Nithya Menen is known for picking versatile roles. After cementing her position as the most sought-after actor to play performance-oriented roles on the big screen, Nithya is now testing the waters in the OTT space. In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, Nithya discusses her upcoming projects.
Q. Why did you say yes to a web series like Kumari Srimathi?
Ans.I thought it was a very cute and interesting series to do. There was no reason to say no to something like that.I was also impressed with Gomtesh, the director because I had seen this song that he had directed. It was a very cute song that they had shot. So, I thought it would be very interesting to work with somebody with a very different style of storytelling. I like experimenting with films and projects. The opportunity to work with different kinds of people and of course, the uniqueness of the story itself made me say yes. I have never seen on an OTT platform something like this. Asmall-town story shot in this way made me think it will be a very new and fresh treatment.
Q. So what aspects of the plot appeal to you when evaluating a story/project? Are there certain aspects that you could relate to in the series?
Ans. The Journey of a girl from a small town who is doing something unusual for that place was very cool for me. Her character is of someone who is out of the box even though she may dress conservatively. I could play someone who's very unconservative in her head because obviously she does not care about these things, so, that that aspect was very interesting for me.
Q.Usually what are the parameters you consider while picking the roles and scripts?
Ans. The people that I am working with is the first thing that I consider. I need to make sure that I will be happy around these people because we have to be there for a long time with each other. So, I make sure that they are good people and that I have fun with them. The second thing that I see is if the story has some substance and it is not a fake story just made up for the sake of making a film/series.
How different it is shooting for a movie versus web series?
Ans. There is no difference at all. There could be some minor things like in “Breathe: Into the Shadows” my character Abha Sabharwal could speak in English if I wanted to, but otherwise, the process itself remains the same. There is not much of a difference.
Do you watch any web series or other shows to unwind? Which is your favorite show?
Ans. I do not actually watch a lot of shows/web series but I do watch some shows. I watch foreign content more, mostly English shows.
What do you think of women getting into a bar business in real life on the lines of Kumari Shrimathi?
Ans.Oh My God! No, I would personally not promote drinking in any way.But I would say that women getting into any business in real life should be fine with everybody.If men can get into it, it should be fine that women can also get into it. I think it should be the same for everyone irrespective of their gender. There should not be a discrimination.
The representation of women in movies has been changing over the years.Do you think it is a change for the better?
Ans. I do not see anything like that. I see that there has always been certain kind of films that were made, there has always been certain other kind of films that were made. This has always been there but I do not know why people find it difficult to notice this“Duality.”But it is the truth. At one point we had directors like Satyajit Ray making films with an actress in the lead role. We had Balu Mahendra and so many amazing directors in all languages who were doing good films. There are also “Massy” films around the same time. I really do not know if it is changing. What really is changing is that our society is changing. And maybe our movies are mirroring a little bit of what is happening in the society.
You have worked with several stars in south cinema. Who do you find easiest to work with?
Ans. I really enjoyed working with Surya sir. He was one of the easiest people to work with.
You always stuck to performance-oriented roles leading to the perception you are not interested in doing glamorous roles.
Ans. I have done too many cameos and too many character roles. I think this is what I get criticized for that I did not do as many central characters/heroine roles. But it always depends on the eye of the beholder. I think everybody sees through their perspective. I do all kinds of roles. When you are talking about Glam that is a very different kind of Cinema altogether and I do not do that genre itself.
Q. Is it a conscious decision to not do such roles?
Ans. Yeah, it is my preference.
What next after Kumari Shrimati?
Ans. I have a Malayalam web series lined up for release, called “Masterpiece” and right now I am shooting for a Hindi project. I have two Tamil films of which one is started one is with Krithik and Jayam Ravi will be opposite to me and another Tamil project which is about to start next year. So, yes, some fun stuff is coming up.
