Malayalam actress Bhavana recently revealed why she chose to work in Tovino Thomas' Nadikar, especially at a time when she had decided not to sign any films. “I was approached to act in the project at a time when I had decided not to do any films,” she said, in an interview with Manorama Online. 

She stated that she was inspired to proceed with this project by her friendship and rapport with director Jean Lal, who had mentioned in the interview that the plan for Nadikar came soon after his prior film, Driving Licence, in 2019. It is reasonable to presume that Bhavana may have received a call from the filmmaker about the project at that time. The actress only made her comeback in Malayalam cinema in 2023 with Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn, which is streaming on Manorama Max.

"We have had a strong friendship for quite a while, and I have faith in him because he is a skilled filmmaker with a professional approach to cinema. I could commit to this movie without second-guessing myself or looking into this project further," she remarked.

Bhavana played Tovino Thomas’ first heroine

Bhavana asserted that she felt more at ease on the Nadikar set because she knew practically every member of the crew. She had collaborated with Shine Tom Chacko, the assistant director of her first film, Nammal, and Soubin Shahir, who was the assistant director of Chronic Bachelor.

Bhavana mentioned in an interview with Manorama that she was Tovino Thomas' first heroine in his movie, Koothara. The actress continued by stating that, based on her observations of him both early in his career and currently, she can clearly define his growth as an actor. She stated, "I think Tovino is a more polished and self-assured actor now." The Honey Bee star added that she plays an established actress in Nadikar, who stars opposite David Padikkal in his debut film.

Changes in Malayalam cinema

Speaking about the changes she saw in Malayalam cinema, Bhavana said that the subjects are now more appealing and the industry has become more realistic. "Malayalam films were not widely recognised outside of Kerala in the past, but now things have changed, and I feel proud when my non-Malayali friends talk about our films," she stated.

With some of the classic films that came out in the 1980s and 1990s, the actress asserted that the industry is finally receiving the recognition it has long deserved.

Read Also: madhurima goswami clears the air on her marriage with anirban bhattacharya