Having made a name for herself in the industry, Mehreen Kaur is looking for out-of-the-box scripts to strengthen her place. The actress, who has been playing plain vanilla characters, doesn’t want to settle for one flavour anymore, when there are so many others to choose from. She says her role in the upcoming film Manchi Rojulu Vachayi is a step forward in the new direction.
Mehreen says she relishes playing difficult characters “because they’re much more fun and such roles provide me the leeway to do more as an actor.” Manchi Rojulu Vachayi is a story based on a father-daughter relationship — how a protective father constantly tries to keep his daughter away from her boyfriend.
“The subject is treated in a fun way, but it is laced with emotions and family values. I love the way the director, Maruthi Sir, has packaged it,” says Mehreen.
She plays a software employee who falls in love with her colleague (Santosh Shoban).
“The drama unfolds when the elders come to know about it; the treatment is unique and the role also brings out my comical side,” she says, adding that the film was shot in 30 days, and is her ‘fastest film’.
“We shot non-stop; we started shooting after the second lockdown,” shares the actress. Manchi Rojulu Vachayi was wrapped up recently. Mehreen has been shooting for F3 and also has a Kannada project on hand. “I have two more projects lined up, and two films to commence shooting,” she beams.
“It always feels good to be on a signing spree; work keeps us on our toes. In fact, I missed signing back-to-back films during the lockdowns. Although I enjoyed the initial three months, as I got some rest, later, being away from work started to affect me. Covid taught everyone a lesson, and now I respect my work even more than before,” the Entha Manchivadavuraa star shares.
In her Kannada debut film directed by Ram Dhulipudi, Mehreen shares the screen with Shivarajkumar. She has also picked up the Kannada language for her part.
“After learning Telugu and Tamil, I am now picking up Kannada. I am always excited to learn new languages, it gives me a sense of ownership of my character and also makes me feel I belong to this neck of the woods,” she says.
On a concluding note, Mehreen says she is glad theatres have reopened to packed houses.
“It’s a fantastic feeling, seeing the audience flock to the theatres to appreciate our efforts. It gives us the high we want, especially after the pandemic,” she says.
We ask her about her plans for Diwali, which also happens to be her birthday, but all she’s willing to say is, “I will be traveling.”
