MILLESIMAL JANUARY 2023

In her pursuit to be the best in her craft, MEGHANA always gives everything she does her complete self. For she believes, that all LIFE has given her is extremely precious, and it deserves her best too. Hailing from an Army background, she studied to be a journalist. But short while later, she realized her calling was elsewhere.

As a theatre enthusiast right since her school days, she decided to make this passion of hers, her career.

Artist of the Month

AN INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR, WRITER: MEGHNA KAUSHIK Tell us about yourself, your background and what projects are you working on currently?

I am an Army kid who has moved too many schools to remember as my dad kept getting posted. So I have grown up in some very small cities across India.

While I loved the idea of going to a new city and experiencing a different /language and topography, I missed having a regular set of friends. So by default, I have become someone who makes friends easily and can conduct herself in a new city effortlessly. Also I am very grateful for the way my childhood turned out as it made me into a person who is unafraid and courageous. And I think that quality has helped me tremendously in my career choices too, as I refuse to be cast into a mould that the industry wants to choose for me.

As an independent young woman living away from home, I take pride in forming my own opinions about things and finding excitement in exploring many different yet creative opportunities that come my way, whether as an actor, writer, content creator, presenter or a fashionista. And it's truly fascinating for me to keep discovering my own capabilities and talent as I keep pushing myself towards new challenges every day. There are a lot of exciting projects lined up for me for next year, where I will be acting in a few while some others, I would be purely involved in as a writer. But besides that, I am grateful to be constantly involved with many brand collaborations & events that have helped me explore my creative side, and it only keeps getting more and more exciting.

What is your greatest strength as an actor?

I think it would be ease in me to switch from one mood to another or one look to another. I can be sad & scared in a moment, yet in the next, funny & cute.

And I have been often told by casting directors, that I don’t have a specific standard look which is great for me as I can be styled or moulded to look different characters easily.

But more than that, it is my deep-seated love for cinema which constantly keeps pushing me to be a better performer. I am avid watcher of content and spend too much time researching, learning and finding something new about my craft or how I could do it better. So that involves learning about editing, lighting, screen writing, styling, body movement work, voice work etc. As ac actor, I need to be able to support the entire team in delivering the director’s vision.

If you were given the opportunity to star in your favorite play, what role would you want to play?

That would be either be Noises off by Micheal Frayn, which is an epic comedy or a hard hitting Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Blanch Du Bois is one of the most interesting and performance oriented female parts that I have come across, which is complex and layered.

How would you describe your personality as an actress?

I would say I am an extremely positive and a hard-working person who would want to do everything in my power to give that perfect shot. I am someone who doesn’t take my work lightly at all because good opportunities are hard to come by, especially if you are not from the industry. And I definitely try and choose different kind of roles to be able to showcase my versatility. I want to work with the best in the business, not just in India but even internationally so I have set very high standards of work ethics for myself. No matter the challenge, I always have to deliver my best as a performer. No excuses there.

Which actresses do you admire and why?

I admire actresses for the roles that they would have done, but there isn’t just one. From Waheeda Rehman in Pyaasa, guide, Kaagaz ke phool, Sridevi in Chalbaaz & Lamhe, Madhubala in Mughal e Azam, Meena Kumari in Pakezah , Vidya Balan in Pareenita to Alia in Gangubai, I look up to the level of performance & style they bring to these films which is a great learning for me.

Designer Credits : Payal Singhal Photographer Credits : Ankit

"I have set very high standards of work ethics for myself. No matter the challenge, I always have to deliver my best as a performer. No excuses there. "

How has your experience in this industry been so far? Do you think the journey of a woman in the entertainment industry is different from that of a man?

Being an actor has been a learning curve for me since no one in my family was ever related to this field. There was so much I dint know about wanting to be an actor such as grooming oneself the right way (Ididn’t know a thing about makeup & hair when I started working), knowing the camera angels, how PR works, networking & hustling for work etc. I came from a background of theatre and then trained with Barry John sir and to me working to improve my craft has always been a priority. But there is frankly a lot more that an Indian actor has to do besides just act.

Every actor has to be multi-faceted to survive and shine today, and we switch roles from being an actor, to being our manager, sometimes even a CA, media manager, social media creator, influencer, and the list goes long ….hahahaha. But I think, I have done decently well to learn things quickly.

However, the journey has been a mixed bag as I have frequently been considered and then dropped from a big show or a film because I am not known enough or connected enough. However, things are changing quickly with the OTT boom and its only a matter of time that I find a role that will create the kind of breakthrough that I will be proud of. And I don’t think there is much difference whether you are a man or a woman in this business, but definitely more doors open for you if you come from a filmy family or connections. But having said that, there is still no guarantee of success. Its then either your destiny or your smart choices.

THE JANUARY ISSUE How do you manage a healthy lifestyle?

I have a fitness freak since I was in school. From playing basketball to swimming, horse riding and Tennis, I have always been very active. So till today, I am that person who needs to work out. But lately Yoga has become my go to fitness mantra, giving my great results both physically and mentally. It has changed the way I look at things, making me happier, calmer, fitter and definitely more flexible. Besides that, I always try and eat healthy with maybe one cheat meal a week. I love fruits and my greens as much as I love biryani & Pizzas. So for me, it really boils down to finding a balance.

