‘I’m in love with Big B!-Mrinal

Mrinal Kulkarni was floored when Amitabh Bachchan complimented her

Mrinal Kulkarni seems to have become a favourite with filmmakers nowadays, what with Amol Palekar casting the beauty in his bilingual Quest and now Ram Gopal Varma casting her in a cameo with none other than the Big B in his Ramu Ke Sholay. Speaking about the experience of shooting with Amitabh Bachchan, the superexcited Mrinal says, "To say that it was a dream come true, would be clichd but I have no other words to describe it. Actually, Ramu had offered me the role a long time back but in the interim period I had to go abroad to shoot for my travel show for a Marathi channel. So, by the time I came back, I thought he must have already cast somebody else; but it was pleasantly surprising and even flattering that he had actually waited for me to come back and approached me again. Initially, I was unaware that the cameo was opposite Mr Bachchan; so imagine my happiness when I got to know of it!"
Although Mrinal cannot talk much about the role at this moment, all she is willing to disclose is that this character was not a part of the original film. But what Mrinal can and is more than willing to talk about, is her experience of interacting with Mr Bachchan. "Oh God, he's the stuff legends are made of. His aura is so magnetic, you can feel his presence from the moment he starts walking towards the sets. I know it sounds difficult to believe, but it's a fact! One can learn so much by observing his behaviour on the sets. He's not the kind to fritter away his energy by yakking away incessantly. He comes; exchanges pleasantries with all, right from the spot boys to his co-stars and then sits quietly in a corner till the shot is announced. He prefers to conserve and channelise his energies towards the shoot rather than waste it on worthless pursuits. And he is such a fantastic actor! A complete natural and a one-take artiste! It was a treat to work with him. And he's such a chivalrous person! I was floored when he said, 'Am I privileged to be working with this beautiful lady today?" Wow, I'm in love with Big B!"
Aren't we all, Mrinal?
Apart from doing films, Mrinal is busy with SaharaOne's Solhah Singar, a role that she's enjoying to the hilt. But, isn't it a tad too early for her to play mother? "Well, I don't have such apprehensions. As an actor, what excites me is the character; not her on-screen age and as it is, I play a young mother, quite close to my own age. So, it's not as if I have to slather on a whitener or something."