Mouni Roy opens up about being typecast; says 'When I did Kyunki, people said the girl next door can’t play a glam part'

From television’s favourite bahu to a Bollywood star, Mouni Roy has carved a space for herself in the entertainment industry through versatility. Beginning her career with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Mouni quickly became a household name. Over the years, she has been part of some of the biggest TV hits, including Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev where she played Sati, and the hugely popular Naagin franchise. Transitioning to films, she proved her talent with roles in Gold, Made in China, and even a big-budget spectacle like Brahmāstra. But her journey has been far from easy. In a recent interview with News18, the actress spoke about she has always been typecast in the industry.

Mouni admits she has been typecast from the very start. “I have been typecast since the beginning of my career. When I did Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, people said the girl next door can’t play a glam part. When I did a few reality shows, dance reality shows, they said I was too glamorous. When I did Sati, they said I was too Indian. When I did Naagin, it was ‘she can only do fantasy fiction or mythological shows.’ That’s something I’ve always dealt with, and it doesn’t really bother me. It doesn’t matter whether you call me glamorous, stylish, or anything else – like saying she’s good for a certain kind of role. When I did Brahmāstra or Bhootnii, they said she’s good for these… not larger-than-life, but more outlandish roles. She can play these parts well. As long as – whether it’s glam, outlandish, girl next door, or dancing – if you can see that I’m putting in my hard work and 100%, and it resonates with the audience – that’s my take away from it.”

This ability to embrace every label and still push her boundaries has kept Mouni’s career evolving. When asked what kind of roles she wants to explore next, she revealed, “I’m hungry – a greedy actor, in the right sense – because I want to be part of great scripts, good storytelling and work with different, like-minded people. I also want to take on roles I haven’t done before; that’s very important to me.”

Beyond acting, Mouni’s artistic side shines through in her dance performances and music videos, which have enjoyed wide popularity. With a filmography that spans across television, films, OTT, and music, she continues to reinvent herself – proving that no stereotype can limit true talent.