Parul Gulati opens up on feeling underutilised, career setbacks, optimism, and entrepreneurship. She will next be seen in ‘Tu Yaa Main’.
In an industry where success is often measured in box-office numbers and viral moments, actor-entrepreneur Parul Gulati chooses a quieter, steadier route, one rooted in resilience, hope and constant self-belief. In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost’s Zinia Bandyopadhyay, Gulati opens up about feeling underutilised a long time back in her career, navigating professional setbacks, balancing business with acting, and the emotional journey of her first theatrical release, Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2, which was pulled from its scheduled re-release at the last minute. The actor is all set to be seen in the upcoming film, ‘Tu Yaa Main’.
Reflecting on her career trajectory, Gulati admits that the feeling of being underutilised once weighed heavily on her. “I probably felt that five years ago. In 2020, I had five web releases, none of them became big hits. That shook my confidence. After that, I focused on my business and told myself: whatever work I get, I’ll give it my best,” she says.
The phase forced her to reassess expectations and confront self-doubt. “Bitterness and unrealistic expectations only harm you. I still dream of becoming a timeless actress, someone people remember even after I’m gone. But I don’t put pressure on timelines. Right now, I’m just grateful to be working,” she adds, underlining a mindset shaped by patience rather than urgency.
That perspective became especially relevant with
_Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2_, her first big-screen film. The comedy sequel, which stars Kapil Sharma, was
slated for a theatrical re-release after its initial run failed to get adequate screen space, but the plan was scrapped just a day before release.
The situation unfolded against the backdrop of Dhurandhar turning into an unexpected box-office juggernaut. “Dhurandhar became this giant, and nobody had expected it to blow up the way it did. We barely had screenings initially, even till Monday, our shows were limited,” Gulati explains.
Asked whether the limited theatrical run had left her disappointed, she says her emotions were far simpler. “Honestly, I wasn’t thinking like that. My film had released and that itself was a big deal for me. I took my friends to Chandigarh, Dubai, Mumbai. I did everything in my capacity – social media, screenings, word-of-mouth. Everyone in the cast and crew gave it their all.”
Beyond acting, Gulati has carved out a strong identity as an entrepreneur, a dual career path that she says came from instinct rather than strategy. “I don’t know how I did it, I just knew I wanted to. People said you can’t do two things. I said, ‘I will.’ And I’m glad I got the chance to prove it. I love working- whether it’s acting, business or even this interview. Whatever excites me that day, that’s my focus.”
At a time when action-heavy, hyper-masculine cinema dominates the box office, Gulati believes that light-hearted comedies still hold a vital space. “I think it’s all about the right film at the right time. People also carry a lot of angst and want an escape from daily life. Our film gives that- pure entertainment. You go in, laugh, come out happy, without overthinking. Sometimes, that’s exactly what audiences need.”
Parul plays a pivotal role in
Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor-starrer _Tu Yaa Main_. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the film will hit theatres on February 13.
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