Mrunal Thakur says she asked for an audition to play Pooja in Pooja Meri Jaan

Mrunal Thakur went after the lead role in Pooja Meri Jaan herself. She approached the filmmakers and asked for an audition instead of waiting for an offer.

In an interview, the actress said her agent first told her about the project. The agent described it as the story of two women fighting a legal battle over the idea that a woman's refusal must be respected. She wanted to meet the makers at once and convince them she could play Pooja. The film's message about consent drew her in, and she believes the subject needs more attention.

Navjot Gulati directed the drama. It follows Pooja, who turns down a marriage proposal from her longtime friend Aniket. He dies by suicide and leaves a note blaming her, and she faces public accusations. Her lawyer friend Sana, played by Huma Qureshi, steps in to defend her. Vikram Singh Chauhan, Vijay Raaz and Sunita Rajwar complete the cast.

Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik produced the film under Maddock Films. It was shot in 2022 and reached viewers on ZEE5 only on October 2, 2026.

Thakur recalled a man in Delhi who thanked her after watching it. He told her he had once pushed a friend to keep chasing a woman who had refused him again and again, without seeing the pressure she was under.

The Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna star called Pooja an especially demanding part. She said the response has been encouraging and has brought her more acting opportunities.

She has still not signed a new film in nearly nine months, and she said offers are not the problem. The stories reaching her have not connected with her, and she would rather wait for a role she can be proud of than sign one just to stay busy. She will announce her next project herself, she added.