May 19, 2026 5:27pm IST
Meenakshi Chaudhary: ‘I Know What I Bring To The Table And I Get What I Deserve’ (EXCLUSIVE)
South actress Meenaakshi Chaudhary is looking forward to her upcoming Telugu film, “Vrushakarma” opposite Naga Chaitanya and an untitled film with Karthi. A successful star in South cinema, she has made an impact with her performances in films like “Guntur Kaaram” with Mahesh Babu, “The Greatest of All Time” with Thalapathy Vijay and “Lucky Baskhar” with Dulquer Salmaan. Called a ‘Lucky Charm’ in South cinema, she will star in a Hindi film later this year. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Meenakshi talks about her upcoming movies, the challenges of learning a new language and being paid what she deserves.
The upcoming Telugu film ‘Vrushakarma’ with Naga Chaitanya is slated for release later this year. Can you share details?
It is a mythological thriller directed by Karthik Dandu. It has a really cool concept and I'm excited to play the character called Daksha, an archaeologist who's doing her PhD and is helping her professor discover something path-breaking. This is a VFX-dependent film with a lot of mythological characters involved. It’s been a great experience, and I can’t wait for the audience to witness something really great..
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You also have a film lined up with Karthi…
Yes, there's a film with Karthi, and I'm looking forward to it. All I can say at this time is that it's a very interesting concept and it is completely different from the genres that I have been doing. That's in a different space altogether.
2024 was your golden year in South cinema. You had three hits. What was the experience like?
It was a magical year, a surreal feeling, because I was working with three superstars across three different industries ( “Guntur Kaaram” with Mahesh Babu, “The Greatest of All Time” with Thalapathy Vijay and “Lucky Baskhar” with Dulquer Salmaan). It was something that I had never even imagined. And the amount of love and acceptance I received made me realize that I should follow more of my instincts and just go with it, and the right people will come along. So, I'm very fortunate.
What were your takeaways from working the three of them?
They are very different from each other, even in terms of their way of working, but they're all so amazing and magnanimous! Mahesh focuses on the job given to him. The best thing is that he makes sure everybody around him is comfortable. He is very patient, even if you fumble during a scene. For him, everybody must do their best.
I have never seen anybody as disciplined as Thalapathy Vijay. If the call sheet says 7 a.m., he is on the set at 7 a.m. sharp. His car always arrives on time. He respects people’s time and their work, and he is very mindful. He doesn't talk much, but the moment you say ‘Action’, he takes over.
Dulquer is someone who rehearses every scene before the shoot and that made me confident when we got on set, when the take was supposed to happen. This made me realize how important preparation is and he does that.
Thalapathy Vijay has just become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Have you congratulated him? Oh, yes. I wished him right after the results were announced and I was so happy for him. I assumed he would take a few days to reply, but he was very sweet and responded with a ‘thank you’ immediately. It was very, very nice and heartwarming to see that somebody you've worked with, has reached such amazing heights and now the entire nation is talking about it. It’s truly something remarkable; history in the making.
You're doing films across three South film industries, besides Hindi cinema. What languages do you speak?
I do know Telugu now and a little bit of Tamil, since I've done three films but I've done more work in Telugu. So, I'm more fluent in that. Malayalam is extremely difficult; I try to learn the language, but it's just something that goes over my head. Apart from those, I know Hindi and of course, English, and a little bit of Punjabi.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing eight-hour workday demand in the Hindi film industry?
While a little bit more discipline is required in the industry, this is a creative field; it can be hard to follow at times. Often, there are multiple people involved in this space, so it can get challenging. There are certain schedules where there is a limitation on the locations we have. I have done 18-hour shifts as well. I've done double call sheets because there's one film that is happening in the morning and then there's another happening at night.
But yes, it will be a great way for the producers to save money if we are more streamlined, if we prep beforehand. Then it becomes easier for everyone involved; the producers save money, and the artists have more energy left at the end of the day. But I do think the industry is now realizing that.
Do you think pay disparity is on the wane?
This is something that people are becoming more aware of. Healthy discussions are on, but change does not happen overnight. It is going to take time. However, I'm so glad that I got the remuneration I asked for; I'm very grateful. I know what I bring to the table, and I get what I deserve.
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