The acclaimed and versatile actor Nithya Menen has once again demonstrated her exceptional talent, adding yet another prestigious accolade to her already impressive list of achievements. Recently, Menen received the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the highly praised film *Thiruchitrambalam*. Sharing this esteemed honor with Manasi Parekh, who was recognized for her performance in *Kutch Express*, Nithya reflected on her journey and the immense joy that comes with this recognition.
“I think I was in a bit of disbelief when I heard the news,” Nithya shared candidly when asked about her reaction to winning the award. She recounted a memorable moment, explaining, “I was at home in the middle of something, about to have lunch when my co-star Dhanush from *Thiruchitrambalam* called and congratulated me. My immediate response was ‘For what?’” she said, laughing. “And that’s when he said, ‘What do you mean? You’ve got the National Award!’ I thought he was joking. It was definitely unexpected.”
Known for her work across various Indian film industries, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, Nithya has always been selective about her roles, favoring scripts that resonate with positivity and joy. “I have never chosen roles with the expectation of winning awards,” she stated. This approach is evident in the myriad of characters she has brought to life, including her endearing portrayal of Shobana in *Thiruchitrambalam* and other notable roles such as in *Mersal* and *O Kadhal Kanmani*.
“My drive has always been to choose exciting films,” Nithya explained. “I want to leave the world a better place than it was when I came in. I wouldn’t say I like doing morose themes or exhibiting negative emotions. My intention has always been to do roles that make people happy, and I feel it’s much nobler to do that.”
Winning a coveted award for a romantic comedy-drama especially thrilled the actor. “Any work done for a film, even if the genre is light, deserves credit and recognition. Every film doesn’t have to be a *Revenant* to be good,” Nithya asserted.
. She addressed the ongoing social media debates questioning her affinity for lighter genres. “People argue that I fit better in lighter films, but this is simply a choice. Can I do other roles? Of course, I can. But I just don’t want to.”
Nithya emphasized that acting in joyful roles is what makes her happy. “Being given this validation for a film like *Thiruchitrambalam* is a huge honor for me, and I’m grateful to the jury for their subtle eye in recognizing it even though the genre is lighter.”
When probed about her celebration plans, Nithya laughed and admitted she’s not one to host grand celebrations. “I don’t know if it’s good or bad that I don’t celebrate anything. I’ll probably treat myself to a film,” she joked. Currently immersed in the development of her next film, she stressed the importance of staying present and diligent in her work. “You need to do the work to get the awards, right?”
Nithya’s recent triumph comes on the heels of her last Tamil appearance in the very film that garnered her the National Award. Looking forward, she is involved in several exciting projects, including *Kadhalikka Neramillai* with Jayam Ravi and director Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, and *Dear Exes* with debutant director Kamini, co-starring Vinay Rai, Navdeep, Prateik Babbar, and Deepak Parambol.
Furthermore, Nithya revealed an intriguing collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi in a project that promises to break genre conventions. Reflecting on their previous collaboration in the Malayalam film *19(1)(a)*, she expressed her excitement, “Since our Malayalam film, we’ve gotten along so well and wanted to do another film. This upcoming Tamil film promises to be a refreshing experience for us all.”
As Nithya Menen continues to charm audiences and critics alike with her vibrant performances, her latest achievement stands as a testament to her dedication to roles that spread joy and positivity. Her sincere and heartfelt approach to her craft ensures that she remains a cherished figure in Indian cinema, making her mark one uplifting story at a time.
