Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker said she wouldn’t mind playing a shooter’s role in films but downplayed the possibility of a Bollywood debut anytime soon. In a candid chat at Conclave Mumbai 2024, Manu expressed surprise at learning that Korean shooter Kim Yeji had landed her first acting role after the Paris Olympics. However, she emphasised that her focus remains on excelling in shooting and winning more medals for India at the highest level.
After her historic success in Paris, Manu Bhaker became a household name and one of the most marketable sports stars in the country. Upon her return from the Olympics, she received a hero’s welcome and has been busy attending various felicitation events.
When asked if she had any interest in acting, Manu responded: “My thing is shooting. My thing is sports,” only to be nudged by her coach, Jaspal Rana, to “tell the truth.”
“A little bit of acting here and there doesn’t hurt anyone,” Manu admitted. “But my main focus will always be my sport. Maybe I could do some shooting-related roles.”
MANU BHAKER ON KIM YEJI’S ACTING ROLE
Manu, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, expressed her happiness about Kim Yeji’s acting debut and wished her the best. Kim, who won silver in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, finishing ahead of Manu, went viral for her calm demeanour during the competition.
As Kim’s popularity soared, she signed with a talent management agency in August to handle her off-range commitments. Within a month, the decision paid off, and she landed her first acting role in ‘Crush’, a spin-off series from the film *Asia*, according to AFP. In the series, Kim and Indian actor Anushka Sen are both set to play assassins.
“Are you serious? That’s so interesting! Wow, Hollywood. No, it’s not like that. Playing an assassin is really cool,” Manu said, before being reminded of her own ambitions by coach Jaspal once again.
Nothing wrong in Manu showing off her Olympic medals: Coach Jaspal
“Kim won gold, right? Oh, silver. Well, let’s aim for that silver, then,” Rana added, playfully.
MANU BHAKER PRAISES ANANYA PANDEY
Meanwhile, Manu made it clear she isn’t interested in a biopic about her life just yet, emphasising that there are many more chapters to be written in her career.
“I think, by the time we consider a film about me, there will be many more people to choose from. We have so many talented actors now. My career is long, and I need a few more years before a movie about me can be made,” she explained.
When informed that Bollywood actor Ananya Pandey had expressed interest in playing her on the big screen, Manu praised Ananya for her recent work.
“Wow, that’s really cool. I’m sure she’s going to be great in the coming years. She’s already doing a fantastic job. *Kho Gaye Hum Kahan* is a really good movie. I was very impressed with her performance,” Manu said after watching a clip of Ananya’s interview with India Today discussing the biopic role.
