Who Is Nithya Menen? 5 Must-Watch Films of the National Award-Winning Actor

Nithya Menen will be honoured with the prestigious National Film Award today, October 8, for Best Actress, recognising her performance as Shobhana in the Dhanush-led film Thiruchitrambalam. Directed by Mithran R. Jawahar, the film features Dhanush as Pazham, a man navigating the challenges of life while finding comfort in his best friend, Shobhana, played by Nithya Menen. 

Nithya Menen on Winning the National Award For Shobhana

In the film, Shobhana was a loyal friend secretly in love with Pazham (Dhanush), hoping for his affection. After the announcement of the National Film Awards in August, Nithya’s portrayal of Shobhana sparked considerable discussion. Some questioned whether Shobhana was a role that traditionally deserved an award.

Addressing the debate, Nithya said, "I feel satisfied with the fact that Thiruchitrambalam is the film that got me this award. The thing is, I always want to do films that make me happy while I am doing them and make others happy while watching them. I believe there is more merit in making another person smile or be happy than trying, in a very self-centred way, to do a role in the hope that it will be validated with an award."

Nithya added, "Why can’t people see a light-hearted film and award it? Take, for instance, a comedy film. It isn’t easy to write or act in that genre of film. But why is it ignored for the awards just because it is not dramatic?"

She further emphasised, "This win for Thiruchitrambalam and Shobana proves that awards aren’t given just for dramatic roles. You shouldn’t have to be in prosthetics to win an award. There is a kind of mongering towards doing certain types of dramatic roles.”

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Nithya Menen Is One Of The Performers In Cinema Today: 5 Roles That The Actor Aced

While you may recognise Nithya from her Bollywood debut in Mission Mangal, the actor has built a significant fan base across India through her extensive and varied work. Primarily working in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema, Nithya has earned widespread admiration for her performances in multiple languages.

Menen started her acting career as a child actor in 1998 with the film The Monkey Who Knew Too Much. Since then, the actor has been seen in many regional films including 7 O’Clock, Kerala Cafe, Urumi, Ishq, 24 and many others. If you are looking for a concise list to follow her work, here are our picks for the best Nithya Menen films:

Psycho

This Tamil-language psychological thriller Psycho stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Nithya Menen and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles. Nithya Menen plays the role of a handicapped ex-cop Kamala, who, with the help of Gautham (Stalin) attempts to find a psycho killer on the loose. The film directed and written by Mysskin and was released on January 24, 2020.

Where to watch: Netflix

OK Kanmani

Unlike its Hindi remake, the 2015 romance-drama film OK Kanmani was well-received by the audience. Directed by ace director Mani Ratnam, the Tamil-language film follows the love story of Adi and Tara who are attracted to each other but despise the idea of marriage. While spending time with an elderly couple and watching them hopelessly in love with each other, the two realise the importance of companionship. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen in the lead roles, along with Prakash Raj and Leela Samson.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Awe!

Awe! is a 2018 Telugu-language film that marks the debut of director Prashanth Varma. The film includes an ensemble cast of Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen, Regina Cassandra, Eesha Rebba, Srinivas Avasarala, Priyadarshi Pullikonda and Murali Sharma. The film is a psychological cross-genre and deals with the issues of child abuse, sexual abuse and drug abuse. Menen plays the role of a psychiatrist Krish who is in a same-sex relationship with Radha (Eesha Rebba). The two attempt to get the latter's parents on board with their unconventional relationship.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Mersal

Nithya Menen plays the role of Aishwarya Vetrimaaran in the 2017 Tamil film Mersal. The film revolves around two brothers, a doctor and a magician, as the latter attempts to avenge his father's death and expose crimes and corruption in the Indian medical system. Menen is seen as the mother of the two brothers who dies due to an overdose of anaesthesia during childbirth. The film star actors  Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in prominent roles.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Zee5

Ustad Hotel

This 2012 Malayalam-language film is directed by Anwar Rasheed and written by Anjali Menon. Actors Dulquer Salmaan, Thilakan, Nithya Menen, Siddique, Mamukkoya, and Lena feature in prominent roles. While the film mainly revolves around Salmaan's character Faizi and his ambition to become a world-class chef despite his father's dismay, Menen's Shahana is integral to the storyline as she too fights against the orthodox aspirations of her family while she secretly pursues singing.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar