When Nithya Menen shocked Nandini Reddy. In a resurfaced YouTube interview, director Nandini Reddy, a prominent female filmmaker in Telugu cinema, showered accolades on actress Nithya Menen, creating a buzz among Nithya's admirers. Nandini recounted a significant incident when Nithya took a principled stand, refusing to perform a drunk scene. This bold stance not only garnered admiration from Nandini but also empowered the director to stand firm against producers who insisted on including the scene.
Making her directorial debut with the 2011 film "Ala Modalaindi," starring Nani and Nithya Menen, Nandini shared insights into the challenges faced during the filmmaking process. Despite being a newcomer to Telugu cinema, Nithya demonstrated her assertiveness by rejecting a scene that seemed incongruent with the script.
Nandini reflected, stating, “At one point, they wanted me to write a scene where Nithya Menen gets drunk again. She said, ‘I am not going to do it. Do you think it is right?’ I said, ‘No, but I just want to finish this film.’ She was a kid. She was 21 and was just out of college. No films. No standing. She said, ‘Go tell them Nithya Menen will not do.’ She told it with just an attitude. A girl was telling me this, and then I realized that I needed to stand up for myself. So, I told the producer that I won’t do it. I told him, ‘I am not going to shoot it. If you want, you shoot it.'"
This incident marked a turning point for Nandini as she asserted herself for the first time, inspired by Nithya Menen's courage. "Ala Modalaindi" went on to become a hit, propelling the careers of Nithya, Nandini, and Nani in the Telugu film industry.
Nandini and Nithya collaborated once again for the film "Jabardasth," solidifying their professional relationship. Nithya continued to make her mark in Telugu cinema with notable films such as "Ishq" and "Okkadine."
Currently, Nithya Menen is a part of Jayam Ravi’s "Kadhalikka Neramillai," directed by Krithika Udhayanidhi and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin, showcasing her continued success and versatility in the industry.