NAVYA NAIR

Ever since I got married, my acting career has taken a backseat.

I know very well that one cannot become an author by just writing a book.

I got an opportunity to do varied roles so early in my career.

After completing 'Aadum Koothu,' I was assigned to act with Cheran again for 'Mayakkannadi.' I learnt a lot working with him.

None of us are alien to horrific news stories that appear every day about crimes of many colors, especially child trafficking and abuse. As a mom and an extremely emotional person, they have a long-lasting effect on me.

I do glamorous roles only when the script demands it and that too with limitations.

I'm not an ambitious person.

I am always for change. But I believe in slow and inevitable change and not a forced one, all of a sudden.

Though I love cinema, I had never thought of becoming an actress.

So much of grandeur and richness in songs unnerve me.

The workout regimen I follow works for each body part like arms, legs, core muscles, biceps and triceps. And, I work out daily for nearly one and a half hours.

Sibi Malayali sir saw a picture of me in a Malayalam daily and felt I was suited for a role in his movie 'Ishtam.' My parents were opposed to it as they felt I was too young, but I persisted and prevailed.

I am happy to get good offers. I would make full use of them.

I do films in which I have an important character.

Before motherhood, I had a feeling that unmarried women are the strongest. However, that changed after my son was born.

Actually, I try different kinds of exercise. I do functional training, Zumba, classical dance and walking.

I didn't take up 'Chinnanchiru Kiliye' thinking I should continue on these lines from now on.

I give importance only to the story of a movie.

When I was busy with movies, I had little time for dance.

The audiences have a certain perspective of every heroine and one should not go against it.

After the release of movies like 'Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy' and 'Amirtham,' I was branded as an actress who can do only homely roles.

Thanks to Cheran, I play a city girl in 'Mayakkannadi.' I appear in trendy costumes and have more scope to perform.

I feel very happy when people ask me about my fitness mantra.

Fortunately, the films I do not require too much of glamour. Those are the kinds of roles I'm looking for.

Before marriage, I was a very shy person with mood swings. But, now I can balance that and have become a better and stronger person.