Born on November 16, 1963, actress Meenakshi Seshadri is best remembered for her films like Hero (1983), Meri Jung (1985), Shahenshah (1988) and Damini (1993). (All pictures/Meenakshi Sheshadri's Twitter account and mid-day archives)
Being a trained dancer, Meenakshi Sheshadri knows four Indian classical dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Odissi.
Meenakshi Seshadri had also represented India at Miss International 1981 held in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1983, Meenakshi Seshadri made her debut with Painter Babu opposite Rajiv Goswami, brother of veteran actor Manoj Kumar.
After Painter Babu flopped, Meenakshi Seshadri wanted to quit acting. But it was filmmaker Subhash Ghai who encouraged her by casting her as his leading lady alongside another (then) newcomer Jackie Shroff in Hero.
Hero turned out to be a super hit and Meenakshi Seshadri gained the much-needed fame and recognition.
In 1985, Subhash Ghai again cast her for his film Meri Jung co-starring Anil Kapoor, which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Meenakshi Seshadri has worked with some of the biggest stars in the film industry and her chemistry with Sunny Deol, Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Vinod Khanna has been loved by fans.
In 1988, Meenakshi Seshadri appeared in Shahenshah alongside Amitabh Bachchan that proved to be successful.
Meenakshi Seshadri teamed up with Amitabh Bachchan for films like Toofan, Akayla and Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati, but they flopped at the box office.
Meenakshi Seshadri and Mithun Chakraborty became one of the most popular on-screen pairs. They complimented each other with their dancing skills. The duo worked together in films like Aandhi Toofan, Main Balwan, Dilwaala, Parivaar, Bees Saal Baad, Pyar Ka Karz and Shandaar.
In 1989, Meenakshi Seshadri made her Tamil film debut with En Rathathin Rathame, which was a remake of the Hindi hit film 'Mr. India'. The film, however, bombed at the box office.
Meenakshi Seshadri's association with Rajkumar Santoshi started from 'Ghayal' (1990) alongside Sunny Deol. The film was a blockbuster and was also acclaimed critically.
In 1991, Meenakshi Seshadri earned her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in Jurm, directed by Mahesh Bhatt.
In 1992, Meenakshi Seshadri worked with superstar Chiranjeevi in Telugu film Aapadbandhavudu.
Meenakshi Seshadri and Chiranjeevi have starred together in films like Aaj Ka Goonda Raj and Aapadbandhavudu.
Meenakshi Seshadri's chemistry with Vinod Khanna was also lauded as the actress delivered hits like Satyamev Jayate, Jurm and Humshakal with him.
In 1993, Meenakshi Seshadri was cast in the woman-centric film Damini helmed by Rajkumar Santoshi and co-starring Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, and Paresh Rawal.
Damini won a National Film Award and Meenakshi Seshadri was nominated for a Filmfare Award for her role.
Damini was based on the sensitive topic of rape and is considered to be a milestone in Meenakshi Seshadri's career.
In picture: Meenakshi Seshadri with Damini co-star Rishi Kapoor (Picture/Rishi Kapoor's Twitter account)
Meenakshi Seshadri was chosen by thespian Dilip Kumar for his directorial debut Kalinga. But the film never released.
In 1996, Meenakshi Seshadri starred in the film Ghatak opposite Sunny Deol. The film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, was a critical and commercial success.
Ghatak, however, was her last Bollywood film. She later got married and settled in the United States.
Meenakshi Seshadri married investment banker Harish Mysore. The couple had a registered marriage in New York.
Meenakshi Seshadri and Harish Mysore have three children, daughter Kendra and sons Josh and Matt.
Meenakshi Seshadri has turned a dance teacher in US. She teaches Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi.
Meenakshi Seshadri told mid-day, 'I am not interested in films at this point. I would like to do stage production and dance dramas.'
Meenakshi Seshadri left the film industry for her family. 'I didn't work in movies for this long because my kids and family are more important to me. I am thinking that the day my daughter graduates, maybe at that time I will think about something,' she said.
Meenakshi Seshadri and Govinda in a still from one of their films. The duo has worked together in films like 'Awaargi', 'Gharana' and 'Aadmi Khilona Hai'.
We wish Meenakshi Seshadri a very happy birthday!
ADVERTISEMENT
