JOIN USIt’s a Saturday night but Meghana Gaonkar is busy with work. With her movie Simple Aag Innondu Love Story just having hit the silver screen, she is in the middle of promotions, and in between a live TV show and heading to a college fest, she squeezes in time to talk to us about her journey in Sandalwood.
Born in Kalaburgi, Meghana is a graduate and also holds a diploma in acting and filmmaking from Adarsha Film & TV Institute, Bengaluru. But becoming an actor was not something she wanted as a child, though she admits that she would watch a lot of movies. “I was quite curious about the process of filmmaking and until I joined college I had no plans of becoming an actor. In fact when I was asked what I wanted to be, I always said I wanted to be a director. After my diploma, someone told me I should work in front of the camera and I thought it would be good pocket money, and agreed.”
Tele debut
Meghana started with television by hosting a series of popular shows like Kuniyonu Baara, Star Dish Dishum, Preethiya Kannadiga. “The first time I was on television, I earned a lot of praise and I chose shows that I liked — whether it was a dance show or a food and travel show. It was on one of these shows that a director noticed me and I finally got my first movie, Nam Areali Ondina. I found the role to be interesting and so I felt it was a good platform for a debutant.”
A multi-talented artiste, Meghana also plays the veena, piano and bit of violin, and has performed in the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006. A trained dancer, she credits her stint with Shiamak Davar’s dance company for instilling a sense of discipline in her. “I learnt to be professional, and the art of emoting and dancing helped me a lot.”
The young actor has been part of several movies including Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga, Tuglak, Charminar and Bhaktha Shankara, and says she has three criteria for selecting her movies. “I select scripts based on the story. Also, my role must be substantial and something that the audience can relate to.” While she has no dream role, Meghana hopes to be part of a period drama as she loves costumes and sets.
Future goals
Currently, the actor is revelling in the success of her latest film Simple Aag Innondu Love Story and says she will sign her next venture after sometime. She believes that with time she has opened up to the idea of acting in other languages as well. “If you had asked me three or four years ago about acting in other languages, I would have said no. Now that I have been exposed to world cinema, I think I would love to do a film in another language.”
After having hosted many shows on television, she admits that it would have to be something special to get her back on the small screen. “I am open to doing anything that is new and refreshing. The show has to be worth my comeback.”
Meghana also realises that social media is important, even though for a private person it is tough to be a part of it. “To be honest, I am not a fan of social media as I am not very open about my private life. I joined Facebook and Twitter to connect with my fans. The relationship between fans and actors has become more casual, and I guess it is a good change. After all, change is the only thing that is permanent. I am trying to get used to it.”
Apart from being on camera, the actor likes reading. After having done her Masters in English Literature, Meghana is all set to do her PhD. She is looking forward to doing more films and also whatever else comes her way.