Actress-singer and producer Mansi Parekh, who won the National Film Award for Best Actress in 2024 for her role of Monghi in the film Kutch Express, has some interesting projects coming up. After working in Hindi and Gujarati cinema, the actress started her career in 2004 with Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi. He tells Zee News Digital about the horror comedy Jhamkudi and how Gujarati cinema has evolved over the years:
Q. How do you feel after winning the National Award for your acting in ‘Kutch Express’?
One. Winning the National Award has been an incredible experience, and it really feels like a new chapter for me as an artiste. This honor brings both a great sense of responsibility and a new enthusiasm for what I can achieve and contribute to cinema. To be acknowledged at such an important level is extremely rewarding and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. My husband, who produced this film, is also thrilled, which makes this Best Actress award even more meaningful for both of us.
Q. Tell us about your role in Jhamkudi
One. Jhamkudi is a horror-comedy film based on a village in Gujarat. I play a girl who returns to her native village in Gujarat from London, but finds that her life takes an unexpected turn as she discovers that the family house is haunted. The village girls are mysteriously abducted by a spirit known as Jhamkudi. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out on a mission to find out who – or what – is behind these kidnappings.
Q. How has Gujarati cinema evolved over the years?
One. Gujarati cinema is growing rapidly, the increasing number of audiences eager to watch Gujarati films is an encouraging sign for the industry. Talents like Pratik Gandhi, Abhishek Jain, Hellaro team and many other actors and actresses have contributed significantly to the development of Gujarati cinema. Now, with the National Award, I hope to get wider national recognition.
Q. What are your future projects?
One. I have about three Gujarati films, as well as a Hindi web series called Blind. Apart from this, my Hindi film Jab Khuli Kitab is going to premiere in Goa later this month. So, I definitely have a full plate right now.
