Introduction
Nithya Menon is a well-known Indian actress and playback singer who has carved a niche for herself in the film industry with her impeccable acting skills and charming personality. She has worked across multiple languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, earning accolades for her diverse roles. With a career spanning over a decade, Nithya Menon has established herself as a versatile performer known for choosing unconventional and strong characters.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Nithya Menon’s age, height, weight, affairs, net worth, career, and more.
Early Life and Background
Nithya Menon was born on April 8, 1988, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in arts and creativity. Unlike many actors, she did not initially aspire to enter the film industry. Instead, she dreamt of becoming a journalist. However, fate had different plans for her, and she soon found herself drawn toward acting.
She completed her schooling in Bangalore and later pursued a degree in Journalism from the Manipal Institute of Communication. While studying, she realized that she was more inclined toward storytelling through films rather than writing. This realization led her to explore a career in acting, and she later enrolled in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, to polish her acting skills.
Age, Height, and Weight
- Age: 35 years (as of 2023)
- Date of Birth: April 8, 1988
- Height: 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 54 kg (119 lbs)
Career Overview

Debut and Early Years
Nithya Menon made her acting debut as a child artist in the 1998 English film The Monkey Who Knew Too Much. However, her major breakthrough came in 2008 with the Kannada film 7 O’Clock, directed by Santosh Rai Pathaje. She played a supporting role in this film, which paved the way for her entry into the South Indian film industry.
Rise to Fame
Her first leading role was in the 2009 Malayalam film Aakasha Gopuram, alongside legendary actor Mohanlal. Though the film received mixed reviews, Nithya’s performance was well appreciated. She gained widespread recognition with her Telugu debut Ala Modalaindi (2011), which was a massive hit. Her natural acting style and on-screen chemistry with co-star Nani won hearts, making her a sought-after actress in Telugu cinema.
Notable Films and Achievements
Over the years, Nithya Menon has delivered several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Some of her notable works include:
- Malayalam: Ustad Hotel (2012), Bangalore Days (2014), OK Kanmani (2015)
- Telugu: Ishq (2012), Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde (2013), Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015)
- Tamil: Mersal (2017), Psycho (2020)
- Kannada: Myna (2013)
- Hindi: Mission Mangal (2019), where she shared screen space with Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, and Taapsee Pannu
Her performance in OK Kanmani, directed by Mani Ratnam, was particularly lauded for its refreshing take on modern relationships. She was also part of Mission Mangal, which was a massive box office success in Bollywood.
OTT Ventures
Nithya Menon successfully transitioned into the digital space with the Amazon Prime Video web series Breathe: Into the Shadows (2020), where she played a pivotal role alongside Abhishek Bachchan. Her performance received positive reviews, proving her adaptability to changing trends in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
Nithya Menen is a versatile Indian actress and playback singer known for her work across multiple film industries, including Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. Below is a table summarizing her filmography:
Year | Film Name | Character | Language | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Hanuman | Anja’s Sister | English | Child artist |
2001 | Choti Maa – Ek Anokha Bandhan | Koyna | Hindi | Child artist |
2005 | Seven O’ Clock | Anu | Kannada | |
2008 | Aakasha Gopuram | Hilda Varghese | Malayalam | |
2009 | Josh | Meera | Kannada | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada |
2009 | Vellathooval | Jiya | Malayalam | |
2009 | Kerala Cafe | Nithya | Malayalam | |
2009 | Angel John | Sofia | Malayalam | |
2010 | Apoorvaragam | Nancy | Malayalam | |
2010 | Anwar | Asna | Malayalam | |
2011 | Aidondla Aidu | Gowri | Kannada | |
2011 | Ala Modalaindi | Nithya | Telugu | Nandi Award for Best Actress; Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
2011 | Urumi | Chirakkal Bala | Malayalam | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam |
2011 | 180 | Vidya | Telugu | |
2011 | Nootrenbadhu | Vidya | Tamil | Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Actress |
2011 | Violin | Angel | Malayalam | |
2011 | Veppam | Revathy | Tamil | |
2011 | Makaramanju | Model | Malayalam | |
2012 | Ishq | Priya | Telugu | CineMAA Award for Best Actress (Jury) |
2012 | Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty | Manjula Ayyapan | Malayalam | |
2012 | Karmayogi | Moonumani | Malayalam | |
2012 | Ustad Hotel | Shahana | Malayalam | |
2012 | Doctor Innocent aanu | Anna | Malayalam | Extended cameo appearance |
2012 | Bachelor Party | Neethu | Malayalam | |
2012 | Poppins | Major Prathap Varma’s Wife | Malayalam | |
2013 | Okkadine | Shailaja | Telugu | |
2013 | Jabardasth | Saraswati | Telugu | |
2013 | Myna | Myna | Kannada | |
2013 | Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde | Shravani | Telugu | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
2014 | Malini 22 Palayamkottai | Malini | Tamil | |
2014 | Bangalore Days | Natasha | Malayalam | |
2014 | Malini 22 | Malini | Telugu | |
2014 | JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai | Nithya | Tamil | |
2014 | Yemito Ee Maaya | Nithya | Telugu | |
2014 | 100 Days of Love | Sheela | Malayalam | |
2015 | Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju | Nazeera | Telugu | Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu; Nandi Special Jury Award |
2015 | Kanchana 2 | Ganga | Tamil | |
2015 | O Kadhal Kanmani | Tara | Tamil | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil |
2015 | Rudhramadevi | Muktamba | Telugu | |
2016 | 24 | Priya | Tamil | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil |
2016 | Kotigobba 2 | Subha | Kannada | |
2016 | Iru Mugan | Halena | Tamil | |
2016 | Janatha Garage | Anu | Telugu | |
2017 | Mersal | Aishwarya | Tamil | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil |
2018 | Awe | Krishnaveni | Telugu | |
2018 | Praana | Tara Anuradha | Malayalam | |
2019 | Mission Mangal | Varsha Pillai | Hindi | |
2020 | Psycho | Kamala Das | Tamil | |
2021 | Ninnila Ninnila | Maya | Telugu | |
2021 | Skylab | Gauri | Telugu | Also producer |
2021 | Gamanam | Shailaputri Devi | Telugu | |
2022 | Bheemla Nayak | Suguna | Telugu | |
2022 | Thiruchitrambalam | Shobana | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Actress; Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil |
2022 | Wonder Women | Nora | English | |
2023 | Kolaambi | Aparna | Malayalam | |
2024 | Kadhalikka Neramillai | Anjali | Tamil | |
2025 | Raayan | TBA | Tamil | Filming |
Personal Life: Affairs and Relationships
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Nithya Menon has always maintained a low profile when it comes to her personal life. She prefers to keep her relationships away from the public eye. While there have been occasional rumors linking her to co-stars, she has never publicly confirmed any romantic relationships.
