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

Through her vast and diverse body of work, actor Nithya Menen has amassed a huge fan following across the country. The actor works in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films primarily. In 2019, Menen made her Hindi-film debut with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan-starrer Mission Mangal.

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. Born to Malayali parents, Menen identifies as a Kannadiga. The actor has received a number of awards and accolades recognising her as a well-appreciated actor, including three Filmfare Awards South and two Nandi Awards.

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 is directed and written by Mysskin and was released on Janaury 24, 2020.

Where to watch: Netflix

OK Kanmani

A still from 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

Suggested Reading: Five Regional Films Of R Madhavan To Watch If You Are Still “Maddy” About Him

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

Thalapathy Vijay and Nithya Menen in 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