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NDTV Exclusive: Meher Vij Says She “Can’t Relate” To Her Role In Secret Superstar: “I Cannot Take My Husband Hitting Me”

Meher Vij won several awards for her role in the 2017 film Secret Superstar. The film stars Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan and Raj Arjun in key roles. In an interview with NDTV’s Hardika Gupta, the actress revealed that she cannot relate to her character in Secret Superstar. “I cannot relate to Secret Superstar. I’m not that person. I won’t take up anyone’s domination,” she explained. “I think that’s one of the problems when you are an opinionated woman, people might not like you that much, but that’s okay. I’m not here to make people like me. They should like my work. I don’t think I can take anyone’s beating. I cannot take my husband hitting me. I cannot take someone’s domination over me,” she added.

Opening up about her dream role, Meher Vij said, “I would love to do more action. I want to see myself as a hero. I want to be the hero; I don’t want to be a heroine anymore. I’m the power. I have the power. I would love to work with the Khans if they’ll give me good characters, but they have to give me something.”

Secret Superstar follows the coming-of-age story of a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a singer. She uploads videos on YouTube while disguising her identity with a niqab, navigating her relationships with her mother, father, and mentor. It addresses social issues such as feminism, gender equality and domestic violence.

Secret Superstar became one of the most profitable films in history, grossing Rs 9.05 billion ($154 million) worldwide on a limited budget of Rs 150 million ($2.3 million). The film is the highest-grossing Indian film featuring a female protagonist, the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2017, the ninth highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, the sixth highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the second highest-grossing Indian film overseas. In China, it ranks as the fifth highest-grossing foreign film of 2018 and the second highest-grossing non-English foreign film ever, following Dangal.

Sharing details about her next project, Meher told NDTV, “I’m producing a film. It’s a spy thriller, and I’ll be starting the shoot next year. We are shooting in London. It’s a very mysterious and cryptic script. It’s a very interesting story, and I have to start training for it starting next month.”

On the work front, Meher Vij was last seen in Bandaa Singh Chaudhary, co-starring Arshad Warsi. She is best known for her roles in the drama films Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Secret Superstar (2017), both of which are among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. For her performance in Secret Superstar, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. In addition to films, she has appeared in television shows such as Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and Ram Milaye Jodi.