Meenakshi Seshadri

Meenakshi Seshadri (; born 16 November 1963) is an Indian former actress, model, dancer and beauty pageant titleholder. She worked primarily in Hindi films, with few films in Telugu and Tamil. She made her debut with the film ''Painter Babu'' (1983) produced by Manoj Kumar, and her second film ''Hero'' (1983) catapulted her to instant stardom. In a career spanning a decade, she established herself as one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses of her time.

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 was noted for her performances in films including ''Hero'' (1983), ''Aandhi-Toofan'' (1985), ''Meri Jung'' (1985), '' Swati'' (1986), ''Dilwaala'' (1986), ''Dacait'' (1987), ''Inaam Dus Hazaar'' (1987), '' Parivaar'' (1987), '' Shahenshah'' (1988), ''Mahaadev'' (1989), ''Awaargi'' (1990), '' Jurm'' (1990), '' Ghayal'' (1990), ''Ghar Ho To Aisa'' (1990), ''Damini'' (1993), ''Duet'' (1994) and '' Ghatak'' (1996). 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 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 in ''Hoshiyar'' with Jeetendra and 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'' (1986).

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. Meenakshi teamed up with Bachchan for ''Toofan'', ''Akayla'', and ''Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati'', but all three were flops.

In 1988 Prakash Mehra had announced ''Dhan Dhahej'', starring Anil Kapoor and Meenakshi, Sanjay Khan announced ''Sarzameen'' with Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi, and Vinod Khanna, Ramesh Sippy announced ''Aalishaan'' with Amitabh Bachchan and Meenakshi but none of these movies took off. Then Subhash Ghai signed Bachchan for the first time in film ''Devaa'' opposite Meenakshi Seshadri, but it was shelved after a song picturised on Bachchan and Shammi Kapoor that was sung by Mohammed Aziz.

In 1989, she was directed by Dev Anand in ''Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá.'' In 1989, she also made her Tamil film debut with ''En Rathathin Rathame'', a remake of the Hindi film ''Mr. India'', opposite K. Bhagyaraj, which bombed at the box office. She also appeared in Kalpataru's family dramas ''Bade Ghar Ki Beti'' and ''Gharana'' which were moderate successes.

She worked with fellow dancer Mithun Chakraborthy in '' Aandhi Toofan'', ''Main Balwan'', ''Dilwaala'', '' Parivaar'', '' Bees Saal Baad'' ''Pyar Ka Karz'', and ''Shandaar.'' Her pairings with Shroff, Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, and Vinod Khanna were hugely popular and often praised by the media''.'' 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. She then appeared in '' Ghayal'' alongside Sunny Deol. This film started her long association with Rajkumar Santoshi. ''Ghayal'' was the highest-grossing film of the 1990s.

In 1991, she appeared opposite Amitabh Bachchan in ''Akayla'', directed by Ramesh Sippy; despite being well-promoted, the film flopped at the box office. Her on-screen pairing with Vinod Khanna was widely appreciated, and the pair starred in such successful films as ''Satyamev Jayate'', ''Mahaadev'', ''Jurm'', ''Humshakal'', and ''Police Aur Mujrim''. She acted in the successful family drama ''Ghar Parivar'' in 1991, with Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor as her co-stars. Meenakshi made her Telugu film debut with ''Brahmarshi Viswamitra'' in 1991. The same year, Raj Kumar Santoshi started the film ''Dil Hai Tumhara'' with Sunny Deol. Meenakshi paired for the first time with Salman Khan; they only shot once before the film was shelved.

In 1992, she appeared in the Telugu film ''Aapadbandhavudu'' opposite Chiranjeevi. In 1992 her film ''Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj'' opposite Chiranjeevi was a hit.

In 1993, she appeared in the film ''Damini – Lightning''. Directed by filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, it also starred Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, and Paresh Rawal. The film depicted the sensitive subject of injustice towards a rape victim. She won many accolades for her performance in the film. ''Damini'' received a number of awards, including a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award nomination. ''Damini'' is regarded as Meenakshi's career-defining role.
/ref> 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 Ganeshan, 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: Lethal'' 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.

Hiatus (1997–present)

After her marriage, she made a rare appearance on Shekhar Suman's talk show. After a few years of marriage, she shifted her base to Plano, Texas, in the United States. In an interview she stated: "Coming from a very Indo-centric background, life abroad shook me, I just could not relate to the US environment." However, with the passage of time she has settled there. Now she is running her own dance school in Carrollton called Cherish Institute of Dance; The school is described as "an assembly of talented dancers, a voluntary body to enhance multi-culture, revealing the best talent of people of all ages".

Personal life

Meenakshi retired from cinema after marrying investment banker Harish Mysore in 1995. They had a civil wedding and a registered marriage in New York. The couple have two children, a daughter and a son. Meenakshi lives in Plano, Texas. There, she teaches Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi

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