Alappuzha Gymkhana: Meet Naslen’s heroine Nanda Nishanth, daughter of Malayalam actor Nishanth Sagar

After wooing audiences even outside Kerala with his charming Premalu, Naslen is now gearing up for his upcoming Malayalam movie, Alappuzha Gymkhana. The Naslen-starrer, touted to be a sports comedy, has not one but three heroines. Newcomer Nanda Nishanth, who is the daughter of Malayalam actor Nishanth Sagar, plays one of the heroines. 

Nanda Nishanth in Naslen’s Alappuzha Gymkhana

Alappuzha Gymkhana, a Khalid Rahman directorial, marks the debut of yet another star kid in Malayalam. Nanda Nishanth too has forayed into Malayalam cinema, following the footsteps of her father Nishanth Sagar, who has played notable roles in Dileep-starrer Joker and Thilakkam. 

Nanda auditioned for debut movie

As per a Manorama News report, Nanda became a part of Khalid Rahman’s film through an audition and there has been no influence from her father’s side.  

Nanda, who claims that she has not watched many of her father’s movies, says that she got interested in movies after taking up a visual communications course for graduation. 

"I got selected for this film through an audition. My father is really happy that I am acting in films. He told me that there is no better beginning than this film," said Nanda, adding that it has been her good fortune to make her debut through Khalid Rahman's film. 

Also read - Enjoyed Premalu? Here are 6 films starring Naslen to stream on OTT 

Naslen-led Alappuzha Gymkhana features a host of young actors, including Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lukman Avaran, Anagha Ravi, Franco Francis, and many others. The film is slated to hit theatres on April 10, 2025, clashing with Mammootty’s Bazooka and Basil Joseph-starrer Maranamass. 

Who is Nishanth Sagar?

For those of you who are not familiar with Malayalam cinema of the 2000s, Nishanth Sagar gained recognition after featuring in Dileep-starrer Joker, directed by acclaimed screenwriter-filmmaker Lohithadas. He also acted in other movies such as Thilakkam, Phantom and Rasikan. 

He has been a part of recent Malayalam movies, such as Rekhachithram and Turbo, too. Nishanth Sagar was seen as DYSP Mohandas in Asif Ali’s hit film Rekhachithram, which released in January 2025. You can watch Rekhachithram on Sony Liv and OTTplay Premium at special discounted prices.