkar on the sets of Raazi

I met Vicky during the reading sessions for Raazi. During our schedule in Patiala (Punjab), Vicky was listening to my Marathi foot-tapping number ‘Wajle ki bara’ (Natarang; 2010). Though he knew the song, he was not aware that it has been pictured on me. When one of our crew members told him about it, he came running to me and said, ‘I am your fan,’ in front of everyone. It was so overwhelming. That night after pack-up, he made me dance on ‘Wajle ki bara’ and also asked me to teach him a few signature steps.