Nithya Menen Fires Back at Critics on Winning National Award Over Sai Pallavi. Nithya Menen recently clinched the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as Shobhana in the Dhanush-starrer Thiruchitrambalam. This victory, however, stirred up a debate among fans, particularly those of Sai Pallavi, who believed Pallavi deserved the award for her performance in Gargi. In an interview with the Indian Express, Nithya addressed the controversy and defended her win.
The Joy of Acting
Nithya shared that she was not actively following the awards announcement and was surprised when she began receiving congratulatory calls. When asked about Shobhana being an unconventional choice for an award-winning role, Nithya expressed her contentment with the recognition. She said, “I feel satiated 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 it and make others happy while watching it. 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.”
Challenging Stereotypes: Nithya Menen Fires Back, She addressed the ongoing debate about the types of roles that typically receive awards. She questioned why light-hearted films are often overlooked, saying, “Take, for instance, a comedy film. It isn’t easy to write or act in that genre of films. But why is it ignored for the awards just because it is not dramatic? This win for Thiruchitrambalam and Shobhana 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.”
A Heartwarming Story
Thiruchitrambalam, directed by Mithran R Jawahar, also stars Dhanush and tells the story of Pazham, who finds solace in his best friend, Shobhana, while navigating the challenges of life. Nithya’s portrayal of Shobhana, a supportive friend secretly in love with Pazham, resonated with audiences and critics alike. Her performance highlighted the nuances of a character who brings joy and warmth to the screen, challenging the notion that only intense, dramatic roles are worthy of accolades.