Meghana Raj : recently received the Karnataka State Award for Best Actress for her remarkable performance in the Kannada film Iruvudellava Bittu. This achievement is not just a professional victory, but also an emotional chapter in her life, as it fulfills a prediction made by her late husband, actor Chiranjeevi Sarja.
Back in 2017, Meghana had signed three Kannada films. Among them was a big-budget multi-starrer, and another was Iruvudellava Bittu, directed by a newcomer, where she was offered the role of a young mother.
Like many leading actresses, she feared being “typecast” too early, especially when she was preparing for her engagement and marriage the following year.
In a turning point conversation, Chiranjeevi calmly asked her two questions:
“Who is the lead in the big-budget film?”
“And who is the real lead in Iruvudellava Bittu?”
When Meghana replied, he simply smiled and reminded her:
“YOU are the lead in this film. It’s your story. Trust your talent — everything else will follow.”
That confidence became her strength.
Chiranjeevi rarely visited her film sets, but he made an exception for this movie.
After watching her perform an important scene, he looked at her and said:
“You will win the State Award for this, Kuttimma.”
And years later, his words became reality.
When Meghana went to receive the award, she wore her muhurtham saree, the one that connected her deeply with Chiranjeevi. For her, it was not just an outfit — it was a way of taking him along to the stage, as he always believed in her success.
Meghana also thanked her director, co-actors, music director, and everyone who shaped the film.
Most importantly, she expressed love for her audience who watched the movie “multiple times, just for her.”
