Happy Birthday Wishes to Meenakshi Seshadri

Meenakshi Seshadri was born on 16th Nov 1963 into a Tamil family in Sindri, Jharkhand. She is trained in four Indian classical dance forms, namely, Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Odissi. She studied dance under Vempati Chinna Satyam and Jaya Rama Rao. She won the Eve's Weekly Miss India contest in 1981 at age of 17. She represented India at Miss International 1981 held in Tokyo, Japan.

Meenakshi Seshadri, born as Shashikala Seshadri, made her debut in the flop film Painter Babu, a 1983 Telugu/Hindi bilingual film opposite Rajiv Goswami, brother of Manoj Kumar. After Painter Babu, Seshadri decided to quit acting. She was encouraged by Subhash Ghai who cast her as his leading lady alongside another newcomer Jackie Shroff in Hero. The film went on to become a blockbuster and Seshadri became an overnight star. She immediately after success of Hero, got offers to star with Rajesh Khanna. She then appeared with Rajesh Khanna in Awara Baap in which she appeared in a double role, but the film underperformed. She then appeared in many commercially unsuccessful films mainly Do Gulab, "Love Marriage", "Paisa Ye Paisa","Palay Khan" and Lover Boy. Her next film Bewafai,again opposite Rajesh Khanna and Rajinikanth became one among the highest revenue earning films of the year 1985 and thus established her as one of the highest paid actress from 1985–1996. Some of her films were moderately successful namely Mera Jawab and Aandhi Toofan. She then appeared in the film Hoshiyar alongside Jeetendra, the film was a success further cementing her position in the industry. Subhash Ghai again cast her in his next film, Meri Jung alongside Anil Kapoor which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.In the same year she acted with Southern Superstar Rajinikanth in Mahaguru. She appeared in many critically acclaimed films in 1986, mainly Swati a woman centric art house film, she performed the title role amongst an ensemble cast. The film gained immense critical acclaim and many critics said Meenakshi Shaeshadri has acted in Swati the way Amitabh Bachchan acts in his films. Again she appeared in a romantic drama Dahleez alongside Jackie Shroff and Raj Babbar which dealt with a taboo topic of infidelity, the film though underperformed at the box office it became a critical success and Seshadri was acknowledged for her versatility, over the years the film has gained a cult following. In 1986 her other films Dilwaala (1986),Allah-Rakha became successful. In 1987, she appeared in the film Inaam Dus Hazaar alongside Sanjay Dutt. The film was one of the highest-grossing films of the year and her chemistry with Dutt was acknowledged. In Inaam Dus Hazar she played a very difficult role with immense ease further strengthening her position. She also appeared in Dacait, an action drama released in 1987 alongside Sunny Deol, it was a commercial failure. Her next film Parivaar opposite Mithun Chakraborthy was a major success. By this time Meenakshi had become the reigning queen on box office and was giving a tough competition to Sridevi. In 1988, she appeared in Yash Chopra's Vijay, though the film flopped, Seshadri was called the saving grace of the film and Yash Chopra filmed all the songs on her in his trademark Switzerland, all these songs became immensely popular. In 1988, she appeared in Shahenshah alongside Amitabh Bachchan. The film was heavily hyped and became a blockbuster upon its release.After the mega success of Shahenshah, Meenakshi teamed up with Bachchan for films like Toofan, Akayla and Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati but all three became box-office flops. In 1989, she was directed by Dev Anand in the film Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá. In 1989, she made her Tamil film debut with En Rathathin Rathame which was remake of Hindi film Mr. India opposite Bhagyaraj which was a blockbuster.In 1989, she appeared in the woman centric family drama Bade Ghar Ki Beti in the title role and the family drama Gharana and these 2 films were moderate success and Meenakshi was praised for her intense performance.

Her pairing with Mithun Chakraborthy was the most successful one as both were great dancers and complimented each other in Aandhi Toofan,Main Balwan,Dilwaala,Parivaar,Bees Saal Baad,Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati,Pyar Ka Karz and Shandaar. Also her pairing and on-screen chemistry with Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol and Vinod Khanna was often cited by the media as successful. Her successful films with Anil Kapoor include Aag Se Khelenge, Meri Jung, Awaargi and Ghar Ho Toh Aisa but the rest like Love Marriage, Amba, Joshilaay, Vijay and Humlaa were box office duds.

In 1990, she appeared in two films of Mahesh Bhatt, first Awaargi, an art house film. Meenakshi's performance was critically acclaimed and many critics call it her best performance.The second film was Jurm, released in the same year. The film was a critical and commercial success. Her role of a wife who has to face problems after her husband gets involved in another woman gained immense critical praise. She received her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for best actress for her role in the film. She also appeared in the woman centric film Ghar Ho To Aisa opposite Anil Kapoor, the film was a hit and Seshadri was noted for her comic timing in the film.She then appeared in Ghayal alongside Sunny Deol. This film started her long association with Rajkumar Santoshi. Ghayal was the highest-grossing film of the 1990s and became a blockbuster upon its release. In 1991, she appeared in Akayla, directed by Ramesh Sippy opposite Amitabh Bachchan, despite being overly hyped the film flopped at the box office. Her on screen pair with Vinod Khanna was widely appreciated and the pair had hits like Satyamev Jayate, Mahaadev,Jurm, Humshakal and Police Aur Mujrim. She acted in family drama Ghar Parivaar in 1991 which became among the highest grossers of the year.She made her Telugu film debut with Brahmarishi Vishwamitra in 1991. In 1992, she appeared in the Telugu film Aapad Bandhavudu opposite Cheeranjeevi. In 1992 her film Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj opposite Cheeranjeevi was huge hit. In 1993, she appeared in the woman centric film Damini – Lightning. Directed by filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, it also starred Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, and Paresh Rawal. The film was based on the sensitive subject of injustice towards a rape victim. Damini received a number of awards including a National Film Award. She was nominated for a Filmfare Award for her role in the film Damini.Her portrayal as Damini was highly praised and she won many accolades for her performance in the film. Damini is regarded as Seshadri's career defining role.

In 1993, she also appeared in Aadmi Khilona Hai opposite Govinda and Kshatriya opposite Vinod Khanna both the films were moderately successful. In 1994, she appeared in the Tamil film Duet opposite Prabhu Ganeshan directed by K.Balachander.The film was a major critical and commercial success. Meenakshi played the female lead in the 1996 film, Ghatak: Lethal, opposite Sunny Deol. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi,the film became a blockbuster and one of the highest-grossing films of 1996. This was her last film. After this film, she got married and settled in the United States.

Awards and recognition

1991 – Filmfare Nomination as Best Actress for Jurm

1994 – Filmfare Nomination as Best Actress for Damini

1993 – Smita Patil Memorial Award for Best Actress