“For Success You Need Ability, Breaks & Courage”- Meenakshi Sheshadri’s ABC Mantras | Vintage Video From 90s - video Dailymotion

Lehren Retro

Step back into the '90s with this exclusive interview featuring Meenakshi Seshadri by Lehren. The actress provides a glimpse into her career, discussing her achievements, passion for dance, life experiences, and her remarkable entry into Bollywood.

Transcript

00:00 I have never compromised on my principles.

00:03 Our lifestyle is such that we are working almost 12 to maybe 20 hours every day.

00:26 I was born in Bihar. I started my studies there.

00:30 I studied classical dance and music.

00:33 Then I got transferred to Delhi.

00:36 I studied there and practiced dance and music.

00:39 I also gave performances.

00:41 I always had in mind that I will become a great dancer.

00:44 I will study a lot and maybe I will teach too.

00:48 I never thought that I will become a film actor.

00:51 It happened so suddenly. I think chances are a big thing in life.

00:58 That's why I am in films.

01:00 But I never stopped dancing.

01:02 I am still into it.

01:05 [Music]

01:21 Dancing on stage is a different experience.

01:25 Acting for camera is a different experience.

01:28 When I was told that I make big eyes and move my body a lot.

01:33 I don't have to throw my voice so loudly.

01:36 This camera is very sensitive.

01:38 It will capture every small look of yours.

01:41 I was very confused and stiff.

01:44 For the first time, I felt that someone has tied me up.

01:47 I was totally stiff.

01:50 But when I got comfortable and relaxed,

01:53 I started understanding the film medium.

01:55 Then everything was fine.

01:57 We may follow any profession in life, like I am in films.

02:01 But it is obvious that we are all humans first.

02:05 I don't think of myself as different from anyone.

02:09 I have the same feelings, the same emotions, the same weaknesses, the same strengths.

02:15 The only difference is that people know me more because of my profession.

02:21 And they praise me.

02:24 I would say that any kind of success, especially if it is related to showbiz,

02:34 is temporary.

02:37 I have never taken it permanently.

02:40 I am a star or a film personality.

02:43 I am very different from everyone.

02:45 People should give me a different status.

02:48 I think that I am working here.

02:51 As long as I am successful, as long as I am famous,

02:55 it is okay.

02:56 Even if I am not, it is okay.

02:58 This is good for me.

03:01 I can't say if it is good for others.

03:04 [Music]

03:30 All the artists in the film industry work very hard.

03:36 They don't rest at all.

03:38 We get very little rest.

03:41 And we don't even enjoy it completely.

03:44 Because our lifestyle is such that we are working almost 12 to maybe 20 hours every day.

03:51 And the aura of glamour that the outside world sees

03:57 is limited to the screen.

04:00 All the work behind it is full of absolute donkey's hard work.

04:06 My dad said something very nice to me when I wanted to join film industry.

04:10 He said that anyone can get success, but they need A, B and C.

04:17 This is in English.

04:19 A is for ability.

04:20 Whether you have talent or not.

04:22 B is for the breaks.

04:24 Where does the right door open at the right time for you?

04:27 What opportunities do you get?

04:29 And C is for courage.

04:31 That is self-confidence, self-confidence.

04:36 That whatever I do, I do it with all my heart and with determination.

04:40 And there is a D also which is donkey's hard work.

04:44 So working like a donkey is the right fit for us.

04:47 What are the things you keep in mind before signing a film?

04:52 Script, banners, etc.

04:56 Every actress goes through different phases in her career.

05:01 In the first phase, I saw good banners and good directors.

05:06 Later I saw good roles and then I saw good prize.

05:11 But ideally if all the things come together,

05:15 it is nothing like it. That is the best combination.

05:18 [Music]

05:47 I think this is the specialty of Indian culture.

05:54 Not only of film industry.

05:56 It is not easy to handle any married girl's work and family.

06:05 And when it is related to a line which depends on glamour and attractiveness,

06:12 it becomes more difficult.

06:14 Because a single girl looks more attractive than a male or female fan.

06:23 It feels like she is our own.

06:25 I can't say why it is not applied for males.

06:30 Maybe it is something to do with double standards of men.

06:35 But I think the trend is changing.

06:41 Many married actresses are doing good work.

06:47 And I hope this trend continues.

06:50 Which director has given you the best role?

07:00 The directors who tried to give me different roles were

07:07 producer LV Prasad, producer director Sohanlal Kavar,

07:12 I did double role in his film Awara Baap.

07:15 It is the only film of my career in which I did double role.

07:18 Apart from that Mahesh Bhatt, I had many roles in Jurum and Awargi.

07:23 Dev Anand, Jyotin Goyal and Ketan Desai gave me different roles in

07:31 Sache Ka Bolwala, Inam Das Hazar and Allah Rakha.

07:35 And lately I have got to do different and very satisfying roles

07:40 with Rajkumar Santoshi in Ghayal, Damini and now Ghatak.

07:44 I have many hobbies.

07:46 Apart from films and work, my favourite hobby is sleeping.

07:51 I always feel that I get less sleep.

07:54 But seriously I am very fond of singing, dancing, music, films.

08:04 But the most important hobby is remaining in touch with people.

08:08 I try to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family.

08:16 [Music]

08:19 [Music]

08:46 I give credit to my success to different things.

08:50 First of all, because I am non-controversial.

08:54 I have never compromised on my principles.

08:59 I did everything that I wanted to do.

09:05 And I have no regrets for that.

09:08 And I am telling you all the opposite things.

09:11 On purpose.

09:13 Normally people will say my family, my directors, destiny, my talent, hard work.

09:20 But this is a common thing.

09:23 This is a common thing.

09:25 Because I feel my success is more as a person than as an actress.

09:31 So when you ask me about my success,

09:35 I will not just think of my film career success but what I am as a human being.

09:41 I don't feel that I am doing more than my capacity.

09:46 I am trying to improve as a person.

09:49 I think that's my success.

09:52 [Music]

“For Success You Need Ability, Breaks & Courage”- Meenakshi Sheshadri’s ABC Mantras | Vintage Video From 90s

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