Meghana Raj
| Meghana Raj | |
|---|---|
| Native name | ಮೇಘನಾ ರಾಜ್ |
| Born |
Meghana Sunder Raj Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Residence | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Alma mater | Christ University, Bangalore |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse(s) | Single |
| Parent(s) |
|
Meghana Raj is an Indian film actress who works mostly in Malayalam and Kannada films and occasionally in the other South Indian languages. She made her acting debut in the 2009 Telugu film Bendu Apparao R.M.P.[1][2] She is noted for her flexibility in portraying various kinds of roles in her short career so far.
Early life
Meghana Raj was born in Bangalore, Karnataka as the only daughter to film actors Sundar Raj and Pramila Joshai. Her father Sundar Raj has acted in more than 180 films, predominantly in Kannada language,[3] while her mother Pramila Joshai is a noted Kannada film actress and film producer. .[2] She completed her Bachelor's degree in psychology at Christ University, Bangalore.[4]
Acting career
2009–11: Debut, breakthrough and setback
Meghana Raj debuted as a theatre artist, when she was a child, acting alongside her father Sunder Raj in the play Jokumaraswamy. During the audio launch function of the Tamil film Poi in February 2006, she was invited by its director K. Balachander to pursue an acting career, starring in one of his forthcoming films. Accepting his offer, she was given the lead female role in the Tamil film Krishnaleelai, a Balachander production, directed by Selvan.[5] However, despite continuing shooting throughout 2008, which was completed in early 2009, the film got stuck in production hell, and its release got delayed for various reasons.
Even before the release of that film, she commenced shooting for a Telugu film Bendu Apparao R.M.P, which would eventually be her first feature film release. She played the character of a school teacher in the comedy entertainer, starring Allari Naresh and Kamna Jethmalani as well, which released in October 2009 and went on to become highly successful at the box office.[6] She debuted in the Kannada films by enacting the female lead role in Punda, a remake of the 2007 Tamil film Polladhavan.[4] Meghana's next release was her debut Tamil film, the Boopathy Pandian-directed Kaadhal Solla Vandhen, which was a commercial failure, while she also signed up her first Malayalam project, the horror film Yakshiyum Njanum under Vinayan's direction, which was released in August 2010.[7] Although the film was just an average grosser, its glamorous and sensual songs on Meghana was a hit among the youth and made her an instant favorite among the youth. During that time she also acted in two more Tamil projects, Nandha Nanditha, which is a remake of the 2008 Kannada film Nanda Loves Nanditha and Kalla Siripazhaga.
2011–13: Beautiful and commercial success
After a series of flops for most of 2011 where she was seen repeatedly cast merely as a glamour actress, Meghana reverted to winning ways with the Malayalam film Beautiful which was released in the first week of December. The film was a success both commercially and critically and critics widely regarded it as one of the best Malayalam movies of 2011.[8] Meghana's portrayal of Anjali, a home nurse in the film won her very good reviews. Since getting noticed with Beautiful, Meghana got a lot of Malayalam films offers.[9]
Meghana then underwent a total physique revamp by going through a strict diet and exercise regime.[10] She made this decision partly because she was getting constantly ignored in Kannada films (her mother tongue) and the reason told was she was fat.[11]
Her 2012 Malayalam film Namukku Parkkan did a decent business at the box office. Subsequent films Mullamottum Munthiricharum, Banking Hours 10 to 4, Maad Dad, Madirasi and Red Wine failed to perform. However, her next film Memories opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran opened to overwhelmingly positive reviews and was a box office success.
2013 onwards: 2nd wind in Sandalwood and continuing success
After a gap of almost four years, Meghana Raj returned to Kannada films in late 2013 with the successful film Raja Huli,[12] She followed it with another hit, Bahuparak; her performances in both films were well appreciated.[13] Meghana's next Kannada movie Aatagara was released in late August 2015 to both critical and commercial acclaim and thus achieving a hat-trick of hits in Sandalwood.[14] She is currently concentrating more on Kannada films as she has lot of offers from Sandalwood at the moment. Her next film Vamshodharaka got mixed to negative reviews and thus failed at the box office.
Future projects
Meghana has been roped in to play the lead role in 3 Kannada movies Allama, Bhujanga and Lakshmana. Her latest Malayalam flick Hallelooya[15] where she is pairing opposite Narain is also gearing up for release.
