Malini Menon (TIMES LIFE; January 13, 2019)

With 6.2 million followers on Instagram and 7.7 lakh on Facebook, she beat FB owner Mark Zuckerberg and was the most-searched Indian celebrity of 2018 on Google. Nineteen-year-old Priya Prakash Varrier calls it her Scorpio charm... Excerpts from an interview

You are the most searched celebrity and yet very little is known about you...
I am a passionate person who loves to act and watch a lot of movies. Acting was my childhood dream, and when I was young, I used to be enamoured by the actresses and the glamour that the film industry, especially Bollywood, brought along. In fact, most of the time when I was alone, I used to stand in front of the mirror, think of situations and enact scenes – even hear the applause. I knew this is what I wanted to do in my life. I don’t abide by every rule

Tell us your wink story and the journey…
What happened to me was least expected. I have a character role in the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love. What I had in mind was do my role well enough for people to notice me and then take small steps towards what I really want to do. I thought of a slow and gradual progression. But fame came at lightning speed. All I remember is forwarding the song link to my close friends and family, and next morning, I wake up to an additional 1 million followers on my Insta account.

Are you a rebel?
I wouldn’t say I abide by every rule but I would not call myself as an out-and-out rebel either. There is a rebel in me in terms that I don’t really go by people’s perception or understanding of me. I follow my own gut and live life on my own terms.

Is the ‘wink girl’ tag delimiting at times?
Definitely. I do feel like breaking away from this tag now. When it happened, I was grateful and happy, but it has stayed with me for a year now and I really want people to move on and see more of me. It is really sad when people don’t even know my name and say, ‘she is the wink girl’. When someone winks, the meme is made on me. I find that pretty sad. I am hoping that when my movie releases, people will move on.

Does that mean you wouldn’t wink at anyone in real life? If you do who would you wink at?
I won’t say I wouldn’t wink at all. I don’t mind. I would have loved to wink at Ranveer Singh, but after his marriage, that option does not remain unfortunately.

Has instant popularity raised the bar of expectation?
Yes. People are really looking forward to the movie and I do not want to disappoint them in any way, and I know that I have a long journey ahead.

Do you believe in love?
Yes, of course, I believe in love but I am yet to discover my dream man. It would be someone who is understanding and supportive of all my endeavours. And let me not forget to add chivalry.

QUICK BITES

Words you would live by...
I would say be real and be kind. You can be secretive and selective about the information you give out about yourself, but when you do open up, be real and be you. No matter what happens, evolve but don’t change the fundamental person in you. If you can do that, even if you encounter fake people, you can keep it real.

Your normal day...
Typically, a normal day is a very lazy day. I wake up very late in the morning and get reprimanded by my mum for that. Often, I end up having brunches. I spend time with my family. I spend a lot of time on my phone. And yes, I love to catch 40 winks every now and then.

When in trouble, whom do you turn to?
When in trouble, I run to my mum.

How do your friends and teachers look at you?
They are very proud of me. But fame comes with a price, so there are some girls who won’t approve of your popularity. I look at it as life lessons. Not everyone has to like you, but you have to love yourself.

Your entry into Bollywood is on the line; ready for it?
I’m all ready for it. I am just waiting for the right opportunity. We have shot for a bilingual movie (Hindi and Tamil), and I’m looking forward to that.

What are the kind of movies you’d want to do?
I enjoy romantic comedies but I’d like to do some thrillers and horrors too.

Things that turn you off...
Someone without manners is a big tick off. For example, if someone wants to take a photograph, and does not seek permission, that really puts me off. I am very sensitive to smell, so the man I go on a date with should smell good and be well groomed.