Fans of Malayalam cinema have wholeheartedly embraced Nazriya Nazim's long-awaited return to the silver screen with her new film 'Sookshmadarshini'. After taking some time away from acting, Nazriya's comeback has caused quite a stir, with audiences expressing excitement over her new role.
Speaking to Mathrubhumi, Nazriya shared her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I was very excited to work with him. But what really attracted me to the movie was the plot. It was something new, a casting no one expected. The character 'Priyadarshini' was unlike anything I’ve done before." This insightful reflection captures the essence of why audiences have embraced the film—it's not just another role, but rather, a unique opportunity for her to explore new horizons.
Teaming up with well-respected actor and director Basil Joseph, who directed the film, Nazriya feels their shared energy adds to the overall excitement. "We both have similar energy and pace," Nazriya said, shedding light on the chemistry both on-screen and off. Their collaboration has been highly anticipated, with many fans expressing eagerness to see them unite on-screen. Nazriya noted, "Many of them have told me they’ve been waiting to see us together in a film." This anticipation has translated to strong box office performance.
'Sookshmadarshini' has seen remarkable success at the box office since its release on December 14, 2024. After just 22 days, the film grossed approximately ₹ 26.22 crore net, marking it as one of the hits of the season. Even on its 23rd day, the film continued to draw audiences, earning around ₹ 0.5 crore net.
Box office figures indicate the movie's solid hold. On its 23rd day, 'Sookshmadarshini' achieved 27.25% occupancy across theaters, with varying attendance rates throughout the day: morning shows saw 13.22%, afternoon shows 23.93%, evening shows 32.00%, and night shows peaking at 39.85%. Such numbers reflect the film's growing popularity and its ability to retain audience interest.
Director Mc Jithin, who has helmed this project, has also garnered attention for his ability to craft engaging narratives, contributing to the excitement surrounding 'Sookshmadarshini'. Nazriya highlighted the importance of good storytelling, sharing, "Good stories and projects always reach them, and when we choose from those, the quality only improves." This commitment to quality storytelling seems to resonate with fans who appreciate thoughtful cinema.
Nazriya’s reflections on her career reveal insights on her time off from the industry. "Cinema was always around me," she stated, indicating her continued connection to film even during her absence from acting. She emphasized her desire to return not out of necessity, but from wanting to engage with meaningful stories. "The reason for the break was my desire to be part of good stories, rather than just taking on similar characters I’d already done before,” she explained. This speaks volumes about her approach to choosing roles.
With the warmth of familiar faces and unique stories, the film industry’s Malayalam segment holds sentiments very dear to its audiences. Nazriya identified the unique connection within Malayalam cinema, saying, "There's a sense of closeness here you don’t often find elsewhere." This familial atmosphere may be why the film has felt like part of viewers' lives and drawn them back to theaters.
Despite stepping away for personal reasons, Nazriya’s reintegration has been seamless, as she continues to explore new characters unlike what she previously portrayed. "Have you ever felt typecast? No, I’ve never felt typecast. I don’t think my characters have ever been the same," she quipped, addressing common assumptions held by viewers and critics alike. Her character 'Priyadarshini' serves as compelling evidence of her capacity to evolve as both actress and storyteller.
Concluding her interview, Nazriya expressed her contentment with her current balance of life and career, stating, "I’m doing stories I believe in and finding time for myself and my loved ones. That balance makes me 100 percent happy today." Fans of Nazriya Nazim and 'Sookshmadarshini' can take comfort in her commitment to her craft and passion for delivering authentic performances, knowing this film is just the beginning of what promises to be another enthralling chapter of her career.
