Meenakshi Seshadri

Meenakshi Seshadri Mysore (; née Seshadri; born 16 November 1963) as Shashikala Seshadri, is an Indian former actress and beauty pageant titleholder who worked primarily in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil films. Seshadri established herself as one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses of the late 1980s and early 1990s and is considered among the leading actresses of Indian cinema.

Prior to her acting career, Seshadri won the Eve's Weekly Miss India contest in 1981 at the age of 17. She became one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses in the 1980s and 1990s, and was acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing. She received particular critical acclaim for Swati (1986), Dahleez (1986), Satyamev Jayate (1987), Awaargi (1990) and Damini (1993). She also performed at the Khajuraho Dance Festival in the 1990s.

After the release of her film Ghatak, she left the film industry to raise her children in the United States with her husband, where she runs the Cherish Dance School. A documentary was made about her life, titled Meenakshi Accept Her Wings.

Early life Meenakshi Seshadri was born on 16 November 1963 as Shashikala Seshadri in a Tamil Brahmin family in Sindri, Bihar (now in Jharkhand). She trained in four Indian classical dance forms, Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Odissi, under Vempati Chinna Satyam and Jaya Rama Rao. She won the Eve's Weekly Miss India contest in 1981 at the age of 17 and represented India at the Miss International 1981 in Tokyo, Japan.

Career

Debut and early success (1983–1985) After a forgettable debut in Painter Babu, Meenakshi acted alongside another newcomer, Jackie Shroff, in Hero. The film was a blockbuster and Meenakshi became an overnight star. Immediately after the success of Hero, she got an offer to star with superstar Rajesh Khanna to appear in a double role in Awara Baap but the film underperformed at the box office. She then appeared in several commercial films, including Love Marriage, Paisa Ye Paisa, and Lover Boy. Her next successful film was Bewafai, with Khanna again and starring Rajinikanth as the antagonist. Then Ghai again cast her alongside Anil Kapoor in Meri Jung, which was one of the highest-grossing films of 1985. This gave her a major foothold in the industry. Swati, Mera Jawab, and Aandhi Toofan were all moderately successful. The same year she also appeared with Jeetendra in Hoshiyar and with Rajinikanth in Mahaguru (1985) as his heroine. In 1986 Meenakshi made a special appearance in a song with Rajinikanth in the Telugu movie Jeevana Poratam.

Established actress (1986–1989) Seshadri appeared in many critically acclaimed films in 1986. In Swati, a woman-centric art house film, she performed the title role. The film gained immense critical acclaim and critics said, "Meenakshi Seshadri has acted in Swati the way Amitabh Bachchan acts in his films". That same year she appeared in B. R. Chopra films alongside Jackie Shroff and Raj Babbar in the romantic drama Dahleez, which dealt with the taboo topic of infidelity but underperformed at the box office. Her other releases that year, such as Allah Rakha, were average performers at the box office. Dilwala (1986) and Parivaar with Mithun Chakraborty did very well at box office. Main Balwan (1986) was average in India, but a superhit overseas.

In 1987, she appeared in the hit film Inaam Dus Hazaar alongside Sanjay Dutt. She also appeared in Dacait, an action drama alongside Sunny Deol to critical acclaim.

In 1988, she starred in Yash Chopra's multi-starrer Vijay. She also starred in the much hyped Shahenshah opposite Amitabh Bachchan which proved to be a huge success. Her best and most successful pairing, as well as her best on-screen chemistry was with Anil Kapoor. Her successful films with Anil Kapoor include Aag Se Khelenge, Meri Jung, Humlaa and Ghar Ho Toh Aisa, while some others like Love Marriage, Amba, Joshilaay were box office duds.

Commercial success (1990–1996) In 1990, Meenakshi appeared in two films by Mahesh Bhatt, the first being Awaargi, an art house film. Many critics call this her best performance. The second film was Jurm, released in the same year. The film was a critical and commercial success. Her role as a wife who has to face her problems after her husband gets involved with another woman gained immense critical praise. She received her first Filmfare Award nomination for best actress for her role in the film. She also appeared in the film Ghar Ho To Aisa opposite Anil Kapoor; the film was a hit and Meenakshi was noted for her comedic timing. and considered a cult feminist film. She performed a Tandav dance in the film, choreographed by Ravindra Atibudhi. In 1993, she also appeared in Aadmi Khilona Hai opposite Govinda; and Kshatriya opposite Vinod Khanna – both the films were successful at the box office.

In 1994, she appeared in the Tamil film Duet opposite Prabhu, directed by K. Balachander. The same year, she was in a dance show of songs from Damini: "Bin Sajan Jhula Jholu" with Aamir Khan.

