Navya : On a new high

The multi-lingual actress Navya Nair has decided to take a sabbatical from Malayalam cinema, where it all started for her and has decided to do more meaningful Tamil films, as offers kept pouring in.
Two years ago, Navya had come to Kollywood after tasting huge success in Malayalam films. The actress, who has the girl-next-door image, took a strategic decision to try out Tamil films.Though she was just testing the waters, it seems to have paid off handsomely as proved by films like Azhagiya Theeye, Amritham, Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy, Maya Kannadi and Sila Nerangalil.
Unlike other Malayalee actresses like Nayanthara, Asin or Meera Jasmine, Navya did not take the glamour route to attain stardom in Kollywood. ���What can I do,��� she asks, ���I have this demure, girl-next-door image and audiences will not accept me in glamour roles.��� She points out the case of another noted Malayalee actress, known for her acting skills, who kissed a Tamil hero much younger to her and did a glam role in a recent release that bombed. Navya says matter-of-factly: ���The audiences have a certain perspective of every heroine and one should not go against it. I have always stuck to my on-screen image and I have no complaints as I have got some meaty roles coming my way.���
The actress is clear that what tempts her to do more Tamil films is the kind of roles that have been offered to her. And ironically, it is the lack of good roles in Malayalam films which is too superstar-oriented that has made her take a break from the industry. ���I have done about 25 films in Malayalam and won awards for my performances in films like Nandanam and Saira. But today, there are hardly any female-oriented roles in Malayalam films, and if you want to be noticed you have to do films with superstars, where you have only screen time of 15 to 20 minutes. I���ve had enough of it and moved on to Tamil where there are more challenging roles,��� she explains.
At the moment, she has completed Raman Thediya Seethai in which she plays the role of a police woman. She is also doing Suresh Joachim���s untitled film being made to break the Guinness record and has signed Cheran���s Autograph 2.
About her link-up with Cheran during the making of Maya Kannadi, she shoots back and says: ���I have a great rapport with Cheran sir; that does not mean that I had an affair with him! Both of us like meaningful and realistic cinema and we talk a lot about it.��� Another film she is very excited about is Aval Paer Tamilarasi, to be directed by Meera Kathiravan and produced by Moserbaer. ���I play a village girl in the film in which Jai plays the hero. It���s a very realistic movie within the commercial format and will be a path-breaking venture that is sure to be talked about in the coming days,��� she signs off.