Meher Vij, known for her roles in films like Secret Superstar, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Ardaas, visited Lucknow sometime back. While talking to us, the actress shared about her experiences in the city, reflected on her journey in the film industry, discussed the dynamics of her relationship with her husband Manav Vij being in the same industry, and more.

Talking about her visit to the city she shared, “It’s amazing! It’s a city of royalty, the city of Nawabs. People here are very warm, kind, and humble. The food is outstanding. The buildings and architecture are beautifully designed; there’s a unique vibe here. And there’s a special kind of peace in Lucknow. It’s refreshing to disconnect from Mumbai for a while.”

The journey in the film industry hasn’t been that difficult for Meher, she feels. “Actually, for me, it wasn’t too difficult. When I auditioned for Bajrangi Bhaijaan, they called me back the next day, and I was finalized right away. But I know that many TV actors don’t get the same opportunities in films. Maybe I was lucky. It’s a preconceived notion that TV actors are overexposed – they’ve been seen so much on television that filmmakers wonder how they can ‘launch’ them in films. I think that level of exposure might make it hard for them to fit in films.”

Having an actor husband, Manav Vij, comes with a lot of benefits for Meher. “We talk about our characters and discuss our scripts. There’s a friendship between us, a camaraderie, and we have no hesitation in telling each other the truth. If I think he went overboard in a scene, I’ll tell him, and he does the same for me. There’s no veil of formality between us, and I think this clear communication helps us grow. We want the best for each other, so there’s honesty in our feedback. He’s my best critic,” she said.

OTT has changed the scene for actresses opines Meher. “It is OTT where actresses can play strong, confident characters. But in mainstream cinema, there’s still a typical image of heroines – glamour, specific kinds of clothes, body expectations. Mainstream cinema still portrays women in the old, hackneyed way. It’s still there, but there’s also a parallel track where strong female characters are gaining ground. It will take time, but I think we’re slowly moving forward,” she said.

Meher said, “It’s challenging for outsiders to get work in the film industry, but the better you perform, the more you stand out. Even though I won several awards for Secret Superstar, I was still out of work for a long time. Somehow, I managed, but it can be tough. I wait for work that I truly believe in because I don’t want to regret doing something I don’t connect with.”