Exclusive: Amruta Khanvilkar on Performing Action in Taskaree Female-Centric Movies and More
For Amruta Khanvilkar, 2026 has kicked off with a whirlwind of diverse roles. From a gritty, action-packed avatar in Neeraj Pandey’s Taskaree on Netflix to playing the emotional anchor of a scientist’s family in the upcoming Space Gen: Chandrayaan, she is currently navigating the most versatile phase of her career. In an exclusive chat with Filmfare, Amruta opens up about her accidental action role, her admiration for co-star Emraan Hashmi, and why she feels the industry has finally moved past regional labels.
“The Project Chose Me”
Amruta’s entry into the world of Taskaree wasn’t planned. Initially approached for a small six-day role, she found herself auditioning for a much larger character of Mitali Kamat. She says, “”I wanted to work with Neeraj sir, so I was okay with even six days of work. But they made me audition for action sequences and gave me a bigger role. I think this project chose me. I didn’t have any part to do in this apart from just being there and listening to my director.”
Known for her grace as a Kathak and Lavani dancer, the transition to a rough and tough character was a revelation. Amruta admits she loved being “one of the boys,” despite the physical toll. She shared, “I got injured, my hand was completely swollen, and it looked like a balloon! But we didn’t have the location for another day, so I had to put that hand in the boxing glove and finish the shoot within 15 minutes. If I didn’t have the injury, I wouldn’t have this story to tell.”
On Emraan Hashmi and Grounded Success
Sharing the screen with Emraan Hashmi in Taskaree was another highlight. Amruta describes him as a “deep and shant (calm)” person who remains completely unfazed by his stardom and success. She shares, “He is very unbothered with his success. It is amazing to see people who take success and failure with a pinch of salt. He has so many hit films and hit songs, yet he is just not bothered. He will come, do his work, and go. But the camaraderie between him, me, and Nandish was amazing.”
Working in Raazi and Alia Bhatt’s Brillance
As Amruta continues her work on different platforms, she often looks back at Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi as the project that changed her perspective on cinema. Working with Alia Bhatt remains a standout memory according to her. She says, “I think it was just career-changing for me. At that time, we were all just trying to do something amazing. I can vouch for Alia because, at that point, she chose a very different, non-glam subject. Our intention was to be honest, and that translated on screen.”
On Female-Led Cinema and Legends
While Raazi is often recognized as a turning point for female-centric films, Amruta believes women have been leading the way for decades. She explained, “People talk about female-oriented films now, but we’ve had Seeta Aur Geeta, Chaalbaaz, and Sadma. Actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil have already done their bit and raised the bar. I just think when a character is written fantastically and you give justice to it, that is what reaches the people.”
Breaking Regional Barriers
When asked if the “regional actor” tag still persists in 2026, Amruta is quick to dismiss it. She said, “People who cast me, be it Meghna Gulzar or Neeraj Pandey, don’t even have it in their minds that I am a Marathi actor. In Raazi, I played a Pakistani and in Malang, I played a Christian. Mitali Kamat is actually the first Marathi character I’ve done in Hindi! If the casting directors don’t care, I don’t know why others should.”
Working in Space Gen: Chandrayaan
In her upcoming series Space Gen: Chandrayaan, Amruta plays the wife of a scientist (played by Nakul Mehta), exploring the sacrifices made by families behind India’s space missions. She shared her experience saying, “We see things superficially, but the research showed me the immense pressure these scientists face. There’s a scene where the ISRO chief hugs the PM and seeing that dramatized was special. It takes pure love for the country to do what they do.”
The Producer’s Hat
Amruta has also donned the producer’s hat with the Marathi play Lagna Panchami, in which she is also acting alongside Swapnil Joshi. Speaking about the impact of plays, she shared, “Theatre is seeing such golden days. I decided to take the reins in my own hands, to produce and act. Doing a play is not gudde-gudiyon ka khel (child’s play), it demands a lot of commitment.”
As she looks forward to the rest of the year, Amruta’s goal remains simple: “I really hope that this work translates into more work, and people get to see me in different roles.”
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