'We used to have continuous arguments; He scolded me a lot,' says Nikhila Vimal

One of the standout Tamil films of the year, , directed by Mari Selvaraj, is based on a true incident that occurred in 1999 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Among the highlights of the film was the performance of Malayalam actress Nikhila Vimal, who played the role of , a schoolteacher. Her portrayal won widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

During her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Nikhila who won the prize for the , expressed heartfelt gratitude to the film’s director, Mari Selvaraj. Reflecting on her experience working on the film, she revealed that it was her confrontations with Selvaraj and his strict criticism that helped her deliver such a nuanced performance. “This award is incredibly special to me, and I owe it to my directors, especially Mari Sir,” Nikhila said.



“We had numerous arguments on set, and I’ve been on the receiving end of plenty of harsh words from him. But it was all worth it. People often tell me how different my performance in was compared to my earlier roles.

If I was able to bring that distinction to this character, it’s solely because of Mari Sir’s guidance and, yes, his criticisms.” Nikhila further noted that while she had previously played several other characters on the big screen, her work in stood out due to the challenges and high expectations set by the director. “People still talk about my work in , and I think Mari Sir’s tough love pushed me to explore something beyond my usual boundaries,” she added.

Nikhila’s candid revelations underline the director-actor dynamic that can lead to transformative performances. remains a testament to the power of storytelling and collaboration, marking a significant milestone in Tamil cinema this year. (With inputs from Agencies).