Nithya Menen had cow dung in nails while accepting National Award. Here's why

India Today

16-07-2025

Actor Nithya Menen recently spoke about picking cow dung cakes with bare hands for her role in Dhanush's upcoming film - 'Idly Kadai'. She opened up on receiving the National Film Award with cow dung on her nails.Menen, in an interview with Cinema Vikatan, shared her experience. She said, "For 'Idly Kadai', I learnt how to make cow dung cakes. They asked me if I was willing to do it, and I said yes, of course. So, for the first time in my life, I learned how to roll and round them up with bare hands."advertisementThe actor further said, "In fact, the day before I had to go for the National Awards, I was doing this scene. It's so amazing that I had cow dung in my nails when I went to accept my National Award. That is so beautiful, right? That is life. I loved the diversity of experience I got from this film. I wouldn't get an opportunity to do this otherwise."
'Idly Kadai' is written, directed and co-produced by Dhanush, who also plays the lead role in the movie. Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, Parthiban, P Samuthirakani, and Rajkiran also portray pivotal roles in the film. GV Prakash Kumar has composed the music.This is the second time Menen has collaborated with Dhanush after 'Thiruchitrambalam' (2022), which won her a National Film Award for Best Actor (Female).On her National Award win, Menen, in an exclusive interview with India Today, said, "I wasn't prepared for it at all. In fact, I was prepared to not be validated. I was preparing myself that 'it is okay, you are not going to get that kind of validation or recognition. That's the path you have chosen. Get used to it.' I was getting used to that."'Idly Kadai' is scheduled to release in theatres on October 1, 2025.- EndsMust Watch