Remember the girl who played V I S Jayabalan’s (Pettaikaran) young wife in 'Aadukalam'? The actor in question, Meenal, seems to have pleased not only film buffs with her performance in the film, but also ace director Bharathiraja. She has now landed an important role in his dream project 'Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum' (AK).
There seems to have been a confusion in her casting for the role. “Bharathiraja sir wanted to cast either me or the actor who played Cheran’s sister-in-law in 'Thavamai Thavamirundhu' for a role in his film. But little did he realise that I played the other character too and didn’t believe it even after seeing me in person,” giggles Meenal, who says she is thankful to both Cheran and Vetrimaran for giving her memorable roles in her career.
And in the shooting spots of AK, Meenal seems to be at the receiving end of praise from Bharathiraja. “At the end of every sequence, he would applaud and ask ‘Where had you been so long?’,” says Meenal, adding that she could be seen as boastful in saying this.
Meenal’s character name in the film is Narthanga and she says everybody will be happy with her performance. “It’s a very interesting role,” says Meenal.
The other film she is excited about is 'Ammavin Kaipesi', in which she plays director Thangar Bachan’s wife.
“I have played Thangar Bachan’s wife in 'Pallikoodam' too, but my character in 'Ammavin Kaipesi' will be very different. I play a village girl,” she says.
The two other films she looks forward to are 'Kaliyugam' and 'Machan'.
Meenal’s entry into cinema reads much like the standard story of several actors, who left the Madurai heartland to pursue a dream in the silver screen. Hailing from a non-film family in Madurai, she came to Chennai with no experience of acting, and is today well known in the industry.