Earlier this month, Nithya Menen celebrated a career-defining moment as she clinched the National Award for Best Actress for Thiruchitrambalam (2022). To her, the recognition stands for something bigger than the film; it validates “all the unusual choices” she has made in her career. “I’ve always taken risks, and that won’t change,” she started as we sat down for a chat. “I choose films from my heart. My drive has never been about fame; it’s rooted in a desire to creatively express myself and impact people through my films. I didn’t even have a full narration of Thiruchitrambalam. Dhanush, on the phone, told me in 15 minutes what the film is about. What spoke to me was the passion with which this movie was written and being made. At a time when male-dominated, action movies are doing well, this is such a sweet film.”