What matters is how meaty my role is

This week's release, Lakshmana, sees Meghana Raj paired with a newbie, Anup Revanna, which is a first for her. But then, by her own admission, how big a star the hero is, or how affluential the production house is, has never really been a concern for Meghana. 'What matters is how meaty my role in the film will be,' she says, and adds, 'Director R Chandru visited me and my family at home, with an invitation to the launch of the film.He spoke to us about Anup and how his father, politician HM Revanna, was producing the debut vehicle. We wished him well and, in passing, asked him about the leading lady of the film. That is when Chandru said that he had come home to offer me that part.'
Naturally, Meghana's first thought was about what she would be doing in the film, considering that it is a big-ticket debut for Anup. 'But when Chandru explained the subject to me, I realized how brilliant it is. At the core, it is a revenge drama, and offers me a very strong role ' that of a soft-natured girl who is in a world of her own. She is the kind who has been through a lot in life and has, subsequently, withdrawn into a shell. The film explores how she tries to break free and how Anup helps her do that,' explains the actress. But how was it working with Anup? 'I had some preconceived notions about him, considering that this is his home production. I thought he would be pampered on set and have everyone scurrying to pander to his every need. But what I saw was a very hardworking young man, who was prepared to go to any extreme to get his work right. So much so that half of the time he would be injured, yet continue to shoot. The experience has also taught me not to judge a book by its cover and has made me more confident about working with newcomers,' says Meghana.

One thing that she does rue, though, is the fact that she does not get to share screen space with V Ravichandaran. 'Here I was, in a film starring Ravi uncle, and I don't have any scenes with him. That's a big loss, especially considering that he has known me all my life and literally seen me grow up in the industry,' she signs off.