Meghana Raj

Meghana Raj

Meghana Raj at Bhujanga launch
Native name ಮೇಘನಾ ರಾಜ್
Born Meghana Sunder Raj
(1990-05-03) 3 May 1990
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Residence Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Alma mater Christ University, Bangalore
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2009–present
Height 5' 6"
Spouse(s) Single
Parent(s)
  • Sunder Raj
  • Pramila Joshai

Meghana Raj is an Indian film actress, who works mainly 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] The film was an average grosser, but its glamorously picturised songs on Meghana was a hit 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] which she followed with another hit, Bahuparak; her performances in both films were well appreciated.[13] Meghana's latest 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 film Vamshodharaka got mixed to negative reviews and thus failed at the box office.

Future projects

Meghana is currently concentrating in Kannada movies as she has been roped in to play the lead role in 3 Kannada movies Allama, Bhujanga and Lakshmana. Her latest Malayalam flick Hallelooya[15] is 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 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 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
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 Allama Kannada Announced[13]
Hallelooya Dr. Meera Menon Malayalam
Bhujanga Kannada Filming[19]
Lakshmana Kannada Filming[20]
Avalude Ravukaal Malayalam pre production
Untitled Movie Malayalam

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Prescription for laughter". The Hindu. 3 July 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Meghana Raj excited about Punda" Oneindia.in. 10 September 2009.
  3. ↑ "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Meghana Raj arrives – Kannada Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Super Admin (19 June 2009). "Sundar Raj's daughter debuting in Kannada". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Bendu Appa Rao RMP is a hit – Teluguc inema trade report". Idlebrain.com. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "'Beautiful' is a milestone in Malayalam cinema". rediff.com. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Meghana Raj blasts her way to the top of Mollywood". http://malayalam.oneindia.in. Retrieved 11 July 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ↑ "I am obsessed with workouts". Indiatimes.com. TOI.
  11. ↑ "I am Slim give me opportunity". Supergoodmovies.com.
  12. ↑ Yash’s ‘Raja Huli’ Takes Box Office by Storm. Ibtimes.co.in (2013-11-30). Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
  13. 1 2 Meghana Raj gets into the skin of a dancer for a period film. Sify.com. Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
  14. ↑ Updated, Veena N. (2015-08-28) 'Aatagara' Movie Review: A Promising And Striking Thriller!. Filmibeat. Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
  15. ↑ "Meghana about Hallelooya". The Hindu.
  16. ↑ "Meghana Raj Official Facebook".
  17. ↑ "Kochi Times most desirable woman 2015". Times of India.
  18. ↑ "Bangalore Times Most Desirable Women 2015".
  19. ↑ Meghana Raj signs a new Kannada film. Blog.actresson.com (2015-05-05). Retrieved on 2016-03-30.
  20. ↑ "Ravichandran and Anoop's Lakshmana first look poster – Photos". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  21. ↑ "The Kochi Times Film Awards 2011". 23 June 2012.

External links

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