Nazriya Fahadh: ‘I’m In A Secure Space In My Career And Am Comfortable Enough To Experiment With Other Mediums’ (EXCLUSIVE)

An award-winning Malayalam star, who has forayed into Tamil and Telugu cinema with multifaceted performances, Nazriya Fahadh has ruled the box office with big-ticket hits like “Neram,” “Bangalore Days,” “Ohm Shanthi Oshaana” and  “Sookshamadarshini” in her illustrious career. After a brief year long hiatus last year, the versatile actress is back in business with two films, “Suriya47” in Tamil and an untitled Telugu film. In an exclusive chat with Variety India, Nazriya Fahadh opens up about her foray into films, on making informed choices and the power of going with the flow in this topsy-turvy world of cinema.

You have two films lined up and are also producing a movie. What stages are they at?

They’re all in the starting stages of the shoot. I’m working on a Malayalam film with Tovino Thomas and a Tamil film “Suriya47” (working title). I can’t really speak much about my roles right now. All I can tell you is that “Suriya47” is a comedy thriller by “Aavesham” director Jithu Madhavan. This is my first film with Suriya Sir. Earlier, we were supposed to do two films together, but it just didn’t work out. “Deux” is the sequel to “Bachelor Party.” It is a film I am producing but am not acting in.

You won acting awards for ‘Sookshamadarshini’ (2024). What attracted you to the role?  

I realised I never had a pattern or a formula. Every time, there has been a different reason for accepting an offer. With “Sookshamadarshini,” I really wanted to tell that story, despite knowing that it was not an easy subject to probably pull off in Kerala. At the same time, I was curious to see how it would be perceived by the audience.

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Isn’t the Malayalam audience far more progressive when it comes to appreciating all kinds of cinema?

No doubt they are much more evolved. But I was apprehensive that this subject may not fit in with the Kerala audience. When a superstar like Mammootty does a film like “Kadal” and it is accepted by the audience, it gives the rest of the filmmakers and actors hope that we too can touch upon sensitive subjects that will be well received. It is also heartening to see that the younger generation is more open to progressive cinema as long as the story is well narrated.

You seem to have come a full circle with Tamil Cinema. After your Malayalam debut in ‘Maad Dad,’ you immediately signed three films, ‘Neram,’ ‘Raja Rani’ and ‘Vaayai Moodi Pesavum’ in Tamil in 2013. What was the reason behind this decision?

Nothing was pre-planned. It just so happened that I got these offers right after the release of “Maad Dad.” They were good roles, so I decided to accept them. I also happen to speak Tamil so that made it easy. It is only after the success of these films that the Malayalam industry started perceiving me as ‘heroine’ material.

You’ve had the honour of debuting as a child star with Mammootty in ‘Palanku’ in 2006. You played his daughter in this film. You have also played Mohanlal’s daughter in ‘Oru Naal Varum’ in 2010. What was the experience of working with these superstars?

Having grown up in a Malayali household, I was obviously aware of their stature right from childhood. And like everybody else, I was also a huge fan of both these legends. But having said that, I was not overwhelmed by their status. I was only 11 or 12 years old when I did my first film with Mammootty uncle. I realized the opportunity I have been served with. Also, I had done some television before my film debut so facing the camera was not really a new experience for me. Later on, as I grew up, I realised that I had subconsciously picked up certain factors from them like, be it their discipline, focus or passion for cinema and their dedication to their craft.  I remember, it was Ramzan and Mammootty uncle was fasting all through the shoot. I think moments like these left a deep impact.  The way these superstars treat every scene was inspiring. They would sit down and jam with the team, talking to the writers, their co-stars before the shot. They were aware of their surroundings and the kind of lighting used. And this has stayed with me till date.

When and how did you discover your love for acting?

I did my schooling in Dubai where I participated in many stage shows. A prominent director, Blessy sir had visited Dubai for an audition for his film “Thanmatra” with Mohanlal uncle. I got selected for the role, but it was in the midst of my school schedule, so my parents were more comfortable with me shooting during my holidays. So, it didn’t work out then. But Blessy sir assured that he would sign me for his next film. I thought he was just saying this because he did not want to disappoint me as a child. But exactly, one year later when he did his next film, he actually called me. So that’s how I did “Palunku” with Mammootty uncle. So yes, I am blessed that my first film was with him.

You made your debut a a leading lady with ‘Maad Dad’ in 2013. How did you get this offer?

I had done a music video, “Yuvh” with Nithin Paul in 2012.  One particular song “Nenje Ezhu” become a huge hit.  That was the first time the local audience had seen me as an adult. Soon after, I was approached by director Revathy S Varmha, who cast me as a lead actress in “Maad Dad.” It was an interesting experience. I was still in school when I acted in that film. But more than that, I started taking my work my seriously while shooting for the Tamil film “Neram.” That was also a very hugely successful film. We were all freshers working together. We didn’t eeven ae a proper crew. It was just, like, a few boys and me and a small camera. We would literally step out, and if we spotted a space we liked, we should shoot there. But obviously, there was a screenplay and a director. It was our first big break and when it released and did well, it felt good.

Between 2013 to 2014, you did six films back-to-back. ‘Neram’ and ‘Raja Rani’ (2013) and ‘Vaayai Moodi Pesavum,’ ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ and ‘Bangalore Days’ (2014) became superhits. Would you call that the golden period in your career?

Yes, I worked nonstop for these two years prior to my wedding in 2014. People assumed that I have been around longer. My success was a combination of good luck and choosing the right scripts. For me, the role was important. It did not matter whether the director was new or established.  In fact, most of my films that have done well have been with first time directors be it ‘Neram,’ ‘Raja Rani’ or ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana.’

