‘Like coolness under a ficus tree’; Nithya Menen pens a gentle ode; calls THIS film close to her heart

Nithya Menen has always had a way with words, and her recent reflection on the Malayalam film '19(1)(a)' is no exception.

Taking to Instagram on the film’s third anniversary, the actress described the experience of working on the film as “coolness under a ficus tree.” The line, poetic and serene, is a perfect metaphor for the mood and message of '19(1)(a)'.


“The kind where you want to lay down and go to sleep because it’s so peaceful,” she wrote, capturing the film’s meditative pace and tone in a single stroke.

A first with Vijay Sethupathi

Directed by Indhu VS, '19(1)(a)' marked Nithya’s first-ever collaboration with Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi. Though their screen time together was limited, the film’s impact was profound. Nithya plays a reserved photostat shop owner who unexpectedly finds herself holding a politically charged manuscript written by Vijay’s character—a reclusive writer with revolutionary ideas. Interestingly, while this was their first film together, the duo soon reunited for Thalaivan Thalaivii, where they played a constantly bickering married couple. “Same actors, but such diametrically opposite films,” Nithya noted.

The blessing of variety in storytelling

In her post, Nithya also expressed gratitude for the diverse projects she continues to be part of, calling it “some sort of great blessing or luck.” Whether it’s the stillness of 19(1)(a) or the dramatic intensity of Thalaivan Thalaivii, the actress seems to thrive on variety. She also referenced the actual presence of a ficus tree on set, saying it became a kind of silent witness to the story unfolding around it. “We had one of those trees too, as a strong presence around us and in the film,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Nithya Menen and Vijay Sethupathi's recently released drama film 'Thalaivan Thalaivii' is getting decent reports from the audiences. The movie is also doing good box office business.