Thalaivan Thalaivii actor Nithya Menen: No recognition can change the craft | EXCLUSIVE

Actor Nithya Menen, whose next release is Tamil film Thalaivan Thalaivii, talks about her craft, working style, what her roles mean to her and more

Nithya Menen interview

Actor Nithya Menen, a prominent face in Tamil cinema, has performed roles that are relatable and real. With a sense of originality evidently drawn from her performances, be it in films like Thiruchitrambalam or Kadhalikka Neramillai. But that doesn’t limit her from trying out of the box stories like Skylab and commercial outings like in Mersal, 24, and Bheemla Nayak. As the actor will be next seen in Tamil film Thalaivan Thalaivii co-starring Vijay Sethupathi and directed by Pandiraaj, Nithya Menen speaks to OTTplay about the film and more.

Nithya Menen Interview

1. No actor would perform a role anticipating an award, but how do you think the recognition changes their craft, or does it?

No recognition can change the craft. I don’t think the craft can change with such things. Recognition may change things externally, or may change things in a more soulful level, but the craft as such not change. It is simply what it is.

2. Is there an additional responsibility that comes to artistes after they get a recognition/fame/acclaim?

I cannot speak for artistes in general but for me that was not the experience that I had. This is a question that is strangely always asked, about the fear and responsibilities. Something like this kind of recognition should do the opposite, it should make you feel lighter, easier and happier. Definitely that has been my experience.

3. Essentially chemistry and camaraderie come to play when its rom-coms, and emotional films. Having worked with VJS in 19 1a, did it help for Thalaivan Thalaivii?

In 191a, we did not have many scenes together and our characters meet in only one scene. I don’t think working in many films will change how chemistry works. Because there are lot of films in which you work with someone for the first time and it is still great. Chemistry does not work by knowing someone. A lot of times I don’t think there is anything personal at all about chemistry. The writing makes a big difference to how chemistry work, and the actors on how they perform, so it doesn’t matter who the person is opposite to you. If you perform in a certain way, the chemistry happens.

Also read: Thalaivan Thalaivii 2025: Release date, cast, crew, trailer, plot and everything you need to know about Nithya Menen and Vijay Sethupathi’s new movie

4. What according to Nithya Menen is acting. Does it mean a reflection of characters in society and relatable or showing something that has been under represented so far?

If these two are the options, it can be both or anything. You cannot choose one over the other because that would be very limiting to what an actor can do. There are a lot of characters that are written are very relatable where people can see themselves. There are a lot of stories written on underrepresented people. I don’t know if there can be just one choice.

5. Thalaivan Thalaivii talks about two people in a marriage that seems to be dysfunctional. What was the idea that you went with portraying Perarasi, a woman who seemingly is in the marriage still?

With Thalaivan Thalaivii, I did not go in with any kind of idea or something. I heard the whole story and the gist of what it was. I completely leaned on the director, his clarity and vision on how this person is going to be. I do perform from a space of my own, but the nuances and characteristics, like how she talks or acts, I would watch how Pandiraaj sir speaks. These are the characters that are familiar to him, and he is writing something he has seen. So, I would always ask him to say the line, or observe him a lot. That made me little closer to the character and the way she carries herself. It gave me a little more confidence like her without overthinking it.

6. When you select a film, do you read your part only or is it the whole always? What is the no-nos for you?

When I select a film, I hear and read the whole thing, and that is definitely something I tell to people narrating to me that I want to hear the whole story. It is never going to work out unless I do that. Because you can never judge a film fully unless you hear the whole thing. The way I make my choices, is in terms how well will the project is and will be made. You cannot do that by just looking at your own character only. Even if you are looking into your role, how you are going to play, you need to know the context to the story.

What is a no-no are the sensibilities which may not work for me. Anything that is just there for commercial purpose and bring in an audience, titillate people, to make something work, that doesn’t work for me at all.

7. Having worked for nearly 2 decades now and earned a name for yourself, what is the experimentation and looking forwards that propel Nithya to do what she is doing?

I don’t think I would say working for two decades. Post my college is when I would say I started to act continuously. But it is not about experimentation but find things that work better for me. What I look forward to is to be happier doing what I am doing, to work with right people, have the same mindset and sensibilities. Working with better human beings is something that I look forward too.

8. How much of an input Nithya brings as an actor to a role. Can you give an example with Thalaivan Thalaivii?

How much input is not easy to tell because it differs from film to film and situations. It is not something to quantify and talk about. Thalaivan Thalaivii is a very… we shot for something for 40-50 days. Everything happens in the present moment, there are discussions. That are not something I can answer very easily or condensed.

9. If you were to use one word for your character in Idly Kadai what would they be?

Simple but spunky.

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