Nithya Menen (born 8 April 1988) is an Indian film actress and playback singer. She has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. She is recipient of three Filmfare Awards for the Telugu films Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde, Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju and Mersal and OK Kanmani in Tamil.She is most known for her works in south indian films
Nithya Menen was born in Bangalore, Karnataka to a Malayali family. She studied journalism at the Manipal University. She once said in an interview that she never wished to become an actress but a journalist, as she was "an idealist", but felt journalism was "not what it used to be". She then decided to become a filmmaker as she could express her ideas "better through films", and enrolled for a course in cinematography at the FTII Pune. During the educational entrance examination, she met B. V. Nandini Reddy, who "brainwashed" and convinced her to take up acting. Nandini Reddy would later turn director and sign Nithya for the lead female role in her first project.