Actor Meenakshi Jayan has always dreamt of walking up to an international stage, but her imagination often ended with the stairs breaking under her feet. Today, that fear has turned into triumph as she clinched the Best Actress Award (Asia New Talent) at the Shanghai International Film Festival 2025 for her powerful performance in Victoria — a film directed by Sivaranjani J that explores identity, resistance, and the quiet rebellion of a beautician from Angamaly.
“I can now place myself on big stages,” says Meenakshi from Shanghai, her voice filled with a newfound confidence.
In Victoria, Meenakshi plays a Catholic woman planning to elope with her Hindu boyfriend, all while being unexpectedly burdened with taking care of a rooster in her all-women beauty parlour. The film dissects themes of control, freedom, and faith — with the rooster becoming a silent metaphor of her own entrapment.
Her performance, both grounded and daring, is a tribute “to all women who were told they were too much.” Her acceptance speech at Shanghai summed it up: “I am going to be too much today.”
The path to Victoria was laced with serendipity. A casting call led her to Angamaly where, sweaty and uncertain, she met the director for the first time at the KSRTC bus stand. She had spent the day observing locals to perfect the dialect — talking to butchers, shopkeepers, and even a beautician named Meenu, just like her character.
For authenticity, Meenakshi trained at a beauty parlour for a month — learning everything from pedicures to threading, taking notes from Neethu chechi and Victoria, the real-life staff who inspired the onscreen world.
The rooster, Parthan, added his own flavor. “He was a fun co-star — no direction needed,” Meenakshi laughs.
Since its premiere at the 29th IFFK, Victoria has earned accolades including the FIPRESCI award and screenings in Mumbai, Delhi, and now internationally.
“My first flight, my passport, my first international stage — all because of Victoria,” she says.
As she awaits the OTT release of her next web series, Meenakshi hopes Victoria will get a commercial release too. “I’ll always crave roles like this. We need more character-driven films for women. How long can we be just girlfriends or mothers on screen?” she asks.
Her final thought: “This time, the stage didn’t crash. I stood tall. And I’ll keep walking.”
