She has said that she initially wished to become a pilot,[10][11] but ultimately found pilot unappealing, so she pivoted to filmmaking.[11][12][13] During the school's entrance exam, she met B. V. Nandini Reddy, who convinced Menen to take up acting.[11] Nithya is a polyglot and can speak six languages including Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English.[14][15][16] She claims the surname "Menen" was made up by the actress as she felt it "helps with her passport during travel".[17]
Career
Child artist and early adult roles (1998-2010)
In 1998, Menen appeared first on-screen as a child in a French-Indian English film named Hanuman, at the age of 8, playing younger sister to Tabu's character.[18] She also was a part of the Hindi-language soap opera Choti Maa – Ek Anokha Bandhan , which was aired during 2001-2002 .[19]
In 2006, at the age of 15, she played a supporting role in the Kannada film 7 O' Clock.[20] The 2008 off-beat film Aakasha Gopuram, directed by K. P. Kumaran, marked her film career in Malayalam in a leading role, in which she was paired with Mohanlal. She was in the midst of her 12th class exams when she was offered the role, after Mohanlal had spotted her on the front cover of a tourism magazine, Stark World Kerala.[2][10] Her performance was well received, with critics writing that she shows "sparkle in her debut venture" and "makes her entry in an impressive role",[21] though the film was a financial failure.[21]
She next made a comeback into Kannada films with the film Josh, in 2009. The film received rave reviews,[22] and became a commercial success as well, with her performance garnering her a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 57th Filmfare Awards South. The same year she appeared in Vellathooval, Angel John and Kerala Cafe. She received positive reviews for the lattermost.[23] In 2010, she starred in the Malayalam films, Anwar and Apoorvaragam where she plays Nancy, a young girl who gets involved with two male students (Nishan and Asif Ali) who are later discovered to be con-artists. The film received mixed to negative reviews, but became a hit at the box office.[24][25]
Telugu debut and breakthrough (2011–2012)
Nithya in 2011
Menen's career marked a turning point in 2011, with the romantic comedy Ala Modalaindi, which was her maiden Telugu venture.[6] The film opened to favourable reviews by critics and turned out to become a sleeper hit,[26] while Menen received critical praise for her performance. Idlebrain's Jeevi in his review cited that she "epitomized Nitya character with her fabulous performance", "looks beautiful in all kinds of dresses" and was "the best debut in recent years of Telugu cinema after Samantha in YMC",[27] while another critic wrote that she was a "charming find" and "...quite the Genelia replacement that our cinema so badly needs right now."[28] She eventually won the Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance and received a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[29] Further more, she also sang two songs for the soundtrack album of the film, tuned by Kalyani Malik.[30][31] Nandini Reddy, later, went on to describe Menen as "the discovery of the decade".[26]
Following Ala Modalaindi, she starred in Santosh Sivan's historical fiction Urumi as part of an ensemble cast.[32] She portrayed a Chirakkal princess named Bala, playing the love interest of Prabhu Deva's character,[32] which gained positive remarks, with a Sify review claiming that she "looks pretty and is a scene stealer".[33] Menen quoted that much of her character was based on "Santosh's perception of who I am", with Sivan stating that he had written that role for her and that only she could play it. She received a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 59th Filmfare Awards South[32] She next appeared in ad-filmmaker Jayendra's bilingual venture Nootrenbadhu, which was made and released in Tamil and Telugu (as 180), in which she played a photo journalist named Vidya.[34] She described the character as "bubbly, full of life, nosey, wide-eyed and innocent in life" and to be similar to herself.[34] Later the year, she was seen in Sibi Malayil's Violin in Malayalam and the Gautham Vasudev Menon-produced Veppam in Tamil. She also featured in V. K. Prakash's Kannada anthology film Aidondla Aidu where she played a young bride who is obsessed with making payasam for her new husband much to his chagrin. She had sung and also choreographed one of the songs, titled "Payasa".[35]
Menen's first 2012 release was the Telugu romance film Ishq with Nithiin. She received the CineMAA Award for Best Actress - Critics, for this film which was a commercial success.[36][37]News18 praised her portrayal and her chemistry with Nithin.[38] She was later seen in five Malayalam films: Karmayogi, V. K. Prakash's Malayalam adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet co-starring Indrajith Sukumaran, Poppins, the Malayalam remake of Aidondla Aidu in which she reprised her role from the original and sang the Malayalam version of "Payasa", T. K. Rajeev Kumar's Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty, in which she portrayed a village woman whose daily life is filmed and broadcast as a reality show for a month,[39]Amal Neerad's Bachelor Party in which she played Asif Ali's wife and young mother to their baby and Ustad Hotel directed by Anwar Rasheed where she paired up for the first time with Dulquer Salmaan.[40] In Ustad Hotel, she played a headstrong girl, who gets in a forced marriage. Rediff.com stated, "Nithiya gets a meaty role as her character is well etched."[41] Most of these films became a major commercial success, solidifying Menen's career.[42]
