Speculation surrounding actress Mrunal Thakur’s involvement in the highly anticipated Allu Arjun and Atlee-directed film, ‘Raaka,’ has been rife for nearly two years. As the grand-scale sci-fi project moves further into production, Thakur has finally addressed the buzz, maintaining a non-committal stance while emphasising her current career focus on quality over quantity.
Mrunal Thakur in ‘Raaka’?
Raaka, which was officially titled in April 2026 after previously being known as AA22xA6, is envisioned as a massive sci-fi/supernatural action spectacle. It is set to star Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, reportedly in multiple avatars, and features Deepika Padukone in a major role. Other prominent actresses like Janhvi Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna have also been linked to the project, directed by the blockbuster filmmaker Atlee and produced by Sun Pictures.
With a colossal budget estimated to be over INR 800 crores and a tentative theatrical release target of December 2027, Raaka remains one of the most anticipated Indian films. The ongoing whispers have consistently placed Mrunal Thakur among its star-studded potential cast.
In a recent interview, conducted on today’s date, October 13, 2026, Mrunal Thakur was directly questioned about her participation in Raaka. The Sita Ramam actress neither confirmed nor denied the reports. She candidly revealed, “I haven’t signed any film in almost nine months. I’m waiting for a meaningful role to come [my way]. Now, whatever announcement has to happen, it will happen on my social media handle and then I’d love to talk about it.”
Mrunal Thakur in Prioritising Meaningful Roles
Thakur’s statement highlights her current strategy of being highly selective with her projects. She explained that while she has been inundated with offers, many of the narratives presented to her have not resonated creatively. “I am at the top of offers. But I don’t resonate with the stories that are being made. So, I have chosen to take some time off because I don’t want to question why I’m on set every day,” she elaborated.
Her decision to pause new signings comes after a busy 2026, which saw her featuring in several releases across different languages:
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- Do Deewane Seher Mein: Released February 20, 2026
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- Dacoit: Released April 10, 2026
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- Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai: Released June 5, 2026
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- Pooja Meri Jaan: Released October 2, 2026 (streaming on ZEE5)
Despite the recent releases, Thakur remains committed to pursuing roles that offer creative satisfaction and leave a lasting impact, stating she wants to do work that she can feel proud of and that audiences will remember for decades.
As Raaka continues its ambitious production schedule, with shooting expected to conclude for its first part by the end of 2026, the official confirmation regarding its full cast, including Mrunal Thakur’s potential involvement, remains eagerly awaited by fans and industry insiders alike.