Public image
Meghana Raj has always found to be easily accessible and approachable with a no nonsense attitude. She has a great fan base in South India which is evident from her official Facebook page that has more than 2 million fans.[16] Recently she was ranked No.19[17] in the Kochi Times 'Most desirable Woman 2015' poll. Meghana claiming a top 20 spot despite not doing a single Malayalam movie in 2015 speaks about her popularity in Kerala. Meghana Raj was also ranked No.10[18] in the Bangalore Times 'Most desirable Women 2015' poll.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bendu Apparao R.M.P | Gayatri | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Punda | Megha | Kannada | Won, Suvarna Film Award for Best Debut Actress |
| Kaadhal Solla Vandhen | Sandhya Panchacharam | Tamil | ||
| Yakshiyum Njanum | Aathira | Malayalam | ||
| 2011 | August 15 | Lakshmi | Malayalam | |
| Raghuvinte Swantham Rasiya | Rasiya | Malayalam | ||
| Uyarthiru 420 | Iyal | Tamil | ||
| Pachuvum Kovalanum | Sukanya | Malayalam | ||
| Beautiful | Anjali/Annie | Malayalam | Won, The Kochi Times Film Award for Promising Newcomer
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam | |
| Ponnu Kondoru Aalroopam | Malayalam | |||
| 2012 | Nandha Nandhitha | Nandhitha | Tamil | |
| Achante Aanmakkal | Meera | Malayalam | ||
| Namukku Parkkan | Renuka | Malayalam | ||
| Mullamottum Munthiricharum | Suchitra | Malayalam | ||
| Banking Hours 10 to 4 | Revathy | Malayalam | ||
| Lucky | Telugu | |||
| Poppins | Malayalam | |||
| Madirasi | Maya | Malayalam | ||
| 2013 | Maad Dad | Annamma | Malayalam | Extended Cameo |
| Red Wine | Ann Mary | Malayalam | ||
| Up & Down - Mukalil Oralundu | Mysterious lady | Malayalam | ||
| Memories | Teena | Malayalam | ||
| Raja Huli | Kaveri | Kannada | ||
| Good Bad and Ugly | Kavya | Malayalam | ||
| 2014 | Bahuparak | Sneha / Preethi | Kannada | |
| 100 Degree Celsius | Revathy | Malayalam | Also playback singer for song "Pacha Manja" | |
| The Dolphins | Mridula | Malayalam | ||
| 2015 | Aatagara | Sakshi | Kannada | |
| Vamshodharaka | Kannada | |||
| 2016 | Hallelooya | Dr. Meera Menon | Malayalam | |
| Lakshmana | TBA | Kannada | [19] | |
| Bhujanga | Kannada | [20] | ||
| Onti | Kannada | Filming | ||
| Zeebra Varakal | Malayalam | Filming | ||
| Allama | Kannada | Filming[13] | ||
| 100 degree Celsius part-2 | Revathy | Malayalam | Announced |
Awards
- 2011 : Suvarna Film Award for Best Debut Actress in Kannada for the movie Punda
References
- ↑ "Prescription for laughter". The Hindu. 3 July 2009.
- 1 2 "Meghana Raj excited about Punda" Oneindia.in. 10 September 2009.
- ↑ "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- 1 2 "Meghana Raj arrives – Kannada Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ↑ Super Admin (19 June 2009). "Sundar Raj's daughter debuting in Kannada". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ↑ "Bendu Appa Rao RMP is a hit – Teluguc inema trade report". Idlebrain.com. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ↑ "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ↑ "'Beautiful' is a milestone in Malayalam cinema". rediff.com. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ↑ "Meghana Raj blasts her way to the top of Mollywood". http://malayalam.oneindia.in. Retrieved 11 July 2012. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ↑ "I am obsessed with workouts". Indiatimes.com. TOI.
- ↑ "I am Slim give me opportunity". Supergoodmovies.com.
- ↑ Yash’s ‘Raja Huli’ Takes Box Office by Storm. Ibtimes.co.in (2013-11-30). Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
- 1 2 Meghana Raj gets into the skin of a dancer for a period film. Sify.com. Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
- ↑ Updated, Veena N. (2015-08-28) 'Aatagara' Movie Review: A Promising And Striking Thriller!. Filmibeat. Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
- ↑ "Meghana about Hallelooya". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Meghana Raj Official Facebook".
- ↑ "Kochi Times most desirable woman 2015". Times of India.
- ↑ "Bangalore Times Most Desirable Women 2015".
- ↑ "Ravichandran and Anoop's Lakshmana first look poster – Photos". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ Meghana Raj signs a new Kannada film. Blog.actresson.com (2015-05-05). Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
- ↑ "The Kochi Times Film Awards 2011". 23 June 2012.