Chennai, April 5 – Critically acclaimed director Meera Kathiravan has now revealed that actress Malavika Manoj, who plays the lead in his highly anticipated romantic drama 'Habeebi', portrays a character named Nilofer Nisha in the film, and her nickname in the film is 'Nilavu Pulla' (Moon Child).
Speaking about Malavika Manoj's role, director Meera Kathiravan says, "Malavika Manoj plays the character of Nilofer Nisha and will be fondly referred to as 'Nilavu Pulla' by all the characters. When I wrote the script and developed this character, I wanted someone who could portray a girl from the 90s with variations in appearance across two different time periods. My team and I auditioned more than 200-250 actors before we found Malavika Manoj. I felt she was the right choice, especially since the role demanded expressive eyes."
The director further added, "After auditioning her, it was wonderful to see the support from her family and her immense passion for acting. At that time, she had already completed work on her Malayalam debut 'Prakasham Paravatte', which hadn't been released yet. Once she joined us, she impressed everyone on set. Since the role relied heavily on expressions and body language rather than dialogue, we were initially curious about how she would handle it. But she delivered a beautiful performance. Everyone who has watched the film has been appreciating her work. Now, the grand success of her films like 'Joe' and 'Aan Paavam Polladhadhu' has added even more strength and reach to 'Habeebi'."
Sources in the unit say that 'Habeebi' will be a heartfelt narrative that portrays the life, culture, and emotional landscape of Tamil Muslims with authenticity and sensitivity. True to the meaning of its title, "My Beloved," the film will explore themes of love, human connection, and lived experiences.
The film is to be released worldwide by Romeo Pictures Raahul, known for backing both blockbuster entertainers and meaningful content-driven cinema. The film will feature Kasturi Raja (actor Dhanush's dad) in a pivotal role. The music for the film has been composed by Sam C.S.