'I have been working out a lot'

Having charmed audiences with her role in ‘Charminar’, Sandalwood actress Meghana Gaonkar will be seen in a new avatar in her upcoming movie ‘Gulaabi Street’. Talking about her role, she says, “I have been working out a lot for this role. I have to look petite so I have been busy with kickboxing sessions.”

The much-anticipated movie, which also stars Shweta Pandit and Harshika Poonacha in lead roles, has had its share of roadbumps but will begin shooting the coming weekend. Meghana says, “We just had the promo shoot and it turned out well. Now we will begin shooting for the movie in Hampi.”

On the movie and her role, she continues, “It is the story about three girls in the fashion industry and their modelling careers. My character, Preeti, is a girl who comes from a small town and wants to make it big in the city, be it in the fashion industry or her personal life.”

She says she relates to her character ‘Preeti’. “She is old-school yet modern, a mix of both. I identify with that because I’m a little old-school, and modern at the same time.” While she does admit the story is a bit like Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Fashion’, she says there is more to the film.

“There have been many films that I have been offered but nothing appealed to me. I wanted something challenging...I know the word ‘challenging’ is a cliched term but this is a movie that hasn’t been done by the Kannada industry. Especially after ‘Queen’, it has been my dream to play a role like Kangana’s, and this is a bit like that,” she says.

With three female leads, the movie is expected to break a few barriers, in what is considered to be, a rigid environment. “We need to make different types of films or else we will become the smallest film industry ever. It’s not that this is something new...when Mahalakshmi acted, she was always the lead. But the trend changes from time to time,” says Meghana. 

She adds that this is the best time for actors in the Sandalwood industry. “This is a really good time to be an actor because new directors and scripts are coming up. A new trend has started and makers aren’t as worried whether the movie clicks or not. There is a lot to look forward to.” How does the actress choose her scripts?

“I look out for good stories and directors. My role in the film has to be an important one.” With two more prospective projects, the actress has a busy year ahead.