‘I know the real me, but I choose to keep it private,’ Navya Nair opens up

Navya Nair is making a comeback through her latest release, ‘Pathirathri’. This time, she takes on a role she has never played before. She plays a police officer and sports a strikingly different look on screen. The eloquent Navya is the one people are familiar with, not someone who remains silent. This interview is a journey through the most intimate corners of her heart.

Q. Have you ever wondered who Navya Nair really is?
My real name is Dhanya Veena. The surname Veena comes from my mother. I became Navya for cinema. Yet, many people still call me by the name of my character from Nandanam, Balamani. I often ask myself — who am I?

It’s a profound question, one that many struggle to answer. It’s for others to assess us. The real me is someone who emerges through the experiences of those who know me closely. Many may have understood me differently, and that doesn’t necessarily mean they understood me accurately.

But I know the real me — almost. Yet, I never reveal that. It’s the deepest privacy I choose to protect. There are people who claim to know me well. But there are windows within me that remain unopened even to them. Those are the windows I prefer to open for myself. Then there’s the widely known version of me — the one seen through the characters I’ve portrayed and the image society has formed from my many interviews.

Q. The name of your dance school, Matangi, is somewhat mesmerising…
To be honest, Matangi is my world now. I cannot be an actor all 365 days. I prefer to take on only those characters that truly capture my imagination. The screenplay must offer scope for performance. I didn’t want to waste the rest of my time, and that’s when I decided to take dance more seriously.

Dance has been my passion from the very beginning. I perform in many stage shows, and I felt that opening a dance school would enrich that experience even further. So, I established a dance school named Matangi, adjoining my house at Padamugal. The response was phenomenal. Many children are studying there, and now I’m preparing to expand its operations to Dubai.

Dance means different things to different people. For me, it is as essential as the air I breathe — something that reaffirms my existence. Even if I end up with no films tomorrow, I’m certain dance will still be there. I spend most of my time in that world of stage performances and the dance school. That’s why I share a special bond with dance. Beyond being a livelihood, it offers me a divine sense of expression and self-realisation.

Q. It is known that you are in love with books and have even written one.
I enjoy reading whenever I have free time. That doesn’t mean I’m a voracious reader, but I’m curious about books that others recommend as good reads. Among the books I’ve read, I fell in love with Oru Sankeerthanam Pole. I was swept away by the language and narrative beauty of the novel. Basheer and Madhavikutty are my favourites among the writers I’ve read — their writing styles are truly inimitable.

Basically, I’m hardly a writer. Under particular circumstances, I happened to write a book titled Navyarasangal. When I was approached for an interview by a magazine, I loved their concept — Navarasas and me. The piece grew lengthy as I explained just one rasa. Eventually, it was turned into a column and published in the same magazine. When it received a warm response from readers, publishers came forward to turn it into a book. Sugathakumari teacher released the book, and Manju Warrier received it. It was the first public event Manju chechi attended after her marriage.

Q. You once shared your dream of directing a movie.
Rather than treating it merely as a profession or considering myself only as an actor, I am deeply passionate about cinema. I always try to watch as many movies as possible in theatres. If that doesn’t work out, I make sure to watch them on OTT platforms. I take note of new themes, innovative treatments, and evolving methods of acting. If circumstances permit, I would love to write a screenplay and direct it. But it must be a subject that truly excites me. I had attempted to direct a film earlier, but it didn’t work out due to various reasons.

Q. Your sudden appearance with the Prime Minister after being identified with Left politics has stirred quite a controversy.
Basically, my parents are affiliated with Left politics. As a family, we were influenced by Communist ideology — perhaps because we were born in Alappuzha, carrying the legacy of Punnapra-Vayalar. It’s true that I was influenced by the Left during my formative years. But that doesn’t mean I hold blind faith in any political party. I have personal relationships with people across the political spectrum.

I’m close enough to call Pinarayi Vijayan sir Vijayan uncle, and his wife Kamala aunty. I share a very warm relationship with their family. I was chosen by Kairali Channel to interview him and his family, and uncle also inaugurated my YouTube channel. At the same time, I have a good relationship with Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala. Leaders like G Karthikeyan, M K Muneer, and V Muraleedharan attended my book release function. I express my opinions based on perspectives, not the colour of a flag.

However, I’ve often felt that our society can be quite narrow-minded. The same people who labelled me a “commie” for attending a function with Pinarayi later called me a “sanghi” when I performed at an event attended by Modiji. As an artist, I respect all organisations and acknowledge their relevance. I attended the Prime Minister’s function as a dancer — it wasn’t a political event. The Prime Minister of a country belongs to all its people. How can that be politically coloured?

Q. You have often sounded philosophical in many interviews.
Four decades of life have given me new insights, just like anyone else. I share many thoughts based on that conviction. I’m not sure if they can be called philosophical. Personally, I don’t consider myself perfect. Like everyone else, I have my own shortcomings and flaws. But at the very least, I try to be honest with myself.

It seems no one has truly understood me. I haven’t fully opened my heart to anyone either. When close friends say that no one understands me the way they do, I laugh inside — because I know that only I truly understand myself. We cannot reveal everything, even to those closest to us. What we share with one person may not be something we can share with another. However, I do consider myself to be reasonably compassionate and humane.