Meenakshi played the female lead in the 1996 film Ghatak opposite Sunny Deol, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. It was one of the highest-grossing films of 1996. This was her last film, as she moved to the United States after marriage. The couple have two children, a daughter and a son. Meenakshi lived in Plano, Texas. There, she taught Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi. She performs with her students at charity events and fundraisers,

Artistry and legacy Acting and dance Meenakshi Sheshadri is considered one of the great actresses of Indian cinema. "Box Office India" described her as very beautiful and included her in eight top actress lists (1986-1993). Meenakshi is known for her proficiency in both acting and dancing.

Often referred to as "Damini," she is famous for her dance in the song "Tu Mera Hero Hai" from the film Hero. She is also known for her dance sequences to Bollywood songs, such as "Pyar Karne Wale" (from Hero), "Rock' N' Roll," "Tu Nache Main Gaoon" with Mithun (from Main Balwaan and Parivaar), "Teri Payal Mere Geet" with Govinda (from Teri Payal Mere Geet), "Jaane Do Jaane Do" (from Shahenshah) opposite Amitabh Bachchan, "Badal Pe Chalke" (from Vijay) opposite Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, "Bin Saajan Jhula" (from Damini) opposite Aamir Khan, "Sajan Mera Uss Par Hai" (from Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati), "Mujre Wali Hoon" (from Awaargi), "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" (from Jurm), and "Badan Main Chandni" (from Ghatak).

She considers herself more of a dancer than an actress. 1992 – Filmfare Award South nomination as Best Actress – Telugu for Aapadbandhavudu 1994 – Filmfare Nomination as Best Actress for Damini 1993 – Smita Patil Memorial Award as Best Actress for Damini''

Filmography Year Title RoleLanguage Notes 1983 Painter Babu Renu Hindi Hero RadhaHindi 1984 Love Marriage Ritu Hindi 1985 Hoshiyar Jyoti Hindi Mera Jawab Poonam Hindi Aandhi-Toofan Meena Hindi Mahaguru Basanti Hindi Bewafai VinnyHindi Maha Shaktimaan Madhuri Hindi Meraa Ghar Mere Bachche Sarita Hindi Paisa Yeh Paisa Sapna Hindi Meri Jung Geeta Hindi Lover Boy Radha Hindi Awara Baap Rupa/Deepa Hindi 1986 Ricky RaniHindi Main Balwaan Natasha Hindi Maa Beti Meenu/AshaHindi Dahleez Naini Hindi Allah Rakha Rani Hindi Dilwaala Padma Hindi Swati Swati Hindi Pahunche Huwey Log HerselfHindi Special appearance Jeevana Poratam HerselfTeluguSpecial appearance 1987 Satyamev Jayate Seema Hindi Dacait Chavli Hindi Inaam Dus Hazaar Kamal/SoniaHindi Muqaddar Ka Faisla Meena Hindi Parivaar Anita Hindi 1988 Main Tere Liye Rinku Hindi Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani Savitri Hindi Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati JamunaHindi Inteqam SeetaHindi Vijay Sapna Hindi Shahenshah Shalu Hindi 1989 Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá Reema Hindi Bees Saal Baad Kiran Hindi Joshilaay Mangala Hindi En Rathathin Rathame MeenakshiTamil Remake of Mr. India Mahaadev Geeta Hindi Bade Ghar Ki Beti Mala Hindi Gharana Radha Hindi Toofan Radha Hindi Aag Se Khelenge Geeta Hindi Mohabat Ka Paigham Zeenat Hindi Nache Nagin Gali Gali MohiniHindi 1990 Awaargi Meena Hindi Shandaar Rani Hindi Pyar Ka Karz Dr. NainaHindi Ghar Ho To Aisa Seema Hindi Ghayal Varsha Hindi Jurm Meena Hindi Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress Amba Lajjo Hindi 1991 Ghar Parivar Mala Hindi Brahmarshi Vishwamitra Menaka Telugu Akayla Seema Hindi 1992 Humlaa Seema Hindi Aaj Ka Goonda Raj Shalu Hindi Police Aur Mujrim Kiran Hindi Humshakal Sara Hindi Aapadbandhavudu Hema Telugu Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi Radha Hindi 1993 Kshatriya MadhuHindi Damini DaminiHindi Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress Aadmi Khilona Hai Poonam Hindi Teri Payal Mere Geet Laila/Leela Hindi Badi Bahen Jyoti Hindi Sadhna MadhuHindi Special appearance 1994 Duet Anjali Tamil 1996 Ghatak: Lethal GauriHindiDelayed release 1997 Do Rahain Ms. Kannagi Hindi 1998 Swami Vivekananda SannyasiniSanskritDelayed release, Guest appearance 2016 Ghayal: Once Again VarshaHindi Flashback appearance

Documentary Year Title Role Notes 1992 World of Film: India Herself Appeared alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Mira Nair 2006 Meenakshi Accept Her Wings Herself Directed by Margret Stephens