By Sejal Aggarwal

The narrative has been destroyed. Who’s fault is it?

Maybe it was the “feminazis” or “social justice warriors” that took it too far. Or, maybe it was a smear campaign coming from anti-feminists. Probably both.

“Feminism” is something that needs to be explored and researched before criticized by the conservative and the self-proclaimed. The feminist community has been forced to wear a message that they never wrote. That is why it is essential that everyone knows what being a feminist entails-because you might actually be one.

Here is the dictionary definition of feminism: Noun. The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. A feminist believes that men and women should be treated equally.

Even though feminism is a construct of equality, it is predominantly women that overtake the community. In the United States, 60% of women consider themselves a feminist or a strong feminist. The other 40% of women are not a feminist, anti-feminist, or have no opinion. In the meantime, an astounding 50% of all men in America consider themselves not a feminist, anti-feminist, or have no opinion. Why are the majority of women in America feminists, but the majority of men aren’t?

"If you look at the statement alone and can agree with it, that each gender should be treated equally, then you are a feminist.”

MR. FASHION

Monthly Magazine

Many seem to think that feminism is a movement driven by anger and aggression. A true feminist would say that the movement is actually driven by emotion and determination.

Hatred is not something a feminist wants; hatred is not included in the definition.

Unfortunately, there are self-proclaimed “feminists” that feed the anger and aggression reputation by repeating certain statements that ultimately state that “men are awful”, and “women are the superior sex.” This type of behavior is a real feminist’s enemy. You are not a feminist if you believe that women are better than men. It is this type of rhetoric that gives feminism an ugly face.

There are also certain people that focus on the wrong type of issues; they make a large, toxic statement about things that other people often find annoying and highly offensive. Examples of this include: complaining about Santa Clause being a man, and only caring about white women’s rights while disregarding the rights of black women and other ethnicities, just to name a couple. Real feminism takes into account every woman of every ethnicity and takes more attention and time to serious issues; rape culture, treatment of women in third-world countries, government installments that limit a woman’s control over her body, and actions that further equality among every gender. This unnecessary, toxic breed of feminism is often deemed “white feminism” and is a parasite to feminism’s reputability. When one criticizes feminism, they are probably criticizing this particular breed.

They are not the only ones to blame. 7% of the United States considers itself “anti-feminist.” Almost 20% of the population doesn’t care. Notice that it is often the “anti-feminists” writing articles and creating ideas for the people who identify as “not a feminist” to see. This is what an anti-feminist believes: everything is fine. Everything was fine the way it was, actually, and women should’ve just stayed in the kitchen. As for the people that have no opinion, they are ultimately saying that they do not care about sexism towards both genders, that women were and are oppressed, nor that men and women are equal. This is either a classic case of ignorance and privilege, or they are highly uneducated.

Because of all of this, feminists are branded with a horrible reputation that simply isn’t fair. The term “feminazi” and other ones like it have become increasingly popular, and it’s absolutely astounding that one would compare a group fighting for equality to a group that contributed to the mass murder of millions of people. In the eyes of an anti-feminist, a “feminazi” represents the entire community; it defines feminists as evil, angry, over-the-top. Is it fair to, first of all, stereotype and misuse the concept of feminism? And second, compare its members to some of the cruelest people in history?

Again, feminists fight for equal opportunities, rights, pay, and expectations for all genders. Feminism was built on the construct of the main gender oppression, which is why it is a majority female space. Men would be just as adamant about gender equality if the roles were reversed.

Before criticizing, scrutinizing, and belittling a “feminist” and/or the concept of feminism, do your research. Find out what feminists actually care about, and it is likely that you will agree with a lot of concepts. What feminism really stands for is the part in the pledge of allegiance where we state, “equality for all.”

Editor’s Note: This article shall not disregard sexism towards men. Rape culture and toxic masculinity, to name a few, are serious issues that men should not have to endure. Feminism stands strongly for equality among ALL genders. This article is not meant to minimize sexism towards men, but rather bring forth awareness of it and remind us that feminism benefits everyone.

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FOOD BLOGGER DIKSHA GUPTA @NACHOKHAO

What is the story behind your blog's name, Nachokhao?

Did a lot of brainstorming to come up with a name which certainly can represent my both interests together and thats how came up with nachokhao which means eat and dance !

Are you doing food blogging professionally or just a hobby? if professionally what made you choose food blogging as your career option?

Currently it is my hobby or say more than that honestly nachokhao is like my baby since I have built it up over these 2 precious years but apart from this I work as Operation analyst in an MNC.

@NACHOKHAO

What would you say is the biggest challenge about food blogging?

Any ingredients you can’t stand? and Which one can’t you live without?

Food blogging certainly comes up with challenges one I would like to highlight is Huge competition and cracking deals with Brands .

I hate pineapple for sure however One thing I cant live without is Ginger Chai.

On what parameters you give your reviews opn a particular resturant?

Review In my case is always honest , i consider hygiene,food quality,taste and ambience as important factors interms of reviewing a place.

According to your opinion what is the quick technique or way for getting more fan following on Instagram?

Understanding your niche’s pulse and being on point with trends giving your own touch to it will land you with increased reach and more followers !

What’s the most adventurous dish you’ve ever eaten?

Fire Paan and Fanta maggi ( unfortunately) are my picks for this sort of an experience.

@MILLESIMAL_OFFICIAL