Showing posts with label Meher Vij interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meher Vij interview. Show all posts
I was out of work despite winning awards-Meher Vij
8:27 AM
Manas Mishra and Amina Ashraf (BOMBAY TIMES; January 5, 2025)
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.
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‘It’s challenging for outsiders in the film industry’
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.”
I felt like I was back in school-Meher Vij on prepping for Secret Superstar
7:57 AM
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 1, 2017)
A popular face in television, Meher Vij began attracting attention after her outing in Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and more recently, Secret Superstar. With Aamir Khan’s slice-of-life film acquiring attention following positive reviews, Vij, who played mother to Zaira Wasim, suddenly finds herself in the spotlight again. “I am taken aback by the response. It’s heartening to see that people have loved my work,” Vij tells mid-day. Essaying the role of Najma, an inhibited housewife who fights to fulfill her daughter’s dream, was “defining”, Vij says.
Despite winning accolades for Secret Superstar, a hint of uncertainty about her acting prowess is evident when she says, “I consider myself a mediocre actor. There are many more talented actors out there. But, I give my films my best shot.”
It isn’t surprising then that she was taken aback when the offer came her way. “I got a call from Advait [Chandan, director], and thought a prank was being played on me. Advait had seen my work in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and watched the film four times to ascertain if I could pull off the character the way he had envisioned.”
The part eventually landed in her lap, and Vij says working on the film was a “new learning curve”. “We would have script reading sessions with Aamir at his office. I felt like I was back in school. The intense preparation helped me understand the nuances of the character. It paid off.”
However, with two successive releases that showcased her in the role of a mother, she now wants to experiment with new offerings. “I want to do all types of roles. I think I am good at comedy. I don’t want to bask in the glory. I just want to keep acting. The bar has been set high and people’s expectations [from me] have skyrocketed. I will have to live up to them,” says Vij who was also featured in Tum Bin 2 (2016) besides television shows like Ram Milaayi Jodi, Yeh Hai Aashiqui and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil.
A popular face in television, Meher Vij began attracting attention after her outing in Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and more recently, Secret Superstar. With Aamir Khan’s slice-of-life film acquiring attention following positive reviews, Vij, who played mother to Zaira Wasim, suddenly finds herself in the spotlight again. “I am taken aback by the response. It’s heartening to see that people have loved my work,” Vij tells mid-day. Essaying the role of Najma, an inhibited housewife who fights to fulfill her daughter’s dream, was “defining”, Vij says.
Despite winning accolades for Secret Superstar, a hint of uncertainty about her acting prowess is evident when she says, “I consider myself a mediocre actor. There are many more talented actors out there. But, I give my films my best shot.”
It isn’t surprising then that she was taken aback when the offer came her way. “I got a call from Advait [Chandan, director], and thought a prank was being played on me. Advait had seen my work in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and watched the film four times to ascertain if I could pull off the character the way he had envisioned.”
The part eventually landed in her lap, and Vij says working on the film was a “new learning curve”. “We would have script reading sessions with Aamir at his office. I felt like I was back in school. The intense preparation helped me understand the nuances of the character. It paid off.”
However, with two successive releases that showcased her in the role of a mother, she now wants to experiment with new offerings. “I want to do all types of roles. I think I am good at comedy. I don’t want to bask in the glory. I just want to keep acting. The bar has been set high and people’s expectations [from me] have skyrocketed. I will have to live up to them,” says Vij who was also featured in Tum Bin 2 (2016) besides television shows like Ram Milaayi Jodi, Yeh Hai Aashiqui and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil.
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