February hasn’t even ended yet and Mona Singh has already had an eventful and versatile year so far. She played the vicious Goan lady in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. She was also seen as a grieving army wife in Border 2. And more recently, she is earning accolades for her portrayal of an intense cop in Kohrra Season 2. Mona got talking about her current phase in an interview with us.
Versatility has become your middle name after playing the feisty Goan Mama in Happy Patel, to a Sikh mourning Mata ji in Border 2 and now the gritty cop in Kohrra 2. How do you do it?
I think I’ve always believed that if a character scares me a little, I should probably say yes to it. I don’t approach roles thinking of versatility as a goal; it’s more about truth. A Goan Mama, a grieving Sikh mother, or a gritty cop may look very different on paper, but emotionally they all come from very human places. I try to peel away the “type” and focus on the woman underneath; her silences, her strength, her contradictions. If I’m honest about that, the rest somehow falls into place.
How emotionally drained were you after playing the army wife mother in Border 2? Did you enjoy being Sunny Deol's wife?
Border 2 was very, very personal for me. It wasn’t just another film; it was an ode to my father. He fought the 1971 war when he was in his early twenties and stepped on a mine, exactly like what’s shown in the film. He lost his foot. So, I’ve grown up seeing, first-hand, what it means for families when a soldier goes to war; the quiet fear, the waiting, the resilience that’s never spoken about. Because of that, understanding my character came very instinctively to me. I didn’t have to imagine what she was feeling; I’ve lived around that reality. Yes, it was emotionally draining, but it was also deeply cathartic. It felt like I was paying tribute, not just to my father, but to so many families who serve silently alongside their soldiers.
What was it like working with Sunny Deol?
Working with Sunny paaji was an absolute dream. I’ve been an ardent fan since forever. He has this incredible presence, but off camera, he’s warm, generous, and deeply respectful as a co-actor. Sharing the screen with him in a story like Border 2 made the experience even more special for me.
How do you find such meaty roles when many actresses complain about the lack of them?
I genuinely believe good writing finds you when you’re patient and when you’re honest about the kind of work you want to do. I’ve reached a stage where I’m not chasing quantity; I’m chasing characters that stay with me after the shoot is over. I also think it’s about saying no. Every now and then creates space for something better. I love my characters in Happy Patel, Border 2 and Kohraa 2…. Each of these women has stayed with me for different reasons.
Does so much workload impact your home life?
I won’t lie—it is a lot. Time becomes your biggest luxury. But I’ve learned to be very present wherever I am. When I’m working, I give it everything I have. When I’m home, I try to disconnect and just be myself. Balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about being honest with yourself and the people you love. Some days you get it right, some days you don’t, and that’s okay.
Right now you are being feted for your gritty stoic cop’s role in Kohraa 2
I’m really excited about Kohraa 2. The first season connected so deeply with audiences, and coming to that world, especially as a cop who is layered, flawed, and emotionally complex, has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s gritty, it’s intense, and it doesn’t offer easy answers, which is what drew me to it in the first place. Beyond that, I’m just grateful that I’m getting to play women who are written with depth and agency, across formats and genres. As long as the stories keep challenging me and making me uncomfortable in the right way, I’m happy to keep saying yes.
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