Meher Vij: Better casting can help break stereotype of an actor

Actress Meher Vij, who plays a secret agent in the web series "Special Ops", says that better casting and unusual characters are the only things that can help her to prove her versatility and break stereotypes that she has been facing since the success of the 2017 blockbuster, "Secret Superstar". Meher's role as a mother of two in the film was acclaimed but she claims that she started receiving similar scripts after "Secret Superstar", which made her stay away from signing new projects.

"I think this is the time when we female actors are not only experimenting with the ‘image' of an actress but are also not afraid to play any age. Look at how Taapsee (Pannu) is playing different characters in her films. I remember when I played a mother in ‘Secret Superstar' many people told me that playing mother at a young age would typecast me, because actress ki career span kam hoti hai (and actress has a short career span). But when I read the script, I was crying! How could I let go of such a meaty character just because it is of a mother," Meher told IANS.

Starting her career in 2003 with a role in Anurag Basu's supernatural drama "Saaya", Meher gained visibility in the 2015 Salman Khan-starrer "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", where she essayed the role of a Pakistani mother of a mute girl.

"I was offered several similar roles. I think in the industry, people who typecast actors are the people who need to evolve creatively. One has to up their imagination to see an actor's ability to perform. If we are not given an opportunity, where will we establish our versatility? That way I am glad that I got a chance to play a very different role in the web show ‘Special Ops'," said the actress.

"Special Ops" is co-directed by Neeraj Pandey. The series Kay Kay Menon and also features Karan Tacker, Sana Khan, Saiyami Kher, Vipul Gupta and Vinay Pathak, apart from Meher.

Why has her visibility in films and Tv been so low so far? "I have been acting for quite some time but after the demise of my mother, I lost my focus. I was emotionally disturbed so for some time. I did not know if I wanted to continue acting. However, the good thing is now I am focused again and I know what I want in my career," said Meher, who has appeared in Bollywood films like "Lucky: No Time For Love" and "Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar", besides TV serials such as "Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil", "Ram Milaye Jodi" and "Yeh Hai Aashiqui". IANS