It would be fair to say that ever since Vanitha Vijayakumar’s eviction, the most entertaining parts of Bigg Boss Tamil ’s third season has revolved around Meera Mithun.
Often cutting an isolated figure, the model-actor, known for her roles in films like 8 Thottakkal , has been at the centre of several arguments inside the house, be it sparring with fellow model-turned-actors Sakshi Agarwal and Abhirami Venkatachalam, or her latest altercation with director Cheran that has split opinion on social media amongst fans.
On Sunday night, Meera was finally eliminated from the reality show after five weeks, and though a rumour did the rounds that she would be led inside a ‘secret room’, the housemate found herself eventually on stage with host Kamal Haasan who wished her a happy farewell.
However, it does seem like Meera has unfinished business with the show, and in her words, “would love to enter the house again” on a wildcard — despite her many detractors — and prove a point to the audience.
Barely half a day since her elimination, Meera hasn’t had time to go back and watch any of the episodes yet, but has checked the many discussions brewing online about her, and is pleased as punch over the support. “I couldn’t have felt more happier even if I’d signed 12 movies!” she grins, as she sits down for a chat with us. Excerpts from the interview:
What were your initial emotions after you exited the show?
Honestly, I’m not disappointed at all. I immediately called my mom and went, “ Ammaaaaaaaa !” as soon as I stepped out, and was met with a barrage of positivity. Be it from friends and family or the TV audiences, I’ve been termed an ‘entertainer’ which is all I could have asked for.
People tell me now that the show will be boring, and I agree. The housemates wanted me out since the moment I stepped in, but I survived until now! That’s because of the people who voted. The connection this show has given me with them is priceless.
There’s a raging debate online over your falling-out with Cheran, have you had a chance to gather your thoughts on this?
Look, I know the opinion about that incident is divisive, but there’s no way I was going to let violent behaviour of any kind remain unaddressed. I go online and see people dig old videos of my Latin dance performance during a reality show, and troll me saying I’m known for this kind of behaviour.
All I can say is this: What I felt, only I know.
Cheran had earlier called me dark, and that my skin was too black. Not just once, but twice, even when he was the ‘ naatamai ’. I didn’t make a big deal about the racist insults and ignored it; I didn’t want to come across like I was disrespecting a popular director. He had also raised his voice and yelled at me many times too — is this the famed Tamil culture he talks about, men shouting at women in the society?
Tamil filmmaker Cheran and Meera explaining their stance to host Kamal Haasan on the show
But during the village task, he crossed a line . His anger translated into violence, and it bordered on male chauvinism to think he could get away with it. I am nothing without my self-respect. If it was someone like Sandy, I would have slapped him, but I couldn’t take that liberty with Cheran. Listen, a woman knows when a physical act like that is accidental, and when it’s borne out of anger.
But instead of understanding my concern, he made it all about himself and started crying, talking about being a dad to two daughters, and so on. Listen, I said he shoved me and I didn’t approve of it; there was no mention of harassment or any sexual undertones. But he thought I accused him of ‘touching him’ and what not.
There were many other times when he was terribly cruel to me. As I said earlier on the show, God has a plan.
Do you agree with Kamal Haasan’s assessment of the incident? He literally said “Don’t falsely accuse someone, Meera.”
Actually, I do agree with him. I think I should have framed my words better and articulated my understanding of the situation — both to Cheran as well as the other housemates. I clearly hit a nerve somewhere, that escalated the matter. But that’s who I am as well, I react spontaneously in an outburst if something goes wrong.
Now that you’re outside, who are you rooting for the win?
Sandy! He’s the only housemate who is not getting manipulated by anyone, and doesn’t get overtly attached either. He has a crystal-clear understanding of every situation, and deals with it silently. I miss him and Kavin the most already.
Meera with her friend, dance choreographer Sandy, on the show
Tharshan, on the other hand, is also a very strong contestant, but he’s very easily influenced by what others tell him. Once he decides, he just walks away from the scene.
Losliya, I understand, had really strong support during the first week, but I believe now people are tired of her ‘playing it safe’ approach. She’s a very pretty girl and if she opens up and involves herself more in the task activities, she has a good chance of reaching the final week too.
Meera Mithun with fellow housemate Losliya on the show
And who should not win at any cost?
The trio of Sakshi, Abhirami and Sherin. They are... evil. They made my life difficult and planned to chase me out every week, but I never succumbed. What astonished me was the fact that as women, they couldn’t even try to empathise me when the manhandling issue with Cheran happened and try to look at it from my perspective.
In fact, the guys there were more understanding and consoled me. Phew.
There was talk of a complaint lodged against you and cops entering the Bigg Boss house to interrogate you..
It was just people trying to ride on my popularity now. I dealt with it even before the show and didn’t care about it, so why should I pay any attention now? These ridiculous allegations are how some fame-mongers try to make it in life. What, an old selfie with me means you’re my friend now?
I can fully embrace now what actors like STR, Dhanush or Nayantara go through on a regular basis. But I’m not going to let any of this stop me.
Let’s await the wildcard, but what’s next in the meantime?
I plan to carry on with my fashion and movie career in full flow. I am on the verge of completing a big-budget movie with a huge star, so I will be be busy with that. I will also set into motion my original dream of holding a massive beauty pageant in Tamil Nadu successfully, no matter what opposition I face.
