Lady in red: Inside the world of the lady behind Golden Globe 2018, Meher Tatna

Not many in India had heard of Meher Tatna before the 75th edition of the Golden Globe Awards. This, despite her being the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the US-based non-profit body of 93 film journalists and photographers that organises the Globes, and has till date raised $27.9 million to fund almost 59 entertainment-related charities, scholarships and film restoration. Only when she wore a red Anamika Khanna creation – bucking the Globe's black dress code (followed by every star present in that Beverly Hilton Ballroom, barring two others) maintained in solidarity with the Time's Up movement against sexual harassment – that she became controversy's favourite child, overnight. All because Tatna chose not to 'appal' her mother by wearing what Indians consider an inauspicious colour to a celebration.

"I thought there would be others wearing colours..." said Tatna over the phone from her South Mumbai residence in January, when she was on her biannual trip to meet family in India. Though she announced HFPA's $2 million grant to two entities who promote freedom of press with elan, Tatna was fraught with concern. "What if the teleprompter screws up, like it did with Jimmy Fallon last year? Will I embarrass myself in front of millions watching the show?" she'd agonise. Luckily, even the weather cooperated. "We had a beautiful, sunny day. The day after, it started pouring."

As a student at Mumbai's JB Petit High School for Girls and St Xavier's College, Tatna actively took part in plays and elocution. She left India at 20 to pursue a degree in the subject from Brandeis University, Massachusetts.

Then, instead of heading back home, she enrolled at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue her acting aspirations. "I liked living on my own, determining my own life. There were challenges, but also a supportive network of friends." Her career never took off as the roles that came by stereotyped Indians in America — who were still a minority in the 80s — as "7 -Eleven convenience store clerks or cab drivers". An undeterred Tatna reprogrammed her goals and gained a toehold in Hollywood as a showbiz scribe. She joined HFPA in 2002, and went on to serve in multiple capacities before becoming the President. Also making her privy to the Hollywood gloss is her role as a film journalist with Singapore daily, The New Paper. After rubbing shoulders with A-listers over the years, she's grown find of a few – "John Travolta is very sweet and gentle. Tom Hanks is sharp, funny and always lights up a room. George Clooney is witty, replies more than a 'yes' or 'no' unlike the younger stars who are more guarded. Susan Sarandon is quite outspoken about her politics, and so is Meryl Streep. It's always fascinating to know about the way she works".

If host Seth Meyers opened the 2018 Globes with "Good evening, ladies and remaining gentlemen", and the likes of Natalie Portman and Oprah Winfrey continued the #MeToo dialogue in their announcements and acceptance speeches – the 2017 show took a dig at Trump. Such venting on the political grouse of the season is possible because of the HFPA, says Tatna, who "never attempts to censor opinions."

The HFPA journalists now make it a point to prod film personalities at press conferences about the movement that continues to take apart families and careers in Hollywood. "I touch upon the subject in all my articles," says Tatna, who relates with the movement for reasons universal and personal. Her memory of a part-time waitressing gig during her drama school years is replete with experiences of bottom pinching and groping. "It was thought that you'd lose your job if you reported that your boss tried to forcibly kiss you. It came from the sense of knowing that you are not considered an equal because you are a woman." It's this attitude that has plagued long-standing issues of gender pay-gap and non-existing roles for actresses over 40.

While Tatna has a comment on every issue, she stays guarded about her personal life. She won't reveal her age. Nor will she speak about the painful loss of her brother-in-law in the 2008 terror attacks, seemingly a fresh wound after all these years. Does she miss India? "I'm sorry, but no. I only miss my family and friends."