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I club nature and history on my birthdays: Mrinal Kulkarni
Mrinal Kulkarni recalls how her birthdays have always been about books, nature and history
Actor-director Mrinal Kulkarni, who celebrates her 46th birthday on June 21, will start the celebrations this year a day prior with a trek to an undisclosed location. On June 21, the Rama Madhav (2014) director will be inaugurating an art exhibition for artist Chintamani Hasabnis, who creates special type of art that enables the visually impaired to see.
Sharing her plans for her birthday, Mrinal says, “There are two important things in my genes — history and nature. So, in one way or the other, I incorporate these in my birthday celebrations. I will be going on pre-birthday trek to enjoy the nature. On my birthday I will be doing something that is extremely close to my heart. Chintamani’s work helps the visually impaired and I am happy I could help promote this cause and create awareness in some way.”
During her childhood, Mrinal shares that birthdays never meant cakes or parties for her. Yet, it was one of the most important days of her life. She adds, “I grew up in a house which was surrounded by literature. On my birthdays, my dad would take me to a book shop where I could pick whichever book I wanted. I clearly remember how excited I would be.”
Growing up, Mrinal took to trekking and it became a birthday ritual for the Ye Re Ye Re Paisa actor. “Everyday is a celebration. Ruchir (her husband), me and my son Virajas, celebrate each day, we don’t need a particular occasion. In fact, my son always jokes that he is the biggest gift I could ever have,” says Mrinal with a smile.
The actor has been working towards the cause of cancer awareness and hopes to do much more in the field. “I am associated with people who work towards cancer awareness. I will also be holding a cancer awareness camp on June 22,” she adds.
With each birthday, Mrinal wants to grow as a person, and better herself as a human being. She says, “I have seen this positive change in me over the years. One thing that I am going to miss terribly on my birthdays is wishing Reematai (actor Reema Lagoo, who was also born on June 21). We would always have a competition as to who would call whom first. She was a gem of a person and I miss her dearly.”
