Navya Nair started her career in a simple way and did a role in “Chidhambarathil oru Appasamy” a film by Thankar Bachan. The film called for a young woman to play the mother of two children and what exactly made her do the role may never be known but that is what she took on in her first film. Thankar Bachan had been trying to persuade many actresses, to try the role without success. It is not surprising that he got a “No” everywhere. In a world where singing songs and changing costumes every now and then is all that is required of a heroine, acting as a “Mom” is not what most young actresses are willing to do. That left only debutants who are hard to find these days. That’s when Thankar Bachan chanced upon Navya Nair. The movie in question was not a big hit but it got talked about and was consequently noticed. Her next film in Tamil was ‘Amirtham’ with Ganesh which was also a disappointment.

Then ‘Mayakkannadi’ came in where, Cheran was the director, producer and hero. “Sila Nerangalil” and “Ettappan” are to be released in the near future.

Here are some questions being answered by this beautiful actress, in her own style….

1. What is going on? Every Keralite actress is migrating into Tamil cinema. What is going to happen in Malayalam cinema?

I don’t see what the fuss is all about. What difference does it make to any industry when an actress moves about?

1. Are you not downplaying the importance of the heroine?

I meant that a film is not entirely heroine driven. It is not even driven by the hero. It’s the story and the script which makes a film a hit.

1. All that is rhetoric. I can give you a dozen films that ran just because of loyal fans. If anybody else had acted in them, they would have been tossed out after a couple of days?

That’s true in certain cases, but if an actress is not available, invariably someone else will do the job. People want to see new films all the time; same is the case with the producer. They need to make new films and if someone is not available, they will look for new people. Life has to go on. I am not speaking philosophy but I guess there is some truth in what I say.

1. What made you move to Tamil cinema? Was it money or did you see something in Tamil cinema that excited you or at least interested you?

Let me tell you a few things. There is huge myth doing rounds that all Malayalam movies have a meaningful storyline and that actresses always have good roles where they can show their capability. Let me tell you that barring a few films the rest are about the same. Even in Malayalam films we have very little to do. There also we sing and dance and play second fiddle to the hero. They can find any one to do what I was doing .So I moved, even though I was warned that its gross commercialization in Tamil cinema. I see that I can get good roles here. And Oh yes! I forgot to mention the attractive payments (with a smile).

1. What is the difference between Malayalam and Tamil Cinema?

As far as I can make out there is not much of a difference. I mean everything’s more or less the same. I would not be able to give a comparative answer now. Ask me in ten years and then I might be in a position to explain like Sivaji Ganesan or Manorama. Right now I am just taking it all in.

1. What about the others South Indian Languages? Have you tried Kannada or Telugu?

I haven’t done any Telugu films yet, but I am looking for that day. Right now I am on the verge of doing a Kannada film. There is a film titled “Gaja” which I am doing with Darshan. I was in Chennai when the director told me the story and I liked it. I agreed and I’ll be starting soon.

1. Do you speak or understand Kannada?

I don’t understand it too well but a lot of words sound like Malayalam. I’m pretty ok in English, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam. I think I am better than ok in Tamil. I was even dubbing for “Mayakkannadi”.

1. What’s your take on fame?

I am not vain enough to think that I am famous but I did get recognized a couple of times. Once a Tamil couple in Japan came over and said they had liked me.

1. That means you have visited Japan. Not bad….

The couple came to me and called me “Balamani” which was my name in the movie “Nandhanam”. Another day in the lobby of the Residency Hotel in Chennai, a girl from Dubai came up to me, hugged me and said that my role made her cry. Some older ladies at Guruvayoor temple said they liked me because I did not do those glamour roles but restricted myself doing descent roles.

1. What film do you have after “Mayakkannadi”?

I have agreed to do a film called ‘Theeraadha Kaadhal’ meaning endless love. The hero of the movie is yet t o be finalized.

1. Isn’t that Strange, you agreed to do the film without knowing the hero?

I have done a lot of films, where which I had agreed without knowing everything about my role. But it has worked well for me.

1. It is said that you are a graduate. What were your subjects in the college?

I graduated in English Literature.

1. Can you recollect any memories of those days when you entered into films?

I was only in my tenth class .I wasn’t the heroine or anything like that. I faced the camera for the first time in film by Sibi Malayil, but it wasn’t scary at all.

1. When you are shooting in Tamil Nadu, the food must be quite different from what you are used to at home, isn’t it?

Smiling…Yes a little bit. I love Malayali dishes, particularly the “Mango Puliseri”.

1. Mango Puliseri? What’s it?

It’s sweet curry made with sweet mangoes. I know it is not cherished by non Keralites, but we love it. I’m a pretty descent cook and let me tell you I make a very good prawn curry and Christmas pudding too. Trust me!