Famous South actress still washes her clothes and does her laundry herself even today. Here's why

Although she has many hits to her name, such as ‘ O Kadhal Kanmani,’ ‘100 Days Of Love,’ ‘Kanchana 2,’ etc., and a National Film Award to boot, actress Nithya Menen still believes in doing her own laundry. In an interview with Ramya Subramanian, where Ramya reminds her how she asked for some detergent during the filming of ‘O Kadhal Kanmani,’ the actress revealed she did her own laundry.

The ‘Mersal’ actress revealed that an incident where her neighbours were distraught due to the absence of domestic help made her realise how dependent people were on others to sort out their work, and this acted as a wake-up call of sorts. From then on, she resolved to do her own laundry. She also shared a funny anecdote about when her father saw her handwashing her clothes and pointed out that “Nobody will believe it.”

On the work front, Menen’s new movie, ‘ Thalaivan Thalaivii,’ is all set to hit the big screens on 25 July. Written and helmed by Padiraj, the movie features Menen and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles. She would also feature alongside Tamil superstar Dhanush in the drama film ‘Idly Kadai.’


Exploring the Journey of Nithya Menen: Actress, Singer, and Cinematic Powerhouse


A highly respected performer in Indian cinema, Menen has carved a distinct identity both as an actress and as a playback singer. Her artistic contributions predominantly span Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu-language films, though she has also showcased her talent in select Kannada productions. With a career featuring over 62 films, Nithya is acclaimed for bringing emotionally rich and powerful female characters to life.

Early Start and Breakthrough Role

Her artistic inclinations surfaced early, leading to her debut as a child artiste in Hanuman (1998), a French-Indian film made in English, where she played the younger sister of Tabu's character. Nithya transitioned into adult roles with her appearance in the Kannada film 7 'O'Clock in 2006. However, it was the 2011 Telugu romantic comedy Ala Modalaindi that marked a turning point. The film’s success earned her widespread attention and recognition, culminating in the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Actress, solidifying her place in the industry.

Acclaim in Telugu Cinema

Her rising graph continued in Telugu cinema with successive hits. She starred in Ishq (2012), followed by Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde (2013), a performance that earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. Nithya’s credibility as a performer was further cemented with her role in Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015), which brought her the Filmfare Critics Award in the same category. Additional noteworthy performances include her work in Rudhramadevi (2015), the action-drama Janatha Garage (2016), the psychological thriller Awe (2018), and the blockbuster Bheemla Nayak (2022).

Success in Tamil and Malayalam Films

In Tamil cinema, Nithya rose to prominence with Mani Ratnam’s O Kadhal Kanmani (2015), a romantic film that showcased her adaptability and range. Her career in Malayalam cinema also includes critically and commercially successful projects such as Ustad Hotel (2012), the ensemble drama Bangalore Days (2014), and 100 Days of Love (2015). Other Tamil projects that boosted her popularity were Kanchana 2 (2015), 24 (2016), and Mersal (2017), for which she secured the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress—Tamil.

Recent Accolades and Legacy

In 2022, her performance in Thiruchitrambalam was met with resounding praise, winning her both the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress—Tamil and the National Film Award for Best Actress. Nithya Menen continues to inspire audiences across languages with her talent, commitment to layered roles, and a career built on both artistic integrity and audience appeal.