Step back into the '90s with this exclusive interview featuring Meenakshi Seshadri by Lehren. The actress provides a glimpse into her career, discussing her achievements, passion for dance, life experiences, and her remarkable entry into Bollywood.
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00:00 I have never compromised on my principles.
00:03 Our lifestyle is such that we are working almost 12 to maybe 20 hours every day.
00:26 I was born in Bihar. I started my studies there.
00:30 I studied classical dance and music.
00:33 Then I got transferred to Delhi.
00:36 I studied there and practiced dance and music.
00:39 I also gave performances.
00:41 I always had in mind that I will become a great dancer.
00:44 I will study a lot and maybe I will teach too.
00:48 I never thought that I will become a film actor.
00:51 It happened so suddenly. I think chances are a big thing in life.
00:58 That's why I am in films.
01:00 But I never stopped dancing.
01:02 I am still into it.
01:05 [Music]
01:21 Dancing on stage is a different experience.
01:25 Acting for camera is a different experience.
01:28 When I was told that I make big eyes and move my body a lot.
01:33 I don't have to throw my voice so loudly.
01:36 This camera is very sensitive.
01:38 It will capture every small look of yours.
01:41 I was very confused and stiff.
01:44 For the first time, I felt that someone has tied me up.
01:47 I was totally stiff.
01:50 But when I got comfortable and relaxed,
01:53 I started understanding the film medium.
01:55 Then everything was fine.
01:57 We may follow any profession in life, like I am in films.
02:01 But it is obvious that we are all humans first.
02:05 I don't think of myself as different from anyone.
02:09 I have the same feelings, the same emotions, the same weaknesses, the same strengths.
02:15 The only difference is that people know me more because of my profession.
02:21 And they praise me.
02:24 I would say that any kind of success, especially if it is related to showbiz,
02:34 is temporary.
02:37 I have never taken it permanently.
02:40 I am a star or a film personality.
02:43 I am very different from everyone.
02:45 People should give me a different status.
02:48 I think that I am working here.
02:51 As long as I am successful, as long as I am famous,
02:55 it is okay.
02:56 Even if I am not, it is okay.
02:58 This is good for me.
03:01 I can't say if it is good for others.
03:04 [Music]
03:30 All the artists in the film industry work very hard.
03:36 They don't rest at all.
03:38 We get very little rest.
03:41 And we don't even enjoy it completely.
03:44 Because our lifestyle is such that we are working almost 12 to maybe 20 hours every day.
03:51 And the aura of glamour that the outside world sees
03:57 is limited to the screen.
04:00 All the work behind it is full of absolute donkey's hard work.
04:06 My dad said something very nice to me when I wanted to join film industry.
04:10 He said that anyone can get success, but they need A, B and C.
04:17 This is in English.
04:19 A is for ability.
04:20 Whether you have talent or not.
04:22 B is for the breaks.
04:24 Where does the right door open at the right time for you?
04:27 What opportunities do you get?
04:29 And C is for courage.
04:31 That is self-confidence, self-confidence.
04:36 That whatever I do, I do it with all my heart and with determination.
04:40 And there is a D also which is donkey's hard work.
04:44 So working like a donkey is the right fit for us.
04:47 What are the things you keep in mind before signing a film?
04:52 Script, banners, etc.
04:56 Every actress goes through different phases in her career.
05:01 In the first phase, I saw good banners and good directors.
05:06 Later I saw good roles and then I saw good prize.
05:11 But ideally if all the things come together,
05:15 it is nothing like it. That is the best combination.
05:18 [Music]
05:47 I think this is the specialty of Indian culture.
05:54 Not only of film industry.
05:56 It is not easy to handle any married girl's work and family.
06:05 And when it is related to a line which depends on glamour and attractiveness,
06:12 it becomes more difficult.
06:14 Because a single girl looks more attractive than a male or female fan.
06:23 It feels like she is our own.
06:25 I can't say why it is not applied for males.
06:30 Maybe it is something to do with double standards of men.
06:35 But I think the trend is changing.
06:41 Many married actresses are doing good work.
06:47 And I hope this trend continues.
06:50 Which director has given you the best role?
07:00 The directors who tried to give me different roles were
07:07 producer LV Prasad, producer director Sohanlal Kavar,
07:12 I did double role in his film Awara Baap.
07:15 It is the only film of my career in which I did double role.
07:18 Apart from that Mahesh Bhatt, I had many roles in Jurum and Awargi.
07:23 Dev Anand, Jyotin Goyal and Ketan Desai gave me different roles in
07:31 Sache Ka Bolwala, Inam Das Hazar and Allah Rakha.
07:35 And lately I have got to do different and very satisfying roles
07:40 with Rajkumar Santoshi in Ghayal, Damini and now Ghatak.
07:44 I have many hobbies.
07:46 Apart from films and work, my favourite hobby is sleeping.
07:51 I always feel that I get less sleep.
07:54 But seriously I am very fond of singing, dancing, music, films.
08:04 But the most important hobby is remaining in touch with people.
08:08 I try to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family.
08:16 [Music]
08:19 [Music]
08:46 I give credit to my success to different things.
08:50 First of all, because I am non-controversial.
08:54 I have never compromised on my principles.
08:59 I did everything that I wanted to do.
09:05 And I have no regrets for that.
09:08 And I am telling you all the opposite things.
09:11 On purpose.
09:13 Normally people will say my family, my directors, destiny, my talent, hard work.
09:20 But this is a common thing.
09:23 This is a common thing.
09:25 Because I feel my success is more as a person than as an actress.
09:31 So when you ask me about my success,
09:35 I will not just think of my film career success but what I am as a human being.
09:41 I don't feel that I am doing more than my capacity.
09:46 I am trying to improve as a person.
09:49 I think that's my success.
09:52 [Music]