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India's new Meera

Meera gives us her take on `Nazar' and shares her experience of Indian films

If boldness is the buzzword today, Pakistani actress Meera is certainly following the trend. Dressed in a black evening gown, she appears with Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan for the promotion of her debut film in India, Nazar. The film is releasing this Friday but there is no trace of apprehension on her face. No tenterhooks, no nerves. Just poise and polish. She is confidence personified, with the airs of a superstar. And yet she is not totally impolite, just media-savvy. She doesn't feel intimidated by the persistent enquiries about her choice of such a bold role. Doesn't lose confidence when she isn't able to answer a query in English, and flaunts a `don't care' attitude when asked about the kissing scene controversy or about the likely reaction of her country folks on her return soon.

In the film, Meera plays a dancer and choreographer to whom is passed the power of foreseeing murders of bar girls and prostitutes by a dying woman on the road. "The role was not only different from my prior experiences but also a tough one at that. But with thorough professionals and committed people in Mumbai it became easy for me to work," says the 28-year-old.

For now, Meera is all praise for India, its press, Soni Razdan her director, Mahesh Bhatt the producer and Ashmit Patel, who is her hero in the film. It seems God is in heaven and His angels masquerading as Indians on this earth!

"You have given me so much of love and respect that now I shudder at mere mention of going back to Pakistan where I will have to face the wrath of a section of people," she address the media. "Mujhe to heart attack ho jayega agar India Pakistan ki dosti nahin hui to. We will try our best to release the film in Pakistan. We will talk to Musharraf saab. The film is co-produced for dosti between two countries, not for creating controversies," she says.

Claim to fame

Back home, Meera says that her father, siblings, including two sisters who live in London and two brothers, have supported her, but her mother is shocked and moaning. "She says Hindustan walon ne meri beti cheen li (Indians have snatched my daughter). She cried a lot. Nothing consoles her. She used to send me food on the film sets in Pakistan. She would call up many times a day to find out about my well-being. She is worried and refuses to cooperate," says Meera, a shade ruefully.

"Initially I had problems interacting with Soni Razdan, who is now my elder sister, mom-like, kyunki woh angrezi bahut bolti hain (she mostly speaks in English) and my English is not good. In India everyone speaks in English. We don't do that as much in Pakistan. She faced problems, as I used to speak in chaste Urdu. Many times, I wouldn't understand her and she wouldn't understand me. So we would end up telling each other, `you teach me English and I will teach you Urdu'," she laughs.

"Because of this film, I have been written about even internationally. For me, it is quite an achievement," she says.

Meera started modelling at the age of 14. Her debut film was Chief Sahab. Then came Kaanta. Her Salakhain and Salim Anarkali are known to have done very well in Pakistan. She is also doing some TV shows there. Sameena Peerzada, one of the most revolutionary Pakistani film directors recommended Meera to Bhatt. She will not only be featured in Bhatt's next production with Emraan Hashmi but is also set to produce a film on the situation of Asians in the U.K. A different Meera this!

RANA SIDDIQUI

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