You Need To Decide What You Want To Do How Much You Want Or Don’t Want To Compromise.”, Says Nithya Menen

Jyothi Venkatesh

The last day of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa started with Bangalore based Nithya Menen and Rashmika Mandanna who spoke to film critic Baradwaj Rangan about their journey and getting acclaim in short span of time.It feels like finally adjusting to an arranged marriage. Nithya started...”I got into films accidentally...I wanted to be in forest, around animals...make films on them. My personality was so not suited for film industry..no diplomacy, no fondness for attention. But very recently I started to develop incredible love for cinema. What a beautiful medium this is...I can make something that can change emotional state of people...may be this is what arrange marriage feels like. After sometime there is deep love.

On asked about being called the Karnataka Crush, Rashmika said, “With my first film I was called Karnataka crush. Initially I had no idea about films and after I came out of college, films happen. I don’t know how to react (on being referred to as Karnataka Crush) but it’s quite fun.”Talking about Dear Comrade, Rashmika Said, “I was not going through a very good phase while I was offered Lily. In fact during the shoot of the second half of Dear Comrade, I was really sad. I used to cry a lot. Now I feel happy when people come to me talk about the character and share their stories.”

Excerpts from the conversation

How is it being in front of camera?

“I am pretty awkward towards camera, it has become little better though. For the first time I was just me but now I try and become the character.” Said Rashmika.

For Nithya? “It has always been so natural and easy. Nothing was a challenge ever to me. I realised this is what I am best at doing. It was truly effortless. Slipping in to a character..the character stays in my head after the narration. I visualise the whole film when I hear a narration.”

On term actress, Nithya said, “I actually never refer to myself as an actress. I am an actor.”

Rashmika agreed, “It’s actually a male or a female actor...it (term actress) does bother me.”

Baradwaj Rangan, Nithya Menen and Rashmika Mandanna

How is it working in so many languages?

Rashmika- “I give it all...I learn the language. I mix up all the languages sometimes but Learning the language and culture matters.

Nithya - “I know 6 languages. Learning Telugu was not easy but it is important to learn because only then the performance becomes natural. Without my voice, my performance is incomplete.”

On asked what matters now a big film or a meaty role irrespective of the length of the character, Rashmika replied, “I am all about experimenting. I am craving, I am hungry for more. I would may be love to do a negative role.”

Do you like preparing?

Nithya - “I cannot he directed too much . If you over instruct me, you will mess it up. I am not a method actor. I am spontaneous.

During Ok Kanmani, Mani sir would never instruct me much. For a long time I though Mani sir didn’t like my performance but later I realised he knew that he could let me be.”

Rashmika - “I like to be told by my directors what exactly do they want. They get a better performance out of me when they tell me what they want and how should I approach a scene.”

What would you advice others...

Nithya - “Do the job that you are really good at. Do the job well.”

When someone from audiences asked if the film industry is safe for women, Nithya said, “You are aa safe as you allow yourself to be. No one will force you. Bad behaviour is everywhere not only in the film industry. You need to decide what you want to do how much you want or don’t want to compromise.”

“I completely agree with what she is saying”, concluded Rashmika.

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