Nithya Menen on breaking stereotypes with her National Award: 'You don't have to always do 'The Revenant' for an Oscar, what about a 'Little Miss Sunshine?' - Exclusive VIDEO

Nithya Menen recently won a National Award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Thiruchitrambalan’ which sees her along with Dhanush. While the actress is elated, many were also surprised as this was a light-hearted film and character. But for Nithya, that’s why this award feels so special. Because it broke many stereotypes. The actress opened up about it in a tell-it-all chat with ETimes.
She says, “When I got the award, I happened to meet some members from the jury and they were from different parts of the country.I felt that I was being awarded for everything that I’ve done so far and not just one film. It was given to the artist in me.”
Talking about her character which looked effortless, Nithya adds, “I remember Dhanush telling me this, he said, ‘it’s not easy. Just because you make it look easy, it doesn’t mean it’s easy.’ He said that let’s see if someone else can pull off the role the way you have. I’m different from Shobhana and to translate exactly what the writer, director has written on paper, that’s acting.”
Hence the actress is so happy about breaking the stereotype. “Even with Oscars, you don’t have to always do ‘The Revenant‘ but what about a ‘Little Miss Sunshine‘. It got an Oscar but films like that should also be recognised. A friend of mine recent told me, why can’t art be happy. I am happy that I’ve broken that stereotype,” she says.

There’s also been a notion that awards like these are for really intense acting and movies. However, she has a different opinion on it. “Gross emotions are easy to portray – screaming, shouting, crying, I can do that. But I find much more beauty in subtlety and emotions that are subtle. But without moving my face, if I can convey to you three different things, then that’s a good performance. That for me is beautiful. It’s not for the film that the award is given. It’s not a big costume drama with big production values or has huge sets. It’s purely for the acting,” said the actress.
Nithya confessed she’s always taken a difficult route hence, an award like this, feels like a validation. “When I got it, I felt that I always took a very different route to a goal. I took a more difficult route than others. Even though I couldn’t been the number one, but I chose to do certain movies. You don’t get quick name and fame with this kind of route but this national award was a personal validation for that I’ve done something right. It’s not easy to stand by those choices always. I always had a compass and never at any point, did that compass waver. I chose every single film like that. They happened to be varied films, art films, commercial films but the compass was always there. It was a journey that not everyone can say to have taken. To be recognised after that feels calming.”

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