I forced myself to learn Telugu: Nithya

Ala Modalaindi has captured the young audience and the BO. What does the success of the film mean to you?

It means everything to me. It was our film Nandu's (director Nandini Reddy), Nani's and mine. The character Gautam is very Nani, and Nithya is me and the humor is Nandu's. The film was our baby, it was something that came deep from our hearts and frankly we did not expect it to do so well!

You studied journalism, how did films happen?

Journalism is not what it used to be. I thought it was an important job but it is not. I'm idealistic and it pretty much upsets me that negativity sells and that even if I wanted to tell the truth I wouldn't be able to if my boss does not okay it. I knew a job like that would lead to a lot of conflicts because of the way I am and I wouldn't last long, but in a way I don't think I have ever shifted. I did my first film when I was eight. Films were always there at the back of my mind. I would try to move away but films kept coming to me. I would do movies for friends I guess some things are meant to be!

So, you get to do what you want in films?

I wanted to make films so that I could say what I wanted to through the medium. Actually, I had almost turned down Ala Modalaindi because I wanted to learn cinematography at FTI Pune. Nandu brainwashed me It'll take four years and by then the best part of your life and all the good offers might no longer be there, she said. I never wanted to be an actress.

Things like glamour, fashion and fame are not important to me. All these years I have handpicked my films. It was passion and love for the art that made me do films. I've never done a film for commercial reasons. The Malayalam audience knows me as an art film actress and I am fine with that because I know that such films come from the heart. It's difficult to do them, but the satisfaction you get is immense.

But Tollywood is notorious for changing actresses' sensibilities
Telugu films are completely different. I know I can't ignore commercialism all together but I'm sure I'll be able to pick films that balance it out. I do not want to do superficial roles because I know I have the talent. The industry is full of girls who can't act but just look glam it's a free world, everybody makes their own choices. As far as I am concerned I know there is more to me than just being a pretty prop.

You are one of the few actresses who have dubbed their lines in Telugu

I understand the language but I have felt inadequate speaking Telugu as I am not fluent. I insisted that the unit boys speak to me in Telugu and not Hindi. That way I forced myself to learn the language!