Meet Sunny Deol’s heroine who was not paid money by director, was once rival to Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, quit acting at peak of career

Actress Meenakshi Seshadri recently reveals interesting details while working with filmmaker Rahul Rawail. Read along to find more details.

Meenakshi Seshadri was one of the brightest stars of Bollywood in the 80s and 90s, known for her stunning beauty and powerful performances. She worked alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, earning a special place in the hearts of fans. However, her journey in the industry wasn’t always smooth.

Meenakshi Seshadri reveals details of working with filmmaker

One of the most shocking incidents she recalled involved filmmaker Rahul Rawail, who cast her opposite Sunny Deol in the film Dacait. Despite her established status, Rawail refused to pay her the agreed amount, claiming that simply working with him was compensation enough. This unexpected move left Meenakshi stunned, but it was just one of the many hurdles she faced in her career. Despite such challenges, she remained a beloved figure in Bollywood and continues to be remembered for her iconic roles.

Talking with Friday Talkies, “Rahul Rawail ji came to meet me. I thought that I would work with a director who has made films like Betaab, Arjun, and Love Story. He told me clearly that Sunny will have the main role in Dacait and his family will have more importance in the film but the 5-6 scenes and 2-3 songs that you will feature in will be very good and they will have strong content and I believe in presenting my heroines very beautifully. I told him that he needn’t convince me.”

She further added, “He made me cry though during the signing. He clearly refused to give me my price. He said, ‘I won’t give you the price. You are working with me that is your price. Whatever I will give, take it happily.’ I was such a fan of his that I smiled while crying and agreed to it.”

Meenakshi Seshadri made a sensational debut in Hindi cinema in the 1980s, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after actresses of her time. Throughout her illustrious career, she shared the screen with some of Bollywood’s biggest legends, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, and Shatrughan Sinha. Her striking beauty and acting prowess earned her a permanent place in the hearts of fans.

However, after a successful career spanning over 13 years, Meenakshi made the bold decision to step away from the limelight in 1996, choosing to focus on her personal life. She settled in the United States, leaving behind the glamorous world of films. Though she retired from acting, her love for the craft never faded. In 1998, she made a brief return with a guest appearance in the film Swami Vivekananda, and in 2016, she graced the big screen once again with a cameo in Ghayal: Once Again. Despite her limited appearances after her hiatus, Meenakshi’s impact on Bollywood remains undeniable.