Now, in an era in which celebrity relationships dominate the news media, actress Nithya Menen isn’t just a series of hits she is providing us her own angle. She looks at marriage and motherhood very differently.
The National Award-winning actress, who is lauded for a star-studded performance in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films, has been the focal point of renewed dialogue on the internet. But despite her bold and brave stance on personal life choices, Nithya Menen remains one of South Indian cinema's most sought-after actors at 38.
Nithya Menen is still one of the most sought-after actresses in South Indian cinema at her 38 years old. Although she has spent over a decade in the public eye, she maintains a high level of privacy in her personal life. Unlike most of her peers, she’s never openly discussed plans to marry; she prioritises her career and personal happiness.
She has a simple but significant line of thought: marriage is only part of life, not the whole part. Although this perspective seems increasingly important in contemporary metropolitan settings, it also goes against how many women in the entertainment space perceive marriage to be.
One of the recent media attention hinged on one clip of one of her past interviews, which was featured on social media again. In a rapid-fire segment, she was asked whether it’s acceptable to have a child without marrying. Nithya spoke no uncertain words; no matter what, it’s fine.
As she put it, if somebody is interested in being a parent but has a clear grasp and understanding that he doesn’t want to be in a marriage, that choice should be respected. Advances in modern times, she said, assisted reproductive technologies, for example, have simplified these decisions considerably. Her remarks have divided public opinion online.
Some admired her for being unapologetic about her opinions on women’s independence and unconventional attitude in breaking with a societal norm, while others were reluctant and found their opinions controversial. The controversy is part of a larger shift in how society thinks about all types of issues surrounding women’s relationships, parenting, personal freedoms and individual liberation.
Nithya Menen’s ideas align, of course, with the types of roles she played on screen. In the Tamil film Kadhalikka Neramillai, she played a woman who decides to produce a child by IVF without marriage. It may have come in the promotional period of that film, and the claim could be a bit tainted by her character, some feel.
But she’s still commonly seen as having a heartfelt view of life. Nithya Menen even leads her own life, even if she and many of us as actresses eventually become detached from the public eye to tend to family. She plays all manner of roles in dozens of genres but appears to be comfortable leading an independent lifestyle. Her decision to remain single for now is emblematic of the notion that she wishes to live by her own rules.
