Nimisha Sajayan has broken all stereotypes and has won millions of hearts with her acting prowess. Nurturing celluloid dreams even as a kid, the girl-next-door has come a long way being part of some meaningful cinema. Her characters in every film that she has played with so much depth have made every film critic sit up and take notice. The award-winning actress has been a part of some of the most interesting and intriguing films of 2023 in the South and is all excited about 2024 for many more such exciting projects.
- Please tell us about your growing up days. What was your dream career in your childhood days?
I’m born and based in Mumbai. I also did my schooling in Mumbai, so Mumbai is very special to me. My dream career has always been acting. I remember I was very little in my second standard when my mom used to take me for auditions. Acting has always been a dream career. - Were there any kind of apprehensions entering the field of cinema? When and how did the journey towards being an actor happen?
There was no such kind of fear as I always wanted to be an actor, so I’m very grateful that I started my journey with Dileesh Pothan, Rajeev Ravi and Fahadh Faasil. My first director was Dileesh Pothan and my first DOP was Rajeev Ravi and both of them were such wonderful people. I auditioned for that character and the director was skeptical as my Malayalam was not so fluent then as I’m born and brought up in Mumbai. I remember he asked me when we first met – You’re not a Malayali and I replied to him no sir I am but it’s not fluent yet. But I worked on it and the film did well. I’m so glad that it all went so well. - How has your experience been working in the South Indian film industry?
Mollywood is more like home as I’ve done most of my projects in the Malayalam film industry. I’m very comfortable here on the sets. You just walk on to a set and you know everyone there. It’s been six years that I’m doing films in Malayalam, but after Chithha and Jigarthanda (her Tamil films released in 2023), the response that I got from the critics and the love that I received from the fans and the audience, I now feel that Tamil is also like a new home now. - How challenging was it initially and how did you overcome the challenges?
Language was the only barrier that I had. I mastered Malayalam soon, but now my Tamil is not very fluent. I’m trying my level best to dub for the characters that I’m playing. I’m going to master my Tamil soon and want to be fluent in it. It’s always better to know a language well as it stays in your head. If you know a language fluently it helps in dialogue delivery. That’s the only challenge for me but soon I’ll be fluent. My Hindi is fluent and I’m now doing a Bollywood project. - What have been some of the biggest highpoints of your journey so far?
When you sign a film you just want to do that film really well. So, when the film works out and the people talk about your character, you know you’ve done it right. Like everyone was talking about Chithha, a socially relevant film and it was a hit. When my fans notice my character and the social message that it brings out, that gives me a kick. Also, The Great Indian Kitchen had a socially relevant message and the entire world was talking about it. Also Nayattu. So there are many such of my films that have touched people’s hearts. When people tell me they relate to me and text me that they were touched by my character, it feels fabulous. - What does family mean to you?
I’m very close to my mother. And my chechi (sister) too. Family is everything to me. Whatever I have got, all my success is because of my mum. She has been a constant support throughout, no matter what I’m going through. Whatever I’m today as a person is because of her. When people say you have strong opinions about everything, I know it’s because of my mom. She has always said that you have to stand for yourself. No one is going to stand for you. That has made me a stronger woman today and the decisions that I’m taking is because of her. After every film I walk upto her and ask her if the film worked for her. She’s my best and biggest critic that I have in my life. Initially she tells me loved it, but after a point she comes and tells me that this didn’t work for me or how I could have worked on it. And that suggestion is not only cinema related but also life related. I love her. - What are your other passions and hobbies?
I sketch, so whenever I get time I love to scribble and doodle some random stuff. I’m also a Taekwondo player. I’m a 1st dan international black belt. I’m a state level champion and have participated for the state on a National level. - What is your vision and dream in this field now?
I want to play some amazing characters and to be a part of some good content and socially relevant films where people are able to connect. I just want to be a part of some incredible films. Films like Chithha will be evergreen. Even if you watch it after many years, it will still be relevant. These are timeless and I want to be a part of such good cinema and work with some amazing directors. - What are the changes you want to bring about in the film industry?
Right now the change that I’m seeing is that if one is talented and if your personality suits a character, the directors are definitely going to approach you. It’s all about talent and not about other factors and I’m happy with that kind of change. The films that I have been doing have all been characters that I have loved playing. - Tell us about your experience working in The Great Indian Kitchen? Also, some interesting anecdotes from behind the scenes of Tamil movies Mission: Chapter 1 – Achcham Enbathu Illaiyae, Chittha and Jigarthanda.
