Actor Girija Oak, known for her work in both Marathi and Hindi cinema, recently spoke about how ethnicity often plays a role in casting decisions. She called the industry’s approach a “strange game of perception” where an actor’s background can sometimes help and sometimes hurt their chances of landing a role. Oak made these comments during an interview with PTI while promoting her latest film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, which hit theaters on June 12, 2026.
The 38-year-old actor, who was born in Nagpur, shared that she has faced mixed reactions throughout her career. Some people see her as looking Maharashtrian, while others do not. This uncertainty, she explained, directly affects the types of roles she is considered for.
“I haven’t done any Marathi work in the last few years, and of late, more Hindi projects have come my way. I’ve always been offered a variety of roles. Maybe I don’t look Maharashtrian, or maybe I do to some people. Sometimes your ethnicity can work in your favour, and sometimes it can work against you. It’s a strange game of perception.”
How Girija Oak Challenges Industry Stereotypes
Oak pointed to her casting in the 2025 series “Perfect Family” as an example of breaking typical molds. The show was put together by casting director Mukesh Chhabra. In it, Oak played Neeti Karkaria, a daughter-in-law dealing with the ups and downs of a troubled Punjabi family.
She explained that her ability to speak Marathi well and mix it with “Bambaiya Hindi” has helped her get certain roles. But she also made it clear that she does not speak that way in real life. She has to work on it when a character asks for it.
“Some people cast me for Maharashtrian characters because I can speak the language well and mix it with ‘Bambaiya Hindi’. Although I don’t speak that way in real life, I can work on it if the character requires it. So, if language and appearance are the only considerations, then it ultimately comes down to how people perceive me. But, overall, it has worked in my favour.”
The Age Factor and How Filmmakers See Her
The actor also opened up about another surprising part of casting: age. She shared that someone recently asked her to play the mother of a 40-year-old male lead. The offer left her confused and surprised.
She recalled a very different experience while meeting director Atlee during the casting of Jawan (2023). Atlee told her she looked very young and should be part of Shah Rukh Khan‘s main team in the film. In Jawan, Oak played Iskra, one of six female vigilantes working with Khan’s character.
“So, I don’t know how I’m perceived, where I’m placed in terms of age, ethnicity, region.”
The ‘National Crush’ Tag and Kangana Ranaut’s Funny Response
Girija Oak became an internet sensation in 2026 after a video clip of her wearing a blue saree went viral. Social media users started calling her the “blue saree girl” and the new “National Crush.” But Oak has been very clear that she does not see it as a real achievement.
During a promotional event for Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, her co-star Kangana Ranaut joked about the viral fame. When Oak said she felt uncomfortable with the attention because it was just about her genes and not her work, Kangana had a funny reply.
“I am very happy you’re in my film. Please apni khoobsurti ka istamal karke film promote kare.” (Please use your beauty to promote the film.)
Oak responded by saying there is no “certificate” for being a national crush, unlike Kangana’s National Award wins, which she called legitimate.
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Girija Oak’s Recent Success and New Movie
Oak is currently receiving a lot of praise for her role as a nurse in Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata. The film is directed by Manoj Tapadia and also stars Kangana Ranaut, Smita Tambe, and Esha Dey. The story follows the nurses and ward boys of Cama Hospital in Mumbai who became quiet heroes during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
To get the medical scenes right, the cast went through workshops. Real nurses came to the set to teach the actors how to handle syringes, give injections, and set up saline properly. Oak called the experience rewarding and said representing these real-life heroes on screen was a big responsibility.
She is also grateful for her role in Inspector Zende (2025), where she acted opposite Manoj Bajpayee. That role gave her a new level of recognition and helped her connect with a fresh audience base.
“Suddenly, a section of the audience has watched my work, and a new audience base has connected with me. The best outcome of this is that I do a lot of theatre, and every time I have a show, at least three people come up to me and say, ‘We’re watching theatre for the first time because we saw you on social media or watched one of your films.’ So, this kind of cross-pollination between mediums is the best reward.”
Oak has also been nominated in the Best Actress category at the Critics’ Choice Awards India 2026 for her performance in The Perfect Family.
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