 Q:
After doing a film like 'Bharathi Kanama' you surprised your fans and
others by accepting to do a totally glamorous role in 'Naam Iruvar
Namakku Iruvar'. So while you were already doing a mellowed and subdued
role in 'Daya' you agreed for this one song dance performance in 'Shah
Jahan'. You tend to jolt the audience with a unique mix and match of
what you choose to do onscreen? Is it intentional or just to break the
monotony?
Meena:
Well, you could say it is partly intentional and sometimes I do it to
break the monotony, because I don't want to be stereotyped or branded
for a particular cast. Sometimes you have to try hard to break the mould
you are cast into weather you like it or not. You see, right from my
childhood I have been in this industry. So, I relatively know a lot of
people, I have a lot of well-wishers and friends and when they come and
ask you to do something, its really hard to say "No". You
can't afford or wouldn't have the heart to give a negative answer to
friends and people who have made me what I am today. They have helped me
come this far in the industry, to this stage where I am now. I owe them
more than just a nod for a song. Since it is in the name of friendship,
there are no hassles about just a one song appearance. The 'Shah Jahan'
song was something in that line. I also had done another one song
sequence in another film already. It was a very nice film called 'Anbudan'.
It was a film starring Arunkumar. Since I had ready did such a one song
sequence before the 'Shah Jahan' number.
Q: Is there any
controversy surrounding the release of the film 'Kaadhaley Swasam'? If
so what is it? When is the film hitting the theatres?
Meena: When is it hitting the theatres? I wish I knew that
(laughs). Most of the shooting schedule is over though we still have a
little more work on the dubbing and editing left to do. I really don't
know what is the controversy surrounding it (well, if there is one in
the first place). May be you should ask Mr.Prabhu Nepal about it. Though
he did tell me that the film has come out great. Just like what we had
expected it to be. They are planning to finish the pending work with the
film and release it soon. And I hope it does because the songs have
turned out to be great and so have the picturisation of the songs. As
for my role in the film it is not just different characterwise, but my
basic appearance and costume in the film is also quite different,
something which I have never done before. I am having this straight
haired look throughout the movie, which is very unusual. The costume in
the film is very ultra modern and elegant with a Bollywood touch. Not
any of those flashy costumes but more of pastel shades rather. Well, it
was a different role in all aspects.
Q: Can you mention a
few lines about you role in the films 'Commissioner Easwarapandi"
and "Dhevan"?
Meena: "Comissioner Easwarapandi" is a Malayalam film
with Mammutty. It is a dubbed version of the Malayalalm film "Raksasha
Rajavu". My role in the film is nothing much I can tell about. It
is quite a trivial role in the film. But it was a film I had done just
for the sake of Mr.Mamutty and Director Vinayan. They had been asking to
take up that role and had been convincing me for a very very long time
to do it and so it was. I actually missed a few other impressive roles
because I was committed to that, though it was unfortunate that way, but
no regrets. In the movie "Dhevan" I am playing the role of a
TV anchor, it is basically a thriller movie.
Q: Is it a role
similar to that of what Raveena Tandon did in "Aalavandaan"?
Meena: No! (laughs). It is not on that lines but it is a key
role. It was good and convincing when I was narrated the script. It is
turning out to be great. I play the role of a woman who supports a man
in his mission. It is releasing soon. Mr.Arun Pandian has been telling
me that there are plans to do the film in Dolby DTS effect. It would be
hitting the theatres soon.
Q: The film
"Lovers" you are doing with Abbas and Murali. Is it a typical
love triangle film or more of a romantic comedy?
Meena: The movie almost has all the ingredients in it. It has a
good comedy track, it involves a certain amount of romantic drama and
sentiments. It is totally a family entertainer.
Q: Then why is it
called "Lovers" leading us to believe it is a love triangle?
Meena: Well, it is typically not a love triangle. It is something
different from the usual corners of a love triangle. It has unexpected
twists and turns, something a bit unusual for the Tamil cinema audience.
Well, I am bound not to tell the story! So you have to wait till the
movie is released.
Q: Are you doing a
film called 'Kadhal Sadugudu' with the latest sensation Chiyaan Vikram?
Meena: No, I am not doing any such film with Chiyaan Vikram.
Q: You are gifted
with a look that blends well with the new generation of heroes like
Vijay, Vikram, etc and as well as with the more mature artistes like
Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan and Vijaykanth? Do you find it to your
advantage?
Meena: First of all 'thank you'. I think it is kind of
advantageous. Well it certainly seems to work to my favor. It's nice to
work with both the generation of heroes. And what can I say other than
"I am happy". (smiles)
Q: You have a
milestone relationship for starring in Rajinikanth's movies. How come
you did not bag a role in the film 'Baba'. Did it come as a
disappointment?
Meena: Well, that is a question you should be asking Mr.Baba. I
don't know why I wasn't starred in the film. I wish I could have but
then no disappointments. I really don't like to be disappointed and
usually not because I don't have great expectations about anything. It
is easer that way, infact better in so many ways. When high expectations
are running really low you don't have to face the consequences or be
subjected to the pain of disappointment. Well Mr. Rajinkanth actually
decides everything about his movie, the director, the music director,
the cast and crew, script, heroine basically everything. So as for me
not bagging any role in Baba, no disappointments as such, but it would
have been great if I had a chance to work with him again.
Q: Malayalam films
come with a strong script, offer a scope for natural performance and
usually form the basis of box office hits when they are re-made in other
languages. You were doing quite a number of Malayalam films in the
recent past but now you don't seem to be doing many? Why? What are the
other language films you are doing?
Meena: Usually I do a lot of Tamil and Telugu films, they are my
main focus. I act in Malayalam and Kannada films are very rarely.
Usually when I am comfortable with the unit, the banner and the script
then I don't mind working in Malayalam and Kannada films. While I was
working in Malayalam films also, it was not like I was continuously
working in Malayalam films at a stretch. All those films were in a gap
over a period of years on a regular basis. May be yearly one or two
Malayalam and Kannada films. It is has always been so and it is still
the same, it has never changed. I try to focus more on Telugu and Tamil
films.
Q: You have a steady
career graph that you have established over a period of time as a
consistent actress, but the interval points on the graph seem to have a
wide range while it is steadily making its positive slope? Why is it so?
Why the time gap?
Meena: Right now the whole film industry is going through a
relatively "lull phase". Not all the films which hit the
theatres are clicking, only a few films are really upto the mark and
getting close to the line. Not much of production as in big banners is
happening, like it used to do before. Producers are not willing to
produce any more mega-budget films. Previously on an average 100 films
would be released in a year but now it is barely 40 to 50 films. So out
of the few films that promise to be upto the mark, an artiste has to be
very careful in choosing her role. It takes time for something you like
to come along. That's one of the reason for the time gap. Apart from
that I am shooting in four different languages, so when I am off in
another area, it seems like I have taken a break in one. Otherwise I am
busy always. I am doing films all the time.
Q: Like any other
interview this wouldn't be complete if we don't ask one of the most
beautiful, eligible, talented and single actress about her marriage?
When is marriage on the cards and what would be your definition of your
'ideal man'?
Meena: (Laughs) Well I have honestly not thought about marriage
yet. Not given it a shot of serious thought to it. My ideal man? I would
like him to be understanding, hard-working, faithful and honest. Well as
for the last two qualities in a man, it is going to be very difficult to
find a man so. But if I do, if I find someone with all these qualities,
I will definitely let the whole world know about it.
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