Crew came to school, I auditioned and got the role: Nakshatra Manoj

Nakshatra Manoj’s effortless performance in the film Rakshadhikari Biju has helped her clinch the State Award for the Best Child Actor. The young bundle of talent, who is currently in Class 12, divulges about her feat and her aspirations.
What was your reaction after you got to know about the State Award win?
I was attending examination, when the announcements were made.When I came out of the exam hall, it was my teachers, who came rushing to me with great joy and shared the news to me. I could not believe it at that moment. I walked to my home, just like I do always, and on the way, I was excited to meet my parents and see the happy expressions on my parents’ face. My father pens scripts for a few plays and is a simple fisherman. After seeing me, his happiness couldn’t just translate to words.
My friends made fun of me saying, ‘Njangale Okke Orkane Ini’ and were all cheering for me, as they were demanding for a treat.
What are your fond memories of working in Rakshadhikari Biju?
The film’s crew had come to our school, and my teachers asked students, who have an inclination towards acting to chip in for an audition. I went, but I did not have the slightest clue that I would asked to come over for the next stage in Payyoli. When I joined the set, the experience of seeing great actors like Biju chetta in person made me ecstatic. However, I was a bit nervous while shooting the first few scenes, and everyone around boosted my confidence. Hannah chechi, who essayed the role of my mother, interacted with me so well that we almost behaved like real mother and daughter.