I've been working in three-four languages. I'm happy to do it.
— Nithya Menen
It's not in every film that you connect to the role.
As an actor, it's really exciting and challenging to play a character which is much older than your actual age.
After I did 'Ala Modalaindi,' I wanted to prove that a girl can also carry a film on her own.
I'm serious, in general, and I guess I cling onto the little freedom I have offscreen. Having said that, I am funny and, at the same time, detached from a lot of things in life.
I'm often asked how I portray the roles I play so convincingly and express so much through my eyes. Quite frankly, I don't know how to explain that. I guess it's about who I'm as a person; I radiate it through my eyes.
I'm not really interested in doing a Bollywood film.
Even though my family was accepting of an unusual career, cinema, my journey in it has still been a tough one.
I have met fantastic men in my life and horrible women. I have also met some amazing women and terrible men. I have seen women who are sexists.
At one point, I wanted to be a wildlife photographer. I also love to travel, so maybe I'd do travel writing.
I fell in love at 18 when I was in college, and that's probably why I know what it's like to be in love, and I can express it in a better way.
I don't prepare for any role. I go on the sets and do it.
Being an actress does not mean that each thing that happens in my life has to be news or meant to be shared with others. Acting is a profession, and once I leave the sets, I want to be left alone.
The Malayalam audience knows me as an art film actress, and I am fine with that because I know that such films come from the heart. It's difficult to do them, but the satisfaction you get is immense.
Journalism is not what it used to be. I thought it was an important job, but it is not. I'm idealistic, and it pretty much upsets me that negativity sells and that even if I wanted to tell the truth, I wouldn't be able to if my boss does not okay it.
I am not intellectually choosy. My choice of films reflect who I am, but it is not done with strategy and planning. I hear something and go by my intuition.
After I finished my degree in Mass Communication in Manipal, I enrolled for a cinematography course in Pune Film Institute. That is when Nandini Reddy, the director of 'Ala Modalaindi,' convinced me to act.
Having a good actor as co-star is always a pleasure, as it gives you space to perform. It's nice to work with nice actors.
I'm really fond of P. C. Sreeram, and we got along quite well on the sets of 'Ishq.'
I felt very comfortable working with Jr. NTR. We immediately broke the ice almost the first day. I always found him very down to earth.
I think they call every actress 'bubbly' most of the time!
I've been blissfully ignorant about the result of my films and don't get swayed by success or failure.
Nobody goes to college and learns anything.
I don't sing professionally; I sing because people who make my films want me to sing. So, as long as they want me to croon in the film, I will sing.
Your heart and your instincts are far more reliable than your brain. When you follow your heart, you can be sure you won't regret it later. Even if you calculate your every move, it's not like life ever goes according to plan.
I don't see gender when I look at the world.
I was eight years old when I was offered a film. And before I knew it, I was acting in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu movies.
When they say 'action,' I am into it completely and forget everything around. When they say 'cut,' I am back to myself.
When I first heard the 'Urumi' script, I was surprised, shocked, and excited. It was a strong script with a reference to the past. It had fact mixed with fiction. To incorporate facts into a film and introduce fictional characters was interesting. I loved the script.
I don't belong to any social network, and I don't even message much. In fact, most of the time, I don't even use my mobile phone.
All these years, I have handpicked my films. It was passion and love for the art that made me do films.
I don't like this concept of second role, small role. It is a story, at the end of the day. If I am suitable for a character, I am glad to reflect that through my choice of films.
We should be actors rather than trying to be a lead; it will create a healthier atmosphere.
I will not accept a role just because a big hero stars in it. I am not here to merely dance, run around trees, and be a glam doll.
As long as I know what I'm playing, I shouldn't concern myself with others' footage.
I've always looked forward to do something different in all my films.
I don't think I need to do a big-ticket film to be considered a big actress.
My part as an actor ends on the last working day. I think the success or failure only really matters to the producer or whoever it matters to. For me, when I finish the film, I'm done, and if I'm happy, that's that.
I draw inspiration from everything I've seen and been through. My life has been my biggest teacher.
All of us just go to college and waste our time and to pass our exams. So just learning journalism does not mean I'm good at it or any of the journalists are, either. There is no difference; it's just class, and it's just college.
The second you become an actress, people take the licence to make many assumptions about you. You're in trouble if you interact with a director/actor. You're in even more trouble if you don't. When I started out, a single YouTube comment would make me sad for days, and I'd wonder how people could say such nasty things about me.
Had acting not taken off, I would've been glad to become a teacher.
People in Andhra Pradesh treat me like a girl next door after 'Ala Modalaindi.' I feel at home here.
I studied journalism and was idealistic as a student. In course of time, I learnt that there's a lot of politics, and it's not easy to put forth your point of view as an investigative journalist.
I was honoured to work with Amol Gupte. He is a brilliant person.
I try to choose characters that are very different; I think I have succeeded in that. A big role or a small one does not bother me at all. What matters is that I should have a rapport with the director.
I don't like the idea of being connected to the world all the time. One should have space and time for oneself.
Films were always there at the back of my mind. I would try to move away, but films kept coming to me. I would do movies for friends. I guess some things are meant to be!
For me, it is not about being a part of a hit or a flop. Films are about friends, learning, and experiences. Certain films give me happiness.
I don't enjoy public attention. I don't like being recognised, being clicked, or being written about. But then it is destiny. I am just going with the flow.
