Meenakshi made her film debut in "Painter Babu" (1983) and received wider public recognition with the film "Hero" (1983). She became one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses in the 1980s and 1990s, and was acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing. She was noted for her performances in films including "Hero" (1983) "Meri Jung" (1985), "Swati" (1986), "Dacait" (1987), "Inaam Dus Hazaar" (1987), "Shahenshah" (1988), "Mahaadev" (1989), "Awaargi" (1990), "Jurm" (1990), "Ghayal" (1990), "Ghar Ho To Aisa" (1990), "Damini" (1993), "Duet" (1994) and "" (1996). She received particular critical acclaim for "Swati" (1986), "Dahleez" (1986), "Satyamev Jayate" (1987), "Awaargi" (1990), and "Damini" (1993). She also performed at the Khajuraho Dance Festival in the 1990s.