Actor Nithya Menen recently shared a delightfully candid anecdote about a rather unusual experience that coincided with one of the biggest moments of her career—the day she accepted her national award. In an interview with Cinema Vikatan, the acclaimed actor revealed that she still had cow dung under her fingernails while stepping on stage to receive the honour in Delhi.

The reason? Her dedication to authenticity while filming Idly Kadai, her upcoming project directed by and starring Dhanush. As part of preparing for her role, Nithya had to learn how to make traditional cow dung cakes—a task she enthusiastically embraced. “For Idly Kadai, I learnt how to make cow dung cakes. They asked if I was okay doing it, and I said, ‘Of course!’” she said. “It was the first time in my life I rolled them with my bare hands.”

In fact, just a day before the national awards ceremony, Nithya had been filming a scene involving cow dung. She flew directly from the shoot to Delhi—without any time for a full reset. “It’s so amazing that I had cow dung in my fingernails when I went to accept my national award. That is so beautiful, right? That is life,” she said, calling the experience humbling and grounding.

Known for her pursuit of roles that offer transformative, real-life experiences, Nithya said this project was no different. “I do films that allow me to live many lives. I wouldn’t get the chance to experience these things otherwise. That’s why I’m here—to live as many lives as I can through film,” she said.

Calling the contrast between her rustic shoot and the glitzy awards night a “beautiful irony”, Nithya expressed her love for the unpredictable and messy reality of life. “It’s messy, it’s real—and that’s what I love about it,” she added with a smile.

Idly Kadai, which reunites her with Dhanush after their successful collaboration in Thiruchitrambalam (for which she won the National Award), also stars Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj and Parthiban.