I am just 18, but people think I am a lot older

It was her role as the smart little daughter of Jayaram and Gopika in Veruthe Oru Bharya that got Nivetha Thomas noticed first.
The talented artiste also bagged a State Award for the Best Child Artiste for her role in the film in 2008. In no time, she started essaying grown up roles opposite actors like Kunchacko Boban in Romans, and Vijay and Mohanlal in Jilla.
Though she is just in her late teens, Nivetha already has a handful of quality films to boast of in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.She will be seen next as Fahadh Faasil’s heroine in Santosh Nair’s Money Ratnam. The pretty actress talks about her stint in the various south Indian film industries, her studies and passion for cinema.
Teaming up with Fahadh again
I acted with Fahadh in Sameer Thahir’s Chappa Kurishu in 2011. And it is exciting to be working with him again in Money Ratnam, where I play a Kochi-based social worker named Piya. She is a bold woman, who is keen to help people.
A journey from Munnar to Marayoor undertaken by the protagonists is an important part of the film. The film shows how the journey changes the protagonists as individuals. It demands a great level of performance from both of us, though the characters are simple people.
Architecture, my other love
I am doing my bachelors in architecture in Chennai and my studies are as important to me as films. This is one of the reasons why there is always a considerable gap between my films. I don’t want to lose out on my college days or curriculum and want to make the best of both worlds — studies and cinema. I am very serious about a career in architecture as well. Last year, I was first in my university exams, but this year I could not write the end semester examination due to my Telugu film schedule.
A child actor turns heroine
Well, I have been lucky. I am just 18 now, but I guess people in the industry think I am a lot older (laughs). As far as offers are concerned, what people focus on is just the character and whether you can pull it off well, whatever your age is. Though I was a child artiste before, I have not faced any problems or negative comments so far from the audience, whenever paired with senior actors.
Variety matters
I am open to roles of different genres and looks. Variety fascinates me. I wouldn’t mind taking up negative characters as well, provided they are backed by a good story and script. Priyanka Chopra’s role in Burfi, Rani Mukerji’s character in Black, Ann Augustine’s role in Artist… I would love to do such characters. While all South Indian film industries are different in their own way, I could relate to every character I was offered, whatever the industry. I am a Malayali who has been living in Tamil Nadu and have many Telugu friends. Thus, I can manage all these languages well. Moreover, I have learnt that in every industry, if you are good to people, they are good to you too.
Upcoming projects
I have two Telugu films coming up. One is titled Julie, in which I am paired with Naveen Chandra. The other is directed by Bhaskar.
When not acting or studying
I am trained in Bharatanatyam but love hip-hop as well. There is a dance master near my house and I sometimes take his help to learn a few moves, for fun. I also cook once in a while; biryani is one of my special dishes. I am part of the college photography club. Though I am not a trained vocalist, I love to sing western music, and melodies by Shreya Ghoshal.