Grace, grit, and growth — few embody these words as beautifully as Meghana Raj. The talented actress, who recently bagged the Karnataka State Award for Iruvudellava Bittu, has walked an inspiring journey that’s seen her experience a rollercoaster of emotions. In this heartfelt conversation with Provoke Lifestyle Magazine, Meghana opens up about her latest recognition, navigating life after the loss of her husband, the late Chiranjeevi Sarja, her upcoming Tamil film and embracing motherhood with strength and renewed purpose.

Winning the Karnataka State Award for your film Iruvudellava Bittu — how does it feel to win this award for a role that’s so close to your heart?
I did not expect to win a State Award for this film, as it was set in an urban environment — it was about people working in the corporate field and how work culture influences relationships. I felt it was a great role, but never thought of it as a State Award–winning character. But Chiru casually remarked that I’d done well and that I’d win the State Award. It feels great because there were many commercial films for which I thought I’d win awards, but they never came my way. After this win, I feel validated. I’d like to dedicate this award to my Mom – she’s the unsung hero in my journey.

You recently posted about how Chiru asked you to take up this role. Can you tell us a little about that?
So when this film was offered to me, I was also offered a role in a magnum opus that had many stalwarts from our industry starring in it. Iruvudellava was directed by a newcomer. I was about to get engaged in a couple of days and married soon after. In Iruvudellava Bittu, I was to play a mother — and I thought if I did that role, I’d be stereotyped as a mom and only get offered similar roles. I had my inhibitions, but my mom told me it was a great character.

Chiru asked me who the hero in the big film was, and I mentioned the actor’s name. Then he asked me who the hero in Iruvudellava Bittu was — and that’s when he told me, ‘You’re the hero of this film.’ I hadn’t looked at it from that perspective until he said it out loud. That’s when I decided to take the risk and do the role.”

After the award that you’ve received, are there any particular genres or specific roles that you want to portray on screen?
I’ve never really done an easy-breezy romantic comedy — the kind of new-age, feel-good film that everyone dreams of doing. Most of my projects have always been rooted in deeper, more intense subjects. Even when I did Tatsama Tadbhava, it took a mental toll on me because of how emotionally heavy it was. So, for a while, I’d love to do something lighter, something that feels easy and fun.

How has your approach to life changed after becoming a mother?
My approach to life has changed drastically after becoming a mother. The circumstances under which I had to embrace motherhood were far from normal. I had to let go of everything and start afresh — and honestly, I didn’t know if I had it in me. But motherhood changes everything.

Initially, after my son’s birth, I was in so much pain that I didn’t want to meet anyone. Motherhood truly is a journey. I remember not even wanting to leave the hospital. I would ask my friends to come over and stay with me to help with the baby — I knew nothing back then.

Everything changed when all of us were diagnosed with COVID. My parents were admitted to the hospital and were in a critical condition. Raayan (my son) was just two months old at that time — nobody knows about this time of my life. For the first seven months after his birth, life at home was pure chaos.

There was a day when the lady who used to bathe my son couldn’t make it. It was just me and Raayan at home. That day, I realised I had to do what I had to do, no matter what. I was so broken — I didn’t even know how to bathe him. I went into the bathroom, shivering and shaking, placed him on my leg, and slowly started washing him. After that day, I’ve never let anyone else bathe him.

When you reach your breaking point, a mother can truly do anything.

What are your upcoming projects?
I’m working on a big Tamil film right now, though I can’t reveal too much about it yet. I’m also doing a Malayalam film titled Ottakomban with Suresh Gopi sir, and a Kannada film called Sangeeta Bar and Restaurant with Konal sir. It’s an exciting mix of projects across different industries, and I’m really looking forward to each of them.

If you could send a message to your younger self — to the Meghana who was just starting out in the industry — what would you tell her?
I’d tell her that she’s beautiful, that she’s hot, that she has an amazing body and a great voice — that she’s perfect just the way she is! As individuals, we often undervalue ourselves. But when I look back now, I realise I was amazing and I wouldn’t want to change a thing about myself. I used to be plagued by trivial insecurities because we were always expected to be perfect. I believed in this false sense of perfection — that only doing a certain number of films or achieving certain milestones would make me truly “enough.” But the truth is, I was already successful; I just didn’t give myself enough credit back then.

How has your definition of success changed from then to now?
A few years ago, success to me meant reaching the pinnacle of superstardom — working with big heroes, top production houses, and being part of massive projects. I thought that was what defined success. But over time, I’ve realised that true success is something much simpler and deeper. Having the luxury to say no is success. Having a roof over your head, enjoying freshly cooked meals with your family — that’s success. Lately, I’ve understood how important it is to go back home to people who love you. There’s no point in being “successful” if you have to return to an empty house. I need my loved ones — that’s what matters most to me now.