Meghna Malik says TV needs to evolve and affect social change.

Meghna Malik says while television has greater reach than films, it’s more for entertainment. Adds money motivates her to do TV serials

Meghna Malik will soon be back on the tube. “The love of the audience is a huge factor that drives me to do TV, and of course, the money,” she says talking about her love for television. “Visibility, too, is important because when the audiences appreciate you, it feels good. TV has greater reach than cinema, and its connect is huge. So, when you are not on TV, you miss that (laughs).” The senior actor, who has been part of various film, plays and television shows, is best known for her portrayal as Ammaji from the hit TV show Na Aana Is Des Laado that ended in 2012 after 870 episodes. She did two other shows Gustakh Dil and Dahleez in the last four years and now is gearing up to reprise the role of the biggest hit of her career once again.

The actor admits she got synonymous with the role of a strong antagonist but hasn’t felt the downside of the image yet. “When a show is on air for as long as three years, people will obviously associate the character with the actor. I feel lucky to have played an iconic character, which has been replicated in many other shows. I got a lot of love and appreciation from the audience. A hit show is a hit show but people say, I am a kamaal ki actor (you are a brilliant actor), it feels good. The respect is humbling. The flip side is that the industry slots you in a certain category. But I am glad that I got a show like Dahleez, where I played a strong female character but look-wise, it was the opposite of what I had played before.”

In many TV shows, female characters are shown to be illtreated, mentally and physically, in the name of creativity followed with a ticker that says the scene is an attempt to bring awareness. Meghna says, “TV is not a medium for reforms as it is purely for entertainment. I want TV to evolve. I hope we have progressive shows on TV. Highlighting a serious issue or real-life incidents is also a norm in the news and by showing tortured women on TV, you might inspire some women who haven’t been able to raise their voice against oppression. But having said that, I want to add that, there are other kinds of women in India who are not tortured and have normal, successful, happy lives. There are many good and positive stories one can tell. For example, in the interiors, there are many successful women working on smaller levels to enrich their lives. We need to tell their stories too. Daily soaps start with the story of an educated accomplished woman but ultimately the story boils down to the drawing room of the house due to demands of daily episodes.”