Marathi actress Mrunmayee Deshpande, known for her diverse roles and artistic talents, has made an unexpected shift in her life by leaving behind the hustle of Mumbai for the serene hills of Mahabaleshwar.
Alongside her career in films, Mrunmayee has taken up farming, a decision that has surprised many of her fans.
Mrunmayee, while speaking to Lokmat Filmy, revealed her journey from being an actress to becoming a farmer. Mrunmayee’s decision to move to Mahabaleshwar was driven by her desire to live closer to nature.
She shared how she and her husband, Swapnil, had long planned to leave Mumbai. “We wanted to grow our own food and live in harmony with nature,” she said. The actress described the challenges of transitioning from city life to farming, especially in finding labor to work the land.
However, she sees this journey as a learning experience, one that has brought her closer to the earth. One of her most memorable experiences was harvesting spinach and fenugreek from her own farm.
“The taste of our first harvest was incomparable,” she recalled. It was a moment of realization for her—just how much effort goes into something as simple as growing vegetables.
India, a predominantly agricultural country, still struggles with how farming is perceived. Mrunmayee noted that villages are becoming empty, with young people moving to cities.
Through her work, including a documentary in progress, she hopes to inspire people to return to their roots and take up farming.
Balancing her career and farming has been no easy feat. Mrunmayee continues to act, commuting between Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai, and Pune for work. She acknowledged the challenge but remains committed to both her passions.
