“I have been waiting for good work, and when 35 came my way, I could not let it go. It would have been an injustice had I not taken it up,” emphatically states actor Nivetha Thomas during an interview at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad. Directed by debutant Nanda Kishore Emani, 35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu (not a small story), set to release in theaters on September 6, is a family drama situated in the lineage-rich town of Tirupati.
Nivetha was last seen in a Telugu film with Saakini Daakini (2022). She also appeared in the Malayalam film Enthada Sajji in 2023, marking her return to the Malayalam film industry after a nine-year hiatus. As the conversation veers towards the scarcity of good roles across languages, Nivetha calmly contemplates before responding, “People think I am difficult to please, which is not true. I love engaging with different genres through narrations and scripts. Often, I come across fascinating scripts but pull back if they don’t realize their full potential. I am open to working on five or six films a year, but each must be distinct.”
A look into Nivetha’s extensive filmography, starting from her debut as a child at eight years old, reveals her work in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil films. She confirms that neither fame nor the countless spotlights are the motivators for her career choices. Balancing life as an architect and an actor, she admits that there have been moments of concern about audience memory and visibility.
“This thought has crossed my mind,” she confesses, adding that she values a healthy work-life balance, even in terms of social media visibility. “When there’s no movie update, I avoid posting routine images. I believe people’s time isn’t meant to be wasted on mundane things. However, visibility is essential. I wish I could do more films at a quicker pace,” she remarks thoughtfully.
The release of 35’s promos brought a deluge of messages from well-wishers and social media interactions. “People told me they are happy to see me in a new film. It moved me to tears and made me reflect on whether I’ve set my standards too high, possibly missing out on more films. Maybe I should learn by making a few mistakes,” she says.
After the release of Brochevarura, feedback from fans solidified her reputation as an actor who makes wise choices. “People said they’d watch a film just because I’m in it. This trust made me more responsible and cautious. I wanted perfection in everything. For Saakini Daakini, I gave my all.
. It took time to come to terms with its underwhelming reception,” she acknowledges.
When asked if she’s in a transition phase, Nivetha agrees. “Transitioning from a child actor to a leading lady happened quickly, without much thought. I enjoyed every bit of it, including my studies.” Even today, she views stardom and celebrity status as burdensome. “I aim to transition into intriguing roles. Producing films for compelling scripts intrigues me, but negotiating distribution and release remains daunting.”
In Nanda Kishore Emani, Nivetha found an honest storyteller. Portraying Saraswati, a mother of two, she felt no hesitation in taking up the role. “It’s a captivating character – a woman who hasn’t passed 10th grade, whose world revolves around her family.”
Impressed by the script’s details, she recounts, “Everything, down to the door handle shaped like a veena and the colors of her sari, was in the script. We even discussed if she would break her ‘madi’ practices (customs) in an emotional moment,” she reveals.
Nivetha emphasizes that 35 avoids preachiness, stirring memories of her mother’s sacrifices. “When I began acting in the fourth grade, my mom left her job as a nurse to support me, never once complaining. I only realized its value later.”
The film also reunites Nivetha with Gautami Tadimella, following their collaboration in Papanasam. “In 35, Gautami ma’am represents an urban woman. Our characters converse about self-dignity, reflecting their diverse life experiences. Gautami ma’am never undermines a less experienced co-star. She brings subtle characteristics to her roles, like wearing her bulky personal watch instead of a typical slim one.”
The cast, including Nivetha, underwent dialect coaching in Tirupati Telugu, ensuring authenticity. “We had tuitions at 7 am, facilitated by Prashant, who prepared training modules and a book. We learned phonetics and syntax, and how the dialect uniquely blends with Tamil influences,” she explains, noting the significance of achieving ease with the dialect for sync sound recording.
Wrapping up, Nivetha shares that 35 features over 60 children and promises to put smiles on the audience’s faces. “If I could, I’d personally request everyone to watch it in theaters with their families. There’s something magical about seeing relatable, personal stories on the big screen,” she concludes passionately.