Further work and continuous success (2013–2015)
In 2013, she starred in three Telugu and one Kannada film. She first appeared in Okkadine with Nara Rohit and in Jabardasth with Siddharth and Samantha. Menen received praises for playing the titular role of a physically challenged girl in Mynaa. The film was successful and completed 100 days in many centers across Karnataka. Her performance was well praised by the critics. She also sang the female version of "Modele Maleyante" which was well received.[43]
Menen won rave reviews and her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu for playing a character with two shades in Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde opposite Nithin.[44][45] It was a huge box office success. Times of India noted, "Nithya Menen takes the honors as far as acting goes. She has the author backed role and overshadows everyone else." 123telugu termed her "the undisputed star of the film" and added that she "shines through brilliantly and her performance is a treat to watch".[46] In 2014, she played the lead in Malini 22 Palayamkottai.[47] Menen then played a cameo in the successful film Bangalore Days alongside Fahadh Faasil.[48]Sify wrote, "Nithya Menen has a limited role to play, but she suit her role perfectly."[49]
Menen starred in numerous films which gave her more critical and commercial recognition. In her first film of the year, she appeared opposite Sharwanand for, Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju.[50] She played a young Muslim student in love with a Hindu. She won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu and Nandi Special Jury Award, for her performance.[51] With this Menen became the first Telugu actress ever to win Critics Award & the Best Actress Award at Filmfare. News18 noted, "Nithya changed looks and body language in each stage is impressive. She starts as a girl and ends as a woman. Her performance is worth commending."[52] She then appeared in JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai and S/O Satyamurthy directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Menen then played opposite Dulquer Salmaan in 100 Days of Love. The New Indian Express said she gave a "decent performance".[53] All the three films were box office success.[54]
Menen achieved further acclaim with three more films in 2015. She played a crippled girl alongside Raghava Lawrence in his directorial Kanchana 2, a successful film. The critics termed her performance "crucial" and "effective".[55] Menen received immense praises for the a romantic film O Kadhal Kanmani, directed by Mani Ratnam.[56] She played an architectural student Tara, opposite Dulquer Salmaan. Dulquer and Menen's on-screen chemistry was praised and she garnered her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil nomination.[57] The film became a financial success at the box office. Firstpost noted, " Menen is an exceptional actor and has delivered a very realistic performance." It further praised her chemistry with Salmaan and added, "They're perfect as the couple and the credit goes to the director for capturing the chemistry between them in simple ways."[58][59] She played princess Muktamba in Rudhramadevi with Anushka Shetty, her final film of the year.[60]The Hindu stated, "Nithya Menen shows that she can leave an imprint on any character she plays. She is an endearing addition to this film."[61]
Her only release in 2017 was the Tamil film Mersal opposite Vijay, where she was praised for her role as a tough yet supportive wife, Firstpost noted, "Among the three actresses, it is Nithya Menen who makes an impression with her competent performance."[70] The film garnered her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil at 65th Filmfare Awards South and was a huge box office success.[71][72] She had two Telugu films in 2018. Menen played a lesbian psychiatrist in Awe, that received highly positive reviews. She became the first mainstream South Indian actress to play an LGBTQ character.[73]The Hindu stated that Menen "shine through", giving her all to character that "don't come by often".[74] She next had a cameo in Geetha Govindam.[75]
Menen played actress Savitri in her first film of 2019, NTR: Kathanayakudu.[76] She reunited with V. K. Prakash in the experimental film Praana which also marks her comeback to Malayalam industry after 2015. She played an English writer who battles intolerance in society and is the sole actor in the film.[77]The News Minute praised the actor and said, "Nithya displays the right emotions as Thara. Remember it's just her, and one person makes so much of an impact. Nithya carries it off all so effortlessly."[78] Menen made her Hindi film debut with the highly successful film Mission Mangal, playing a satellite engineer.[79]Bollywood Hungama noted that Menen has a smaller role but "it serves as a great debut".[80]NDTV said that as the staid and steady Varsha Pillai, Nithya Menen is "delightfully good".[81]
