Rare honour

Two of Navya Nair's films were screened at IIFI 06, writes SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN

PHOTO: S. GOPALUMAR

ON CLOUD NINE Navya Nair's `Aadum Koothu' and `Saira' were screened at IFFI 06

Navya Nair is on a high. She is perhaps the only Indian actor to have two of her films screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The heroine of `Aadum Koothu' and `Saira,' both of which had won a place in the IFFI-06, says that her first outing in the IIFI was a unique experience.

"Last year, although `Kanne Madunga,' in which I had played the lead role, was screened, I was unable to attend the festival. This time, I was there for two days and even managed to see a few movies," says the bubbly actor who had impressed critics with her debut film `Nandanam,' which also fetched the Kerala State award for the teenaged actor.

Like many other Malayalam actors, Navya also decided to try her luck in the Tamil industry after making her presence felt in Malayalam films, some of which were hits such as `Chadikatha Chandu' and `Ishtam.' But instead of acting in potboilers only, Navya kept her eyes open for that plum role that offered her a chance to unleash her considerable histrionic talent. In the present stituation, when heroines are almost reduced to a song and dance sequence, it not everyday that heroines get women-oriented roles.

"I have never planned anything. It is destiny," the actor maintains. But the fact remains that she is one of the few actors in Malayalam cinema who has not shut the door on offbeat or low-budget films.

The luck factor

"It was luck that got me these roles. I accepted `Aadum Koothu' the moment I knew it was T.V. Chandran's film. Who would refuse a role like that? In the case of `Saira,' it was the director's sincerity that impressed me. I was captivated when I heard the story. It was a low-budget film that tackled a wide canvas. So, though the director Biju was a debutant, I was confident that it would be a good film, Navya explains.

Elaborating on her role in `Aadum Koothu' she says: "The story covers three generation of women and I play three roles. Each role is different in characterisation. I have given different voices to the three characters I play."

`Aadum Koothu' was reportedly screened to a packed audience in Goa. "I was there for the screening of the film in Goa and it was a memorable experience. Mediapersons from Kerala were there in full strength and so I felt quite at home in Goa. But then it was my first time at IIFI and so I have no idea how it was in the previous years."

She plans to attend as many festivals as possible, she says.

"Such festivals are the best place to see the best of films. Many of the movies that are screened in the festivals may not be reach theatres at all. As an artiste in the industry I know how difficulty it is for the producers and the directors to get such films released in cinemas."

When will viewers in Kerala get to see her in Malayalam films?

"I have got a few offers but I have not made up my mind. I am working on Cheran's `Mayaakannadi' in Tamil. A little more work has to be done on the film."

So, will she be there at the International Film Festival of Kerala where both `Aadum Koothu' and `Saira' would be screened. "Of course," she avers.

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