The workout regimen I follow works for each body part like arms, legs, core muscles, biceps and triceps. And, I work out daily for nearly one and a half hours.
Navya Nair
Before marriage, I was a very shy person with mood swings. But, now I can balance that and have become a better and stronger person.
Actually, I try different kinds of exercise. I do functional training, Zumba, classical dance and walking.
After seeing my performance in director T.V. Chandran's 'Aadum Koothu,' Cheran was impressed and immediately cast me in 'Maya Kannadi.'
Winning a State film award for 'Nandanam' had me sit up and realise that cinema was my bread and butter and that I had to be sincere to my work.
I avoid carbohydrates-rich food like rice and rice products. Instead, eat fluids, proteins and fibre-rich food items.
As a socially conscious person, I have my views on matters like gender inequality and progressive movements. But being a mother, children's issues have affected me a lot.
There is nothing in a name. My husband, Santhosh Menon, called me Navya at first, which I did not like as it was my screen name. He knew me as Navya and found calling me Dhanya strange, so he came up with a pet name.
So much of grandeur and richness in songs unnerve me.
After the release of movies like 'Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy' and 'Amirtham,' I was branded as an actress who can do only homely roles.
Before motherhood, I had a feeling that unmarried women are the strongest. However, that changed after my son was born.
I hail from a small village and whatever I have achieved is simply because of fate.
When I was busy with movies, I had little time for dance.
I am fortunate to have acted with a talented film personality like Cheran in two consecutive films.
I accept offers only when people approach me with a good script, and all those experiences have been great.
I am happy to get good offers. I would make full use of them.
Workplace harassment and gender discrimination exist in all spheres, not just films. I have been lucky enough not to face it, but I don't deny its existence.
What the world needs is people with integrity, people with genuine thoughts and intentions.
Thanks to Cheran, I play a city girl in 'Mayakkannadi.' I appear in trendy costumes and have more scope to perform.
I met Santosh and we vibed well. As our horoscopes also matched, we decided to get married.
I'm not eloping. When I get married, everyone will know.
Let me marry in a normal way. I know I'm a public figure, but the person I'm getting married to might need privacy.
I am seriously thinking of making dance as my major profession.
I want to start a blog.
In a short span of time, I happened to do quality films and managed a good fan-following.
Ever since I got married, my acting career has taken a backseat.
I had no intention of returning to films, but when I was offered 'Drishya,' I felt it was a good project to be associated with.
Luckily, the films I did in Kannada were successful.
Before marriage acting was my livelihood, but now it has become my passion.
I like to write, but being a busy mother, it is difficult to sit down and write at a stretch.
I was always a performer even as a child; I loved delving into various characters.
Sibi Malayali sir saw a picture of me in a Malayalam daily and felt I was suited for a role in his movie 'Ishtam.' My parents were opposed to it as they felt I was too young, but I persisted and prevailed.
None of us are alien to horrific news stories that appear every day about crimes of many colors, especially child trafficking and abuse. As a mom and an extremely emotional person, they have a long-lasting effect on me.
I didn't take up 'Chinnanchiru Kiliye' thinking I should continue on these lines from now on.
If an idea or opportunity strikes organically, I would do it.
I have always loved direction.
I feel very happy when people ask me about my fitness mantra.
I am always for change. But I believe in slow and inevitable change and not a forced one, all of a sudden.
I practice two hours daily and I feel happy when I dance.
In the Malayalam industry, artistes are expected to provide bulk dates to film-makers. But now that I'm working in different languages, that's a problem for me.
I'm not an ambitious person.
Films just happened to me. After coming to the industry, I became dedicated.
2008 was a good year as 'Gaja' was a hit.
I do films in which I have an important character.
I feel extremely secure to be part of the film industry.
I feel I don't face issues because I never seek work actively.
I have this demure, girl-next-door image and audiences will not accept me in glamour roles.
The audiences have a certain perspective of every heroine and one should not go against it.
I have always stuck to my on-screen image and I have no complaints as I have got some meaty roles coming my way.
I have done about 25 films in Malayalam and won awards for my performances in films like 'Nandanam' and 'Saira.'