Menen starred in three Telugu films in 2021. She played a spirit named Maya in Ninnila Ninnila with Ashok Selvan and Ritu Varma.[84]Firstpost wrote, "The big surprise in the film is Nithya whose impishness in the story is unlike anything else that she has portrayed over the years, and her on-screen chemistry with Selvan is a delight."[85] Her next film Skylab, marked her first film as a producer.[86] She played a singer in her year's final film Gamanam.[87]
Career progression (2022–present)
Menen had four film and two web releases in 2022. She starred in Bheemla Nayak opposite Pawan Kalyan and Rana Daggubati, the film was a box office success.[88]Cinema Express said, "Nithya Menen's Suguna, surprisingly gets a few memorable moments, and she brings a certain level of warmness to Bheemla whenever she is on screen."[89] She appeared in the series Modern Love Hyderabad, where NDTV termed her performance "luminous".[90][91] Next she played an unnamed lady in 19(1)(a) with Vijay Sethupathi.[92] Nithya later said in an interview in 2023 that she considers 19(1)(a) as her career-best performance till that time, alongside OK Kanmani.[93] After this she reprised her role in the second season of Breathe: Into the Shadows.[94]
Menen received rave reviews for the romantic drama Thiruchitrambalam opposite Dhanush as his childhood best friend.[95] It became a critical and commercial success.[96] While Hindustan Times noted, "Nithya Menen has always shied away from playing the quintessential heroine. She's phenomenal in the film, playing a key character that she nails to perfection." India Today wrote, "If you give Nithya Menen a meaty character, everyone else can sit back and admire her living the role with full of zest."[97][98] She won 70th National Film Award for Best Actress along with Manasi Parekh for Thiruchitrambalam. Menen played a pregnant women in her final film of the year, Wonder Women.[99]Wonder Woman was filmed before Thiruchitrambalam.[100]
Menen appeared in Kolaambi, her first film of 2023, which she termed among her "all time favourite".[101] Kolambi was screened at the 50th International Film Festival of India in Goa (2019).[102] Later that year, Menen played the lead in two more series. First she played a restaurant worker in Kumari Srimathi, with Firstpost calling her performance "lively, spunky and vibrant".[103]Masterpeace was her last release that year, where she played a girl in a modern relationship. Cinema Express termed her work "decent".[104][105]
Artistry and public image
Nithya at SIIMA Awards, 2013
Ankur Pathak of HuffPost stated that Menen's filmography is "filled with experiments" and noted, "The actor has taken risks throughout her career. Menen has ensured that she's unforgettable even in cameos."[4] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu said that she had "shown a natural flair for acting" and noted that she had worked in a variety of genres from breezy romance to period drama to out-of-the-box projects.[106] Latha Srinivasan of The New Indian Express noted, "Nithya Menen slips into her character's skin with effortless ease."[107] Nibandh Vinod of News18 termed her an "accomplished actress and singer" who had established a career in five industries.[108]
Often compared to late actress Soundarya, Menen takes it as a compliment. "Since Soundarya, perhaps there hasn't been anyone that people could relate to. She was loved and respected," she says.[106] Menen is known as someone who is a very private person. Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost said, "There's always been an air of mystery about Nithya Menen, and when she talks, she's careful about how she articulates her thoughts and ideas. Despite her popularity, the actress is hardly in news."[109] In Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman list, she was placed 19th in 2014 and 15th in 2015.[110][111] She was further placed 5th in 2019 and 6th in 2020 in Kochi Times' Most Desirable Woman list.[112][113] In the Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman list, Menen was placed 25th in 2017 and 18th in 2020.[114][115]
Menen is widely known for her performances in films such as – Kerala Cafe, Ala Modalaindi, 180, Ishq, Ustad Hotel, Malli Malli Idi Raani Roju, O Kadhal Kanmani, Mersal, Awe and Thiruchitrambalam among others.[116] Menen has appeared in Rediff.com's "Top Telugu Actresses" four times. She was placed 3rd in 2011, 5th in 2012, 1st in 2013 and 3rd in 2015.[117][118][119][120] In its "Top Kannada Actresses", she ranked 1st in 2013 and in "Top Tamil Actresses" list, she ranked 5th in 2015.[121][122] Her performance in O Kadhal Kanmani is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[123] Menen's portrayal of Tara and Kamala are considered among the most memorable female characters of Tamil cinema.[124][125] In 2022, Forbes India included her in its first ever "Showstoppers – India's Top 50 Outperformers" list.[126] Menen stood at the 30th place on its most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021 list.[127]
^Zaman, Rana Siddiqui (10 October 2016) [22 August 2008]. "A castle of his own". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
^API, Malayalam (4 April 2016). "Doctor Innocent Aanu (2012)" (Motion Picture) (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021 – via YouTube.