The Great Indian Kitchen has been very close to my heart and is a very special film. I loved the film, the entire crew and the storyline. The acceptance that I received from The Great Indian Kitchen was very overwhelming. At one point I got very emotional as I wasn’t expecting this kind of love and affection. I have no words to express that feeling. Thanks to the audience for so much love and all the heartfelt compliments. I was flooded with calls, messages and social media comments just didn’t stop coming. That was the point I knew that I was on the right path. Chithha and Jigarthanda. My first Tamil film was Chittha. Arun sir used to help me with the dialogues and Sidhu anna too. Arun sir is a very hyper active person and is also a very creative person. He’s a perfectionist. He’s very clear and specific about what he wants and how he wants it. He will come and explain every single detail and is also an amazing person. I have learnt so much from him. Jigarthanda was a super fun set. It was fun becuase of Raghava anna (Lawrence) and SJ Suryah anna. I was very close to both of them. We were shooting in a forest hilly area where there was no network and we had nothing to do. So after shoot we used to sit together, laugh and joke around. Mission Chapter set was also fun. We had fun with Arun Vijay, Amy Jackson and Abi Hassan. We shot in London for almost six days. AL Vijay sir is an amazing director and an amazing human being, just like Arun Vijay anna. - What kind of a person are you in your personal space? How do you like to spend your me-time?
I sketch, watch a lot of films, listen to music. I also like to paint bottles, make dream catchers. I’m a very happy and chill person. - How often do you take holidays and travel? What are your preferred holiday destinations?
I normally get to travel a lot due to my work. I shuttle between Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi. I love travelling and take holidays, but there’s so much work that it’s not easy to take off. But given a chance I would love to take off to a very peaceful place somewhere, where there’s no chaos or traffic. I love to spend time alone with nature. - When you sign on a film role what do you see in whatever you associate yourself with?
For films it’s not about the screen space for me, but about the impact my character could bring, and definitely the script and the director. I like to do films that are socially relevant. I’m also trying to do some of the commercial cinema also, because as an actor one must explore everything. But personally, if you were to ask me what I want to do, then I would say I would want to create good content and be a part of some very meaningful cinema. - How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I try to spend some time with my family and friends when I’m with them. When I’m at a shoot I’m always engrossed at my work. I think I have a good balance of both. - Any memorable fan message you’d like to share?
There were multiple messages I got after The Great Indian Kitchen. There were many women who wrote to saying they could relate to my character and that they loved it. Now after Chithha and Jigarthanda again I have received some really sweet messages from my Tamil audience. They are all extremely adorable and are like energy boosters. No matter whatever is going on in your life anyone who reads these messages will feel good. When they tell you that they are in love with your work and that you’re doing really great, that just keeps you going and inspires you to be a part of more such good films. Thank you to all those people who wrote to me. - Would you like to recall some fun incident from any of your shoots with some popular actors down south?
There have been so many fun incidents. I’ve worked with fun actors like Jojo George, Biju Menon, Chacko, Raghav and so many amazing actors. - Who are your close friends from the industry?
My close friend from the industry is Anu Sithara. We met during the shoot of Oru Kuprasidha Payyan and I’m very close to her. She’s more like an elder sister to me. I’m also very close to director Sreejith. I call him Chettan (brother) and another person I’m close to is Madhu Neelakandan, who is a cinematographer. He’s more like a guru and a guide to me. I also call him Chettan. - What has been one of your favourite roles that you have played so far?
The Great Indian Kitchen’s character. Then I also liked the cop lady Sunitha I played in Nayattu. I also liked my Sreeja character in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and then Shakthi in Chithha and Malaiyarasi in Jigarthanda DoubleX. There are many more like Malik in Rosline and also Hanna Elizabeth in Oru Kuprasidha Payyan. It’s difficult to pick one. All these characters are very close to me. I’ve played some amazing women on screen. - What are the projects you’re working on currently?
My Tamil film Mission: Chapter 1 – Achcham Enbathu Illaiyae is getting released in January 2024 and I’m working on DNA in Tamil with director Nelson Venkatesan opposite Atharvaa. I’m also doing one very good series in Mumbai. Apart from that I’m also doing a web series in Tamil. - What is your view about films in the OTT world of today? Also your views on social media and how much time do you spend on it?
