Actor Meghana Gaonkar doesn’t filter her words. Sorted yet candid and unbridled, she’s unabashedly proud of her choice of films, and likes going against the grain.
While travel and a PhD kept her busy all this while, Meghana is glad that she waited it out before she signed on the dotted line—six years post her last film Simpallag Innondh Love Story. The actor, who plays the lead opposite Jaggesh in the Kannada film Kalidaasa Kannada Meshtru has no qualms in venturing into the unknown, provided there’s enough meat in the role.
“The script was offered to me at a time I was obsessing over Vidya Balan’s acting prowess in Tumhari Sulu. She plays the role of a mother, and exudes so much exuberance while doing so. It was so well-done that it inspired me to take on a role that required me to essay the character of a mother,” begins Meghana, who roughly spent about 26 days to wrap up the shooting for Kalisaasa Kannada Meshtru.
Meghana knew taking on the role of a mother was a risky move. But, she went ahead only after some of her conditions were accepted.
“I’m honestly at a stage where I don’t wish to think like most others. If they think playing the role of a mother is an unwise move, so be it. I’m more focussed on getting a role that I can do full justice to. There were some aspects of the film which I was clearly not comfortable with. However, after an entire day of brainstorming, we decided to tweak it for me and that’s how I was roped in,” she says.
Elated about being paired opposite Jaggesh, Meghana feels lucky that this opportunity has come her way.
“Jaggesh sir is a delight to work with. I've had three films offered to me before, with him, but due to different reasons I couldn’t do any of them. In this movie, he plays a Kannada maestro and I represent the society. I want what most parents want for their kid—enrol them into the best English school, and the like. The julgalbandi between me and Jaggesh was great, he’s an intelligent actor. He’s a legend. I must be extremely lucky to be in this place,” she says.
While she wasn’t really insecure, Meghana remembers a rather daunting phase when things weren’t panning out as expected.
“I was unhappy that I wasn’t getting the kind of roles I expected. But at the same time, I was confident that it would happen. When I started out, I was offered the typical glamorous role against some of the biggest stars in the industry. But, I didn’t want to be launched as just a pretty face. I feared being stereotyped. I still do. Maybe, there was a twinge of insecurity I often experienced, not because of others but, personally,” she reveals.
Meghana who’s firm about sticking around for long, isn’t in for shortcuts or fringe benefits. “I don’t wish to just create a buzz or stay in the news because it’s the cool thing to do or to attract the spotlight on me. I was certain that I didn’t want a super successful career with a shelf life of just 4-5 years, I’m here to stay, irrespective of what people have to say,” she says.
She’s currently prepping on a yet-to be-titled Kannada project that revolves around the hullabaloo of the Indian wedding scenario. “It’s an anthology of five stories. I’m glad I got a meaty part to play, and my story sets the tone of the movie,” she says, dropping a hint.
Meghana is proud of her roots, and believes that it’s high time people learned and respected the language of the state they reside in.
“While growing up, I was told or rather taught that Kannada wasn't cool enough. Speaking fluent English made you smarter or better off, for that matter,” she elaborates, further adding, “It was only after I became a part of the Sandalwood industry that I realised how valued the language was. Each language is unique, and we as Kannadigas need to take pride in the language. The French love their language, so why should we be shy? In all honesty, it’s about time we removed the mask and embraced our native languages,” she says.
Not one to keep mum about the yawning pay disparity, the currently “super single” Meghana puts forth a very interesting observation. “I still feel women actors get paid a lot lesser than what they deserve. While I understand the business point of view, I wish filmmakers understood that women also contribute significantly if not entirely towards the movie’s business. Most songs, with due credits given to musicians and composers, become popular because of the woman actor involved. It piques the popularity, arouses interest around a movie. So, I feel we shouldn’t be taken for granted and there’s really a room for improvement. Also, most of us are high maintenance, so it’s only fair that we are paid to keep up with that,” she concludes with a laugh.