If you had to pick one film from this basket that stands out, which one would it be?

All of them are really special, but I will pick “Ohm Shanthi Oshaana.” Prior to the release of the film, for the first time I felt stressed. It was a path-breaking film in Malayalam cinema where the love story was conveyed from a woman’s perspective. We are used to seeing a man chase in woman in films, but in this movie, it was the other way around. It also had a female voiceover. I was worried because my voice was continuously in the background and my face was virtually in every scene. My fear was if the audience rejects me, the film will not work. But when it was a success, I felt validated as an actor as it gave my producers the confidence that I could carry a film on my shoulders.

You met your husband, Fahadh Faasil on the sets of ‘Bangalore Days.’ Any special memories associated with the movie?

Fahadh and I were supposed to do a few films before that, but our dates didn’t work out So when this film together finally happened, he was the only co-star I did not know on the set. I had worked with Dulquer and Nivin before and we were all very comfortable with each other. So, Fahadh was the only new person for me in that space. Initially we were very formal with each other and did not speak beyond exchanging hellos. But I think it worked for the characters we were playing in the film. But later on, when Fahadh and I became friendly, then it became a challenge to maintain that onscreen distance that was required between the two characters, Das and Divya. It got a little confusing. Fahadh is a method actor, so even though we had started dating each other, he would suddenly stop talking to me once he got into his costume. I would be like, “What’s up with you?” That was quite funny.

You also won an award for this film. In fact, you won several prestigious awards. How important is winning an award to you?  

I appreciate awards because I believe it is all connected. I feel these organisations are not going to give an award to somebody who was not appreciated by the audience.  It is the best validation for all the hard work you put in. And no matter how many awards you win, you are being rewarded for a different act each time. Having said that, there have been times when I have wondered why I didn’t receive a particular award. But when I make an effort to watch that film or performance, I have only appreciated the effort and felt that the actor deserved it. And that way, I don’ t feel disappointed.  

In 2014 post your wedding, you took a four-year break from films. Why was that?

It was an organic choice to take a break after my wedding. I had worked non-stop for two years before we got married. I was doing an insane amount of work and shooting back-to-back. So, it was a very natural decision to relax and enjoy my married life. But people incorrectly assumed that my husband was responsible for this break. But that is not true. In fact, one year after marriage, Fahadh was encouraging me to get back to work. But it is not like I was getting any exciting offers at that time.

After a four-year hiatus, you signed “Koode.” What drew you to that role?

Anjali Menon, who had directed “Bangalore Days,” offered me this film. Both of us got back together after a break as she was also chilling like me. I instantly agreed because I have worked with her. Besides, the script was exciting. I was doing a role  far removed from the conventional role of a wife. I felt that the audience would see me in a different light as it was not a mature character.  The audience had not seen me in a role like this before. In fact, there was a lot of curiosity about what I would be doing next post my marriage.

Getting back to your marriage with Fahadh, how did you know that he was the one for you?

This is the question everybody keeps asking me, and even till today, I’m like, you can just ask me, “Do you regret it or not?” I obviously don’t, touch-wood. Fahadh and I did not court for too long. We just knew each other for a few months. We were very open with each other knew that we’re not going to change each other one bit. We are good friends and can talk about anything without fear or being judged. Our friendship just evolved on its own. We had also been exposed to each other’s negative sides, and we were okay with it. There is nothing we would like to change about each other. I remember when I was getting married, my father asked me if I wanted to postpone the wedding as I was very young and it would be understood by everyone. But I was very clear about wanting to get married at that time.  

You’ve managed to achieve a lot of success in your career despite the breaks in your career. As an actor, does this help; because you come back with a more energized and fresher perspective?

Taking breaks certainly helps an actor  because when you’re continuously doing films; at some point, you stop enjoying it as much as you did earlier. For me, it’s not like I was getting a lot of amazing scripts either. I’m at a phase where I am only seeking to work in good films and not act purely for the sake of acting. I’m not chasing to be anywhere, am pretty confident and chilled out person who always believes there is a tomorrow, and you can pick it up from scratch.

You started a production company with your husband. How did it come about?

My husband and his friends like Nithin and Anwar Rasheed have started this company called Fahadh Faasil and Friends and I got pulled into it. Fahadh didn’t want to really get involved with production, while I am very good at it and so he asked me to jump on board. I love it because as a producer you have to understand the creative elements as well. And since we are actors, there is a better understanding of art and how to strike a balance between the two.
 

In April 2025, you posted an emotional message talking about your mental health challenges, which came as a suprise to your fans. What prompted you to do that?

Once my mental health post came out many people told me that I should not have posted it. It was not an impulsive decision. I’ve always been a very open person, so it’s only fair for me to show the others what was happening in my life. I came from a space where I wanted people to feel like it’s okay to go through challenges. Even today, friends look at me and wonder that since I was so chirpy, how could I have a mental health challenge.  Even the happiest of people can through their lows. It is very normal. And when I posted my thoughts, I was not thinking of myself as an actor, but more as a human and it was so relieving to showcase my authentic emotions. I just wanted to be honest with my fans.

You have also ventured into the OTT space with ‘Madras Mystery.’ What made you make that shift?

The script was based on a real-life story. We shot it two years back and it is not out yet. Often, I am asked about what made me say yes to this project. For me, it is just about the story. The medium or platform does not matter if I love the subject. Currently, I’m in a very secure space in my career and I am comfortable enough to experiment with other mediums. That may not have been the case earlier.