Pranutan Bahl had a memorable debut in the much-loved Notebook (2019), produced by Salman Khan. She was then seen in Helmet (2021) and Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani (2024), both of which were released online. She had confirmed that she had bagged an international film, Coco & Nut. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Pranutan spoke about this upcoming project and more.
Talking about Coco & Nut, Pranutan Bahl said, “We plan to begin principal photography early 2026. However, I have completed two movies this year and I am very excited about them. One is a cop drama and the other is along the lines of a folk thriller. Both have a fantastic star cast. It’s so amazing to work with people who are more experienced than you because you learn so much from them.”
Pranutan has always got a good response for her act in all her films. Hence, many feel that she should be seen more and should get more offers. The actress smiled and replied, “I agree! I wish but what can you do other than the fact that you just look for work? It’s tough getting work, especially after Covid, for the industry as a whole. I would love to work; I am extremely ambitious. Unfortunately, the opportunities are very far and few between. Even I find it weird sometimes because I see love and appreciation for my work. I guess that’s how our business is.”
She added, “Nevertheless, I am extremely grateful so far for all my roles to date; they have been meaty and acting-oriented. Helmet was a 180-degree transformation compared to Notebook as a character. In Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani, my character had a hint of negative shades. My next two films are also different from what I have done before. Moreover, I am very clear that I don’t want to be reduced just as the love interest of a hero.”
Does the latter come inspired by the filmography of her late grandmother, Nutan? Pranutan Bahl answered, “I don’t know if it’s because of her, but I think I value myself. Like, I don’t want to be there just because the girl is required to romance a hero. You need to be an integral part of the story. You don’t want to be cast because you’re a girl and you look nice. I don’t judge anyone who does that. But somewhere, this requirement streamlines you further, as I am not keen to do those kinds of roles.”
Meanwhile, the nepotism debate continues. Many, especially those not connected to the industry, have the impression that star kids have it easy. Pranutan disagrees, “That’s not true at all. I feel weird that I am also put in this bracket of nepotism just because I come from a legacy family. Nobody knows this but Salman Khan sir didn’t even know that I was auditioning for Notebook. The producer saw my picture and he went to the director, Mr Nitin Kakkar, and said that I’ll suit the part. They had already auditioned 80 or 100 girls. Nitin sir was not getting anybody to match what he had in mind for the character. Hence, he agreed to audition me. This is how I was called. I was already in the audition circles by then. It was 2 ½ years after I started doing auditions that I got a call for Notebook. I started auditioning in 2016 and I was called by Nitin sir in 2018. It was a five-hour audition. He asked me to do 3 scenes. The experience was tough. He was not easy on me and was extremely particular about what he wanted.”
Pranutan continued, “Even for Helmet, I auditioned through the casting route. This is the journey a lot of I have had and unfortunately, its washed away by random articles. Everybody from legacy families doesn’t have the advantage of nepotism. We are not given things on a platter.”
She also revealed, “I got Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani after Helmet. We did a reading and only then, I bagged the part. None of my films were funded by my friends or family members, not even from the back end. Let’s be that clear (laughs). So, it’s very sad that we are all painted with the same brush. I do not have the opportunities because I come from Nutan ji’s family, or due to my father (Mohnish Bahl). I am sure that I get a lot of goodwill and I am grateful for it. But I don’t think an opportunity has to come to me because of that.”
She signed off by saying, “I am still auditioning. In fact, I auditioned just three days back.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Pranutan Bahl opens up on Filmfare honouring Nutan and hails her choice of films and STARDOM: “She was shooting for Bandini when she was pregnant with my father…filmmakers saw that she could carry films on her shoulders”
from Featured Movie News | Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama
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