Meenakshi Chaudhary, a rising star in Telugu cinema, had an extraordinary year in 2024, with six film releases, a feat that’s rare for any actress. Among them, her roles in The Goat (Tamil) and Lucky Bhaskar (Telugu) turned into massive blockbusters, and her recent film Sankranthiki Vasthunam with Venkatesh, released during the Sankranti festival, emerged as the biggest Telugu hit of the season, grossing over ₹250 crore at the global box office. She describes her success as nothing short of “magic,” and reflects on how it’s all been God’s blessings.
In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Meenakshi shares her thoughts on her career trajectory, her co-stars, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
When asked about the unexpected success of Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Meenakshi humbly acknowledges the competitiveness of the Sankranti season. She notes that while their film was relatively smaller compared to some of the other big releases, the audience’s reception and the love for the movie were beyond expectations. She attributes its success to the public’s craving for a good family movie, something that had been lacking in recent months.
Reflecting on her stellar year, Meenakshi expresses her gratitude, saying that she feels fortunate to be in this position and appreciates how every project has helped her grow as an actress. She describes 2024 as a milestone year, where she got the chance to take on diverse roles, and acknowledges that many people may be equally qualified, but she’s grateful for the opportunities that have come her way.
Her success has earned her the title of a “lucky mascot” in Telugu cinema, which she humbly accepts. Meenakshi believes that opportunities come to those who are meant to receive them, and she’s thankful for the roles she’s played early in her career, many of which are diverse and unique for someone at her stage.
In her film The GOAT, working with Tamil cinema’s superstar Thalapathy Vijay left a lasting impression on her. Meenakshi admires his dedication and discipline, noting how he stays focused on his character despite the chaos around him on set. She also appreciated his ability to detach from his role when off-screen and his full trust in the director’s vision—a rarity in the industry.
Meenakshi also opened up about her experience working with Mahesh Babu in Guntur Karam. Despite having limited scenes in the film, she admired Mahesh’s unwavering commitment, especially as the project stretched over more than a year. His dedication to seeing the film through to completion, despite challenges, is something Meenakshi deeply respects.
One of the most challenging roles for Meenakshi was playing a mother in Lucky Bhaskar. She admits she was worried about how audiences would perceive her in this new role, but she was relieved to see that people embraced her portrayal of Sumathi. The role became a highlight of the film, and Meenakshi was thankful that the character resonated with the audience.
Finally, working alongside Dulquer Salmaan in Lucky Bhaskar was a dream come true for Meenakshi, especially as she had always wanted to work with an actor from the Malayalam film industry. Dulquer’s approach to acting—his ability to bring extra elements into a scene and his dedication to dubbing for his own films, despite not being a native Telugu speaker—motivated Meenakshi to do the same for Sankranthiki Vasthunam. She feels that this positive energy has rubbed off on her, inspiring her to bring even more to her performances.
Meenakshi Chaudhary’s journey continues to inspire, and with her talent, determination, and the guidance of seasoned co-stars, she’s set for even greater success in the years to come.Meenakshi Chaudhary, a rising star in Telugu cinema, had an extraordinary year in 2024, with six film releases, a feat that’s rare for any actress. Among them, her roles in The Goat (Tamil) and Lucky Bhaskar (Telugu) turned into massive blockbusters, and her recent film Sankranthiki Vasthunam with Venkatesh, released during the Sankranti festival, emerged as the biggest Telugu hit of the season, grossing over ₹250 crore at the global box office. She describes her success as nothing short of “magic,” and reflects on how it’s all been God’s blessings.
In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Meenakshi shares her thoughts on her career trajectory, her co-stars, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
When asked about the unexpected success of Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Meenakshi humbly acknowledges the competitiveness of the Sankranti season. She notes that while their film was relatively smaller compared to some of the other big releases, the audience’s reception and the love for the movie were beyond expectations. She attributes its success to the public’s craving for a good family movie, something that had been lacking in recent months.
Reflecting on her stellar year, Meenakshi expresses her gratitude, saying that she feels fortunate to be in this position and appreciates how every project has helped her grow as an actress. She describes 2024 as a milestone year, where she got the chance to take on diverse roles, and acknowledges that many people may be equally qualified, but she’s grateful for the opportunities that have come her way.
Her success has earned her the title of a “lucky mascot” in Telugu cinema, which she humbly accepts. Meenakshi believes that opportunities come to those who are meant to receive them, and she’s thankful for the roles she’s played early in her career, many of which are diverse and unique for someone at her stage.
In her film The GOAT, working with Tamil cinema’s superstar Thalapathy Vijay left a lasting impression on her. Meenakshi admires his dedication and discipline, noting how he stays focused on his character despite the chaos around him on set. She also appreciated his ability to detach from his role when off-screen and his full trust in the director’s vision—a rarity in the industry.
Meenakshi also opened up about her experience working with Mahesh Babu in Guntur Karam. Despite having limited scenes in the film, she admired Mahesh’s unwavering commitment, especially as the project stretched over more than a year. His dedication to seeing the film through to completion, despite challenges, is something Meenakshi deeply respects.
One of the most challenging roles for Meenakshi was playing a mother in Lucky Bhaskar. She admits she was worried about how audiences would perceive her in this new role, but she was relieved to see that people embraced her portrayal of Sumathi. The role became a highlight of the film, and Meenakshi was thankful that the character resonated with the audience.
Finally, working alongside Dulquer Salmaan in Lucky Bhaskar was a dream come true for Meenakshi, especially as she had always wanted to work with an actor from the Malayalam film industry. Dulquer’s approach to acting—his ability to bring extra elements into a scene and his dedication to dubbing for his own films, despite not being a native Telugu speaker—motivated Meenakshi to do the same for Sankranthiki Vasthunam. She feels that this positive energy has rubbed off on her, inspiring her to bring even more to her performances.
Meenakshi Chaudhary’s journey continues to inspire, and with her talent, determination, and the guidance of seasoned co-stars, she’s set for even greater success in the years to come.
