Meena

Meena is one of the few heroines down south who is equally popular in all the south Indian language films. And surprisingly, one of the few who managed to give hits in any of the south films with top heroes. Last year, she starred with Mohan Lal in Olympian Anthony Adam and had a few films with top stars in other languages too. Meena in conversation.

You don't seem to figure in many Tamil movies off late...

I have done so many films in other languages too and especially when the films are a hit, I cannot turn down the offers.

We heard that Shilpa Shetty was the first choice for Vanathepol?

It's true. Vikraman had doubts about whether I would be able to carry off well in modern dresses, as I had to play the role of a city girl who comes to the village. Later on, when they finalised me, Vikraman wanted to see how I look in modern dresses and, only after my first shot in a modern outfit was filmed did he heave a sigh of relief!

Which are your forthcoming films in Tamil?

Vetri Kodi Kaatu by Cheran, who made the two super hits Bharathi Kannamma and Poarkalam with me, has me cast in a very different role this time, portraying a family girl type of image. He has extracted a very good performance from me. Next is Mayee with Sarath Kumar in which I have a role to play in the climax. Next in line is Rhythm with Arjun and Sriramajayam with Sarath. I have signed a Prabhudeva film, Doubles. A Malayalam film and two Telugu films are on the cards for the year 2000. For April 14, I will have two releases-Vatri Koti Kaatu and Mayee.

Your favourite film?

Seetharama Kalyanam, Muthu, Yeshuman, Varnapakittu, Allari Alludu and Oru Orilla Rajakumari.

The most disappointing film...

Panjaram, a Telugu film in which I play a young girl married to a 60-year old widower who is a sadist and even his sons torture me. I worked very hard and shootings were from 5 am onwards, but the film bombed due to a bad release.

The lesson you have learnt...

Never to be frank and see that you are not a headache for the producer. All I ask is for cornflakes in the morning and a bowl of vegetables for lunch.

The secret of your longevity in films?

Combine performance with glamour. If you are good in only one aspect, then you are bound to fade out. But if you combine both, you will remain in the mind of the viewer. See Avai Shanmughi, Yeshuman, Natammal or even Snehakosam; all of them are a combination of glamour and acting.

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