Who is Navya Nair? Malayalam Actress Fined ₹1.14 Lakh for Carrying Jasmine Flowers at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne, September 2025 – Popular Malayalam actress Navya Nair has made headlines after being fined ₹1.14 lakh at Melbourne International Airport for carrying jasmine flowers in her handbag. The actress, who had traveled to Australia to attend Onam celebrations organized by the Malayali Association of Victoria, admitted the mistake and shared her experience with fans.

Why Was Navya Nair Fined?

According to airport officials, Navya was carrying a 15 cm long jasmine gajra inside her bag, which is not permitted under Australia’s strict biosecurity laws. She was fined AUD 1,980 (₹1.14 lakh) for the violation and informed that the amount must be paid within 28 days.

What Did Navya Say About the Incident?

Explaining how the flowers ended up with her, Navya said it was her father who gave her the jasmine strings before her journey. She wore one during her flight from Kochi to Singapore and kept another in her handbag to use later.

Navya admitted: “What I did was against the law. It was a mistake I made unknowingly. Ignorance is no excuse. For carrying a 15 cm jasmine string, I had to pay a fine of ₹1.14 lakh. A mistake is a mistake, even if not intentional.”

Did It Affect Her Onam Celebrations?

Despite the fine, Navya didn’t let the incident dampen her festive mood. She attended the Onam celebrations in Melbourne, shared reels from the event, and even posted photos from her flight with a jasmine gajra in her hair, writing: “Happy Onam. First-ever Thiruvonam in the skies! Though I miss being in naadu, carrying the spirit of Onam with me is a joy of its own.”

Who is Navya Nair?

Navya Nair is a renowned Malayalam actress with a career spanning more than two decades. She made her film debut in Sibi Malayil’s Ishtam (2001) and went on to deliver award-winning performances.

She is a two-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and has starred in Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada films. Some of her best-known movies include:

• Nandanam

• Mazhathullikkilukkam

• Kunjikoonan

• Kalyanaraman

• Ammakilikkoodu

• Gramophone

• Saira

• Pandippada

Navya continues to be loved by Malayali audiences for her graceful performances and strong screen presence.