In an interview, she once stated that she believes in genuine relationships and values her independence. Her focus remains on her career and passion for cinema.
Nithya Menen is a versatile Indian actress and playback singer who has made significant contributions across various film industries, including Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. Below is a curated list of some of her notable films:
-
“Hanuman” (1998): Nithya made her acting debut as a child artist in this English film, portraying Munna.
-
“7 O’ Clock” (2006): She played Anu in this Kannada film, marking her debut in a lead role.
Breakthrough and Recognition
-
“Ala Modalaindi” (2011): Her role as Nithya in this Telugu romantic comedy earned her the Nandi Award for Best Actress.
-
“Urumi” (2011): In this Malayalam historical drama, she portrayed Chirakkal Bala/Daisy da Cunha, receiving critical acclaim.en.wikipedia.org+1es.wikipedia.org+1
-
“180” (2011): Nithya played Vidya in this bilingual romantic drama, released in both Tamil and Telugu.
Notable Performances
-
“Ishq” (2012): Her portrayal of Priya in this Telugu romantic drama was well-received.
-
“Ustad Hotel” (2012): In this Malayalam film, she played Shahana, contributing to the film’s success.
-
“Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde” (2013): Her role as Shravani/Bangaram in this Telugu romantic comedy earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.
-
“Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju” (2015): Nithya’s performance as Nazeera Khanum in this Telugu romantic drama garnered her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu.en.wikipedia.org
-
“O Kadhal Kanmani” (2015): She portrayed Tara Kalingarayar in this Tamil romantic film directed by Mani Ratnam, receiving widespread acclaim.en.wikipedia.org
-
“Mersal” (2017): In this Tamil action thriller, she played Aishwarya Vetrimaaran, earning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil.en.wikipedia.org
Recent Works
-
“Mission Mangal” (2019): Nithya made her Hindi film debut as Varsha Pillai in this science drama based on India’s Mars mission.en.wikipedia.org
-
“Bheemla Nayak” (2022): She played Suguna Nayak in this Telugu action drama, which was a box office success.en.wikipedia.org
-
“Thiruchitrambalam” (2022): Her portrayal of Shobana in this Tamil romantic drama earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.en.wikipedia.org
Nithya Menen’s diverse filmography showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft, making her a prominent figure in Indian cinema.
Net Worth and Earnings
Nithya Menon’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million (INR 33 crore) as of 2023. She has amassed her wealth through:
- Acting in films and web series
- Brand endorsements
- Playback singing
- Other business ventures
Her fee per movie reportedly ranges between INR 1.5 to 3 crores, depending on the project. Additionally, she has endorsed brands and appeared in commercials, further adding to her income.
Awards and Recognitions
Nithya Menon’s talent has been acknowledged with several prestigious awards. Some of the key awards she has received include:
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Telugu) – Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde (2013)
- Nandi Award for Best Actress – Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015)
- SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Ishq (2012), Ustad Hotel (2012)
Her performances have consistently been appreciated by both critics and audiences alike, making her one of the most respected actresses in the industry.
Singing Career
Apart from acting, Nithya Menon is also a talented playback singer. She has sung in multiple languages, showcasing her melodious voice in several films. Some of her popular songs include:
- “Payasa” (Kannada film – Aidondla Aidu)
- “Ammammo Ammo” (Telugu film – Ala Modalaindi)
- “Oh Priya Priya” (Telugu film – Ishq)
Her singing ability has further endeared her to fans, proving her versatility in the entertainment world.
Interesting Facts about Nithya Menon
- Nithya initially wanted to become a journalist but later shifted to acting.
- She is known for her outspoken and independent personality.
- She doesn’t believe in following trends and chooses films based on strong scripts rather than commercial viability.
- She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
- Nithya is multilingual and is fluent in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English.
- She dislikes being typecast and prefers experimenting with roles.
Conclusion
Nithya Menon has successfully built a career that stands out in the Indian film industry. From her early days as a journalist-in-the-making to becoming one of the most versatile actresses, she has proved her mettle with powerful performances across multiple languages.
With a rich filmography, a successful foray into the digital space, and her passion for music, Nithya Menon continues to inspire aspiring actors and entertain audiences worldwide. As she keeps experimenting with new roles and challenges, fans eagerly await her upcoming projects.