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I am not an actress who only wants to do lead roles.
Nithya Menen
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.
I think they call every actress 'bubbly' most of the time!
Initially, I was a bit hesitant to do the role in 'MTP', as it was a very serious and aching subject.
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.
As an actress, I should be able to do all types of roles.
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 was honoured to work with Amol Gupte. He is a brilliant person.
I'll never forget the dance number that I shot with Anushka. The choreography involved a lot of intricate dance moves. I'm at least 7 inches shorter than Anushka, so I had to wear the highest heels I've ever worn in my life; throughout the song, I even injured my knee a couple of times.
I studied journalism, though I never really became a scribe.
'180' is a romantic film, but I don't think it can be classified as a fluffy love story. It is a wonderful story with a script that is layered and more complex than the normal ones.
At one point, I wanted to be a wildlife photographer. I also love to travel, so maybe I'd do travel writing.
As long as I know what I'm playing, I shouldn't concern myself with others' footage.
Nobody goes to college and learns anything.
As an actor, it's really exciting and challenging to play a character which is much older than your actual age.
I don't like the idea of being connected to the world all the time. One should have space and time for oneself.
I've no apprehensions and inhibitions as an actor.
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.
Even though my family was accepting of an unusual career, cinema, my journey in it has still been a tough one.
I love being part of this industry, but at the end of the day, it is a job, and I like to have a life beyond films.
I am not bothered about if my role in a film is small or big. Because if the character I am offered is sensible, I would do it even if it is small.
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.
We should be actors rather than trying to be a lead; it will create a healthier atmosphere.
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 think acting is my destiny. I did my first film when I was just eight. However, I never took that role seriously.
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.
For me, a story has to have characters, and my role should be meaningful. At the end of the day, people should say that they like my performance.
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.
I've been blissfully ignorant about the result of my films and don't get swayed by success or failure.
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.
I don't prepare for any role. I go on the sets and do it.
My cinema is of a different kind: give me a good meaty role instead of two or three songs and running around in foreign locations wearing itsy-bitsy costumes. I'm clear and focussed about my priorities.
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.
Working with a good artiste is always a pleasure. If you get a reaction from your co-star, then you get the space to perform well.
I'm not really interested in doing a Bollywood film.
Acting was not on my agenda. It just happened by chance. I always wanted to be involved in wildlife protection or maybe surrounded by kids. I love animals and children.
I'm really fond of P. C. Sreeram, and we got along quite well on the sets of 'Ishq.'
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 wanted to do journalism, as I was an idealist. Then, in my second year of journalism, I realized that in real life, things don't work the way you expect them to. I realized that I could express my ideas better through films.
I must tell you that Telugu film industry is one of the most comfortable places I found a woman can be. They do make a lot of mass films, but from my experience as an actor, I can tell you that people are very nice and welcoming. In fact, it's slightly more difficult in other places.
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!
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.
I've always looked forward to do something different in all my films.
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've been working in three-four languages. I'm happy to do it.
I'm not insecure. Give me a good role, and I'll perform even for a multi-starrer with half a dozen other heroines!
I don't think I need to do a big-ticket film to be considered a big actress.
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.
If something has not been part of your dreams or ambitions, then you are not awestruck by it.
It doesn't feel great to be compared to Genelia or anyone. I don't want to be compared, and I would like to think I am different.
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