Meghana Raj debuted as a theatre artist, when she was a child, acting alongside her father Sunder Raj in the play Jokumaraswamy. During the audio launch function of the Tamil film Poi in February 2006, she was invited by its director K. Balachander to pursue an acting career, starring in one of his forthcoming films. Accepting his offer, she was given the lead female role in the Tamil film Krishnaleelai, a Balachander production, directed by Selvan.[citation needed] However, despite continuing shooting throughout 2008, which was completed in early 2009, the film got stuck in production hell, and its release got delayed for various reasons.
Even before the release of that film, she commenced shooting for a Telugu film Bendu Apparao R.M.P, which would eventually be her first feature film release. She played the character of a school teacher in the comedy entertainer, starring Allari Naresh and Kamna Jethmalani as well, which released in October 2009 and went on to become highly successful at the box office.[6] She debuted in the Kannada films by enacting the female lead role in Punda, a remake of the 2007 Tamil film Polladhavan.[5] Meghana's next release was her debut Tamil film, the Boopathy Pandian-directed Kaadhal Solla Vandhen, while she also signed up her first Malayalam project, the horror film Yakshiyum Njanum under Vinayan's direction, which was released in August 2010.[7] Although the film was just an average grosser, its glamorous and sensual songs on Meghana was a hit among the youth and made her an instant favorite among the youth. During that time she also acted in two more projects, Nanda Nanditha, which is a remake of the 2008 Kannada film Nanda Loves Nanditha and the Tamil film Kalla Siripazhaga.
2011–13: Beautiful and commercial success
Meghana starred in the Malayalam film Beautiful which was released in December. The film was a success both commercially and critically, with critics regarding it as one of the best Malayalam movies of 2011.[8] Meghana's portrayal of Anjali, a home nurse in the film won her very good reviews. Since getting noticed with Beautiful, Meghana got a lot of Malayalam films offers[9] and was briefly the most sought out actress in Malayalam.[9]
It was during this time when Meghana started to undergo a total physique revamp by going through a strict diet and exercise regime.[10]
2013–15: Second wind in Sandalwood and continuing success
Meghana Raj returned to Kannada films in late 2013 with the film Raja Huli, followed by Bahuparak; her performances in both films were well appreciated.[11] Meghana's next Kannada movie Aatagara was released in late August 2015 to both critical and commercial acclaim[citation needed]. Her next film was Vamshodharaka.
2016 onwards
Raj at the presentation of the film ‘Allama’, during the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016), in Panaji, Goa on 26 November 2016, along with the cast of the film
After a 10-year relationship with fellow Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja, Meghana got engaged to him on 22 October 2017.[13] They got married on 2 May 2018.[14] Sarja died on 7 June 2020 from cardiac arrest when Meghana was expecting their first child.[15][16] Their son Raayan Raj Sarja was born on 22 October 2020.[17][18][19]
2019: Nominated – Filmibeat Award for Best Actress – Kannada – Iruvudellava Bittu
Public image
Meghana's official Facebook page has received more than 2.5 million likes.[24][non-primary source needed] She was ranked No.19 in the Kochi Times 'Most desirable Woman 2015' poll.[25] Meghana Raj was also ranked No.10 in the Bangalore Times 'Most desirable Women 2015' poll.[26]
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