For quite a long while now, belles with tinsel town dreams seem to prefer the greener pastures of Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema to Malayalam movies. It's not everyday then that someone from those film industries chooses – and finds success – in Mollywood. Kannadiga actor Meghana Raj is now nine films old in Malayalam cinema, and after cementing her position as a bankable heroine in V.K. Prakash's Beautiful, it looks like she is here to stay.
“Why should I look around for work when it's being offered to me on a platter here in Malayalam?” asks Meghana, with a laugh, as MetroPlus catches up with her on the set of director Aji John's new film Namukku Parkkan, the shooting of which is going on in and around Balaramapuram. The actor will soon be seen in Nanda Nandhita and Kalla Siripazhaga in Tamil, and in Malayalam films like Mullamottum Muntiricharum, Pankayam, Issac Newton s/o Philipose, and of course, Namukku Parkkan, in which she hopes to recreate her on screen magic with Beautiful co-star Anoop Menon, among others.
And to think that she intended to do just one film in Malayalam… “I was working on my fourth film when director Vinayan approached me for Yakshiyum Njanum (2010), after seeing my picture in a Kannada magazine. I like to experiment with roles and was intrigued by the horror element in the story. Besides, Vinayan sir has a great reputation as a director and for launching many a career. I was keen to work with him, after all he had come all the way to Tiruchi, where I was on location, to meet me. At that time all I knew about Malayalam cinema was Manichitrathazhu. Now I am getting good work here,” says the svelte Meghana.
It's in the attitude
To date the actor has worked in 17 films in all the South Indian languages, beginning with the Telugu film Bendu Apparao R.M.P (2009). “The only difference in the industries is in the attitudes. Tamil, Telugu and Kannada industries are more glamorous and larger than life. In Malayalam cinema it's more real – like a school where everyone follows the rules! Technically, though, acting in a film is the same everywhere. Malayalam cinema is technically at par with any of the other film industries. In fact, it's experimenting and making quality films, at relatively low costs, with the best of available technology,” says the actor, endearing herself by making the effort to talk in Malayalam. “Please excuse the grammar mistakes. I don't know much, but I'm learning…,” she says, with an apologetic smile.
Although, post-Yakshiyum Njanum, Meghana did essay significant roles in films such as August 15 and Raghuvinte Swantham Rasiya, she could only get noticed with Beautiful (2011), in which she played the role of a home nurse named Anjali, who unexpectedly turns out to have shades of grey. “I wasn't too confident about essaying a negative role at first, but I had faith in VKP's craft and Anoop's scriptwriting skills. When I voiced my fears, VKP told me that I shouldn't aim at success. Instead I should do a film because of my passion for acting. Honestly, though, I never even dreamt that Beautiful would be this successful. It all comes down to being sincere and dedicated to your craft,” says the Bangalore-based actor.
And it is a mantra that she has grown up with, says Meghana. Her parents, Sunder Raj and Pramila Joshai, are both well-known Kannada actors and as a child Meghana grew up in the midst of tinselville. “It's always been there but I've always kept myself away from cinema. Then again I've known since forever that I wanted to be an actor. But I did go through a phase where I questioned my destiny, especially when I overheard people just assuming that I would end up as an actor. I rebelled and for a while thought that it would be great to do something completely different like becoming a doctor. I even enrolled for a degree in psychology but had to discontinue after a couple of months when movies came calling. Acting is in my genes; it is where I belong,” says Meghana. The actor is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in business administration from Madurai Kamraj University, with the aim of learning more about the “business” of films. “My parents have a production house. So I wanted to learn something about business,” adds the actor. Looks like Meghana's tryst with tinselville will continue.
Women who inspire me
KAREENA KAPOOR – Because she's a diva! She has been an inspiration since I was in class four or five.
VIDYA BALAN – For her success
PRAMILA JOSHAI – My mother, for the way she balanced home and filmdom. I grew up seeing her skilfully manage both.
SREEDEVI – Because my mother wanted me to be like her
REKHA – For her sex appeal!
