It is perhaps not as much a comment on one’s memory as on the staying power of a contemporary actor if her name, despite the use of the endlessly evocative adjective ‘controversial’, doesn’t quite ring a bell. The title of her latest release, Paanch Ghantey Mien Paanch Crore , does nothing either. It is only when one is reminded of the ill-fated Nazar that precisely who Meera is starts becoming apparent.
The Pakistani actress will try once again to make her mark in Bollywood. Her calling card this time is Bhadaas , a psychological thriller, set to release next month. “My role is of someone with a split personality,” Meera informs over the phone, in a downcast voice. “It was a challenging role because I have to portray an innocent, positive girl who suddenly acquires a lot of negativity and turns into a different girl altogether.”
Although aware of the treatment meted out to her previous films at the box office, she seeks solace in the fact that Paanch Ghantey Mien Paanch Crore placed on a “top 10 bold films” list last year. “In Pakistan I have worked in 175 projects, including films, ads and TV. I have tasted ultimate success in my life, like Aishwarya Rai or Madhuri Dixit here. This is my fifth film here and my hope is to give a hit film, and I think Bhadaas will click with the masses. I want a space in their hearts, even if it’s a small budget film.”
She feels she will not be able to do so as long as the old guard still rules Bollywood. “The same old directors, the same old girls! People have tired of them. It’s necessary to bring about change,” she opines.
Meera has charted out a clear path for herself: working in multi-starrers with “big directors like Imtiaz and Vishal Bhardwaj.” After a thoughtful pause, she adds Karan Johar to the list. “I have my own visual personality and I believe in competition. I want to share screen with other actresses so that people can judge for themselves. When two players play on one field, one wins and the other loses.”