Industry children are groomed to be actors from a very young age and Meghamsh is no exception. “I want to be known as Meghamsh Srihari,” announces the aspiring actor who’s proud of the fact that he is raised in the household of actors Srihari and ‘Disco’ Shanti. Meghamsh will have his first release Rajdhoot shortly, directed by Dasari Carthyk and Arjun. Just 19, Meghamsh is tall and attractive, with a smiling face that endears him to all. He is aware that that ‘big’ names don’t matter any more, any strong story with talented new directors and actors could work magic at the box office.
“Dad is my hero and role model and we miss him. We were always connected to films and would watch any film that releases. Anna (elder brother Shashank) is interested in direction but I thought I shouldn’t let this offer go and then regret later. Since childhood, I knew I would be an actor but my mother kept insisting I finish studies first, before I pursue acting,” says the younger son of late Srihari and Shanti.
Meghamsh Srihari
Speaking about zeroing in on Rajdhoot , for his debut, he says, “Directors Carthyk and Arjun are very good writers, I liked their work. My brother and mother who heard the story liked it, but I took the final call. There is travel, friendship and comedy and everyone will respond to in a positive way.”
Sharing his experiences so far, he says, “When I was small, I worked with dad, so acting isn’t new to me. Yet the first time I faced the camera, I was very nervous, but they okayed it in the first take. My mother came to the sets only a few times, I guess she realized I become shy in her presence. I worked with Tamil actor Manobala and it was great experience to share screen space with him. All the people who meet me on the sets, recall what a nice and talented man my father was.”
Everyone knew that Meghamsh would enter the industry; not only does he belong to a family steeped in films (Shanti’s father was a Tamil actor too), but he had been prepping for it for the past five years. He elaborates, “I spend an hour and a half at the gym every day; it helps me shed any extra calories I put on because of my favourite daily diet of chicken and biryani. I love anything made with chicken. I have leant dances but I am too young to do mass action stuff, so I have chosen what suits me better at this stage.”
Looking forward to the release, the debutant says, “I am not sure how the audience will receive the story and me; I am keeping my fingers crossed.”
While Shashank is currently doing short films and learning the technical aspects of film making, mother Shanti is happy being at home. She gets umpteen offers to judge dance shows and host programmes but she is not interested. Meghamsh says, “My brother and I want her to get back to cinema but she says ‘ mimalni yevaru chusukuntaru (who will take care of you)?’ She advises me to treat everyone properly, don’t throw an attitude and how I should hold my head high. She saw my dubbing and complimented me; that meant a great deal to me. I have a nice friend circle and at home, I have a dog; it is always with me.”
