‘Even when I’m 70, I’ll be called the Kaliyon Ka Chaman lady’
It was back in 2002 that actor Meghna Naidu’s moves in the Kaliyon Ka Chaman remix became a rage. And the tag continues to live on. Does it flatter her or does she feel it puts her in a box of sorts, limiting the range she could have showcased in the industry?
The actor, who now shuttles between Dubai and Mumbai, tells us, “Can you believe it has been 18 years so far and people still know me as the Kaliyon Ka Chaman girl? I’m surprised and shocked sometimes when people at malls in Dubai stop me, ask me for pictures and talk to me about how they loved the song. I think even when I’m 70 years old, I’ll be called the Kaliyon Ka Chaman lady.”
The picturisation of the number was bold. Naidu says it was a “risk” back then, but “it worked and how”. She admits, “Filmmakers were sceptical about taking a risk with a newcomer, unlike today. And yes, I was slotted as a hot and sexy actress.”
Cut to 2020 and she finds the scenario is different now. People are ready to take newcomers and cast actors in different roles these days “because there’s so much more awareness about actors’ talents, thanks to social media”, she says.
It was last year that Naidu took fans by surprise by revealing she had married Portuguese tennis player Luis Miguel Reis in 2017. Settled in Dubai now, she hasn’t left her passion for dance behind. She’s now a certified Zumba trainer and has also reopened her dance school, after six years of closing it for the first time.
While she keeps doing stage shows and events in India, doesn’t she miss her life in the limelight back home? “I’d be lying if I said no. Of course I miss it. We actors are always hungry for limelight and when we don’t have it, we miss it... It’s just that I haven’t been very active workwise in my own country and in this digital age, I’m a bit lost these days. Hopefully, I shall come back with a bang,” adds Naidu, asserting how “everyone thinks I’ve quit acting” and that is definitely not true.
“If anyone looking to cast me is reading this, you know I’m ready now,” concludes the actor, who has done roles and special appearances in various Hindi and South Indian films.
Radhika Bhirani