In love with India

Aakriti Sinha on Meera, Pakistan’s Aishwarya Rai, her dreams and aspirations

MORE than her films Meera is famous for her big mouth, er, unlike Mallika Sherawat. Her popularity tag shoots high, just because she is from Pakistan. Her statements keep changing now and then. Precisely, she’s a treat for the media (on both the sides).

She became a superstar in Pakistan at the age of 16. At 21, Meera is 60 films old in a little more than seven years, having begun her career with Chief Sahib, directed by Javed Sheikh, a huge hit in 1996. Among her major hits have been Inteha, Khoye Ho Tum Kahaan and Khilona. Known as Pakistan’s Aishwarya Rai, she accepts the compliment but prefers to be known by her real identity as Meera.
Meera’s affinity with India almost seems to be pre-destined, given her Indian and very Hindu screen name. "I love the name," she says crisply when asked about it. "The designer of my first film named me Meera. My mother has instructed me not to reveal my real first and second name. Besides, I believe in only one religion — that of humanity. I am not into ritualistic Islam."

Coming to her favorite subject, no, not movies, it’s undoubtedly India and she can talk non-stop expressing her feelings regarding the magnetic Indian culture. How much she loves India!

"I am half-Indian" – that’s what she keeps telling. "What I love immensely about Indian culture is the sanctity of marriage, where every man spends his life with just one woman. I love this culture and the symbols of this relationship, like sindoor and bindiya. Back home, a man can have many wives."

And the next moment, testing her vocal chords, she bursts out singing, Yeh mera India, from Shahrukh Khan’s Pardes. Having travelled the world, Meera says that she has never fallen in love with any country except India. "This was the country about which we had heard, seen and read so much but were always told that we could not go there", she says. "I am glad that the barriers are broken today and that history will record that I was the first name to work here in this milestone phase. We share so much."

"Everything is the same," she says after a few seconds’ thought. "Basically, we are much simpler folk because we are less advanced. We have no discos or pubs there, for example.

So, surely, she must be having some thoughts for Mr Right and we shouldn’t be surprised if he turns out to be an Indian and Meera the next Bollywood star? "Well" she says honestly, "I have never given marriage a thought and do not intend to settle down till I am 27 or so. I guess he should be someone settled in life, a nice and loving person. I will marry the man chosen by my parents. I don’t mind marrying an Indian, but my mother, who is everything for me, should agree," says Meera. — MF

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