I’m very happy with the whole new wave of OTT that started during lockdown. Most people didn’t even know there are so many languages – Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada in South Indian films. Now people know and say it’s a Tamil film or a Malayalam or a Telugu film and people who don’t understand the language are also watching these films and appreciating them. The Great Indian Kitchen was an OTT release and people watched and it was talked about worldwide. I’m so glad that it reached such a large audience. After all, you make films to reach the right audience and for them to watch it. I don’t spend much time on social media. I just upload my picture or video sometimes and leave it. It’s all about Instagram for me, I don’t go on Facebook or Twitter. - Please share some of the most romantic things anyone has done for you? And your views on love?
Other than my parents no one really has done anything romantic for me. Love is a great feeling to have. I find these handwritten letters very romantic. Someone has taken an effort to write so they’re very precious. - How much of the other south Indian languages do you know fluently besides Malayalam? The South film industry has given you love and affection? What do you have to say about the South Indian film industry?
I know Malayalam and I’m learning Tamil. The love that I got in 2023 has made my year. All the love and support from the Tamil audience has been incredible. - How would you like to describe your fashion statement?
Nothing matters to me other than comfort. - Your fitness and beauty regime?
I do Taekwondo and Kathak. I don’t overdo anything to my skin, it’s all about moisturiser and sunscreen. - Indian models are popular internationally for their dusky skin which is so loved globally, but there’s still a large section in India that believes in white skin being beautiful. Your views?
People believe that as they’re conditioned to believe so. It’s going to take some time for them to come out of that mindset. Thankfully no one has ever said that you’re dark skinned. I have never felt any kind of discrimination in the industry. I agree that it’s high time now that people come out of talking about dark or white skin. It should be not be about the skin colour, but about the character. There are some people who enter a room and it just lights up. So we should focus on people and their personalities and not their skin colour. - Do you think the industry sometimes tends to stereotype actors in certain categories for certain kinds of roles? What can one do to break these stereotypes?
I’m glad that I’m trying to bring a change in the portrayal of women in the industry and break the stereotypes that women have to always be dolled up. I’m doing so many projects back to back and slowly people are seeing a change in the industry. You have to find a balance when choosing characters. I’m very lucky that in Tamil itself I got to play two extreme characters – one was Shakthi, a calm and composed character and the other was Malaiyarasi, who was all out there. I know it’s difficult to find different characters, but as an actor there’s no growth if you don’t challenge yourself with new characters everytime, otherwise you will get stereotyped.
RAPIDFIRE
- Your dream role?
My dream role is to play a negative shade. I want to play the role of a villain in the future. - Dream director?
Ranjith sir, Vetrimaaran sir and Gnanavel sir. - Favourite actor and actress?
Vijay Sethupathi and in Hindi its Gaurav Adarsh and Manoj Bajpayee.
Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Sai Pallavi. - Your pet peeve?
Last moment changes annoy me. I like to plan and make it happen. - Some essentials that are always in your bag?
Credit cards, cash, sunscreen, lip balm. - Yoga or gym?
Taekwondo and Kathak. - Indian food or global cuisine?
Indian. I love north Indian food and some south Indian dishes too. - Closest friends from the industry and outside?
Anu Sithara, Madhu chetan and Sreejith chetan and from outside the industry its Vishnu. - Beaches or hills?
Mountains. - Veg or non veg?
Non veg. - Fame or money?
With fame comes money. - Indian wear or Western wear?
Indian Saree. - Straight hair or curls?
Curls. - The last good film/web series you watched?
Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case and The Railway Men on Netflix. - First thing you notice about a person?
Eyes. - One thing that makes you feel beautiful?
Being myself, not being pretentious, not hiding anything and enjoying the moment. - Politics, religion, business, sports or entertainment?
Entertainment, politics and sports. - Your most treasured childhood memory?
Going for the auditions as a kid with my mom. - How would you define love?
Comes in many forms. My amma and my pet dog Koko. - The top three things you’re looking for in a life partner?
Trust, Respect and Understanding. - What’s your idea of a perfect date?
Art gallery, historical place or a museum and good food. - Your first love?
My Mom and cinema.