Mrinal wants to be like Smita

Actress turned director Mrinal Kulkarni revealed that late actress-director-producer Smita Talwalkar was her mentor and she hopes to become like her one day.
Like many others, Smita, who breathed her last on Wednesday, was instrumental in shaping Mrinal���s career too. Mrinal said, ���She gave me a popular serial like ���Avantika��� which made me a household name.This show also gave me scope to showcase my acting skills. I had actually refused the serial but she convinced me to do it and that paid off.��� Mrinal looked up to Smita in many ways. She said, ���I always looked up to her. She was an epitome of strength. She successfully explored avenues that not many women did; she was a producer as well as a director. All I can say is that I want to be like her in many ways.���
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Mrinal and Smita���s association was not merely professional. The actresses shared a strong personal equation too. Mrinal said, ���I have worked with Smita tai as a producer, director as well as a co-artiste. Also, she acted in my directorial debut ���Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta���. When I decided to turn director she encouraged me a lot. Recently when we met, she appreciated me for ���Rama Madhav���. Her last words to me were ��� ���I am proud of you. The industry needs another Smita Talwalkar.��� Those words will stay with me forever.���
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