Raiza Wilson on 'Nova' shoot: Leeches, wild animals, and Kerala's sandalwood forests
Synopsis
Raiza Wilson's account of filming 'Nova' in Kerala's restricted sandalwood forests — navigating leeches, wild animals, and constant rain in wet clothes — is a reminder that the most ambitious debut productions often demand the most from their cast. Director Milo's choice of such a complex, genre-blending story for his very first feature film makes 'Nova' one of the more intriguing Tamil releases to watch.
Key Takeaways
Raiza Wilson plays the lead in director Milo 's debut feature 'Nova' , a horror science-fiction thriller.
The film was shot in the sandalwood forests of Marayoor, Kerala , where filming permissions are difficult to obtain.
Raiza faced blood-sucking leeches, constant rain and mist, wild animal sounds, and slippery terrain during the shoot.
Action sequences were choreographed by stunt master Vimal Rambo ; Raiza had prior fight training from 'Mr.
The cast includes Dhruva , Adviti Shetty , Krithika Biswas , Joe John Chacko , and Sendrayan . 'Nova' is currently in post-production and is expected to release in theatres soon.
Actress Raiza Wilson has revealed the gruelling conditions she endured while filming director Milo's upcoming horror science-fiction thriller 'Nova', including encounters with blood-sucking leeches, relentless mist and rain, and the unsettling sounds of wild animals in the forests of Marayoor, Kerala. The actress, best known for her performance in 'Pyaar Prema Kaadhal', described the shoot as unlike anything she had experienced in her career.
A Story Within a Story
'Nova' is structured as a story within a story, with Raiza playing a key character who features in the film's flashback portions. 'The movie combines elements of action, thriller, and science-fiction. I have never acted in a story or role like this before, which is exactly why I was drawn to it,' she said. The film marks Milo's debut as a feature film director — a fact Raiza noted with admiration.
Filming Inside Kerala's Sandalwood Forests
A significant portion of the shoot took place deep inside the sandalwood forests of Marayoor, where securing filming permission is itself a challenge. 'Before going there, I thought the shoot would be quite easy. I had no idea it would be so demanding,' Raiza admitted. The terrain presented constant hazards — muddy, slippery paths, blood-sucking leeches, and the ever-present sounds of wildlife. Despite the hostile conditions, the team reportedly completed the shoot on schedule without delays.
Action Sequences and Stunt Training
The film also features action sequences, for which Raiza received specialised training from stunt master Vimal Rambo. She noted that prior fight training for her earlier film 'Mr. X' helped ease the demands of Nova's action scenes. 'Since it rained most of the time, I often had to sit on set in wet clothes. The action scenes I performed were filmed there,' she said. Raiza credited director Milo for maintaining a positive and energetic atmosphere on set, which she said prevented the hardships from feeling overwhelming.
Cast and Current Status
Alongside Raiza Wilson, the film features Dhruva of 'Aanmai Thavarael', Adviti Shetty, Bengali actress Krithika Biswas, Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan, and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna. According to sources close to the production, 'Nova' is currently in post-production and is expected to release in theatres soon.
Point of View
Which is exactly what a debut genre film needs to stand out. Tamil cinema's horror-sci-fi space is crowded with mid-budget misfires; what separates them is usually conviction on set. A first-time director choosing restricted forest locations and a structurally complex 'story within a story' format is a high-risk bet. Whether the ambition translates to the screen is the real question, and post-production will be the true test of Milo's vision.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tamil film 'Nova' about?
'Nova' is a horror science-fiction supernatural thriller directed by Milo in his feature debut. The film is structured as a story within a story and blends elements of action, thriller, and science-fiction, with Raiza Wilson playing a key character in the flashback portions.
Where was 'Nova' filmed?
A significant part of 'Nova' was filmed in the forests of Marayoor in Kerala , including inside restricted sandalwood forests where obtaining filming permission is reportedly difficult. The conditions included constant rain, mist, leeches, and muddy terrain.
Who are the other actors in 'Nova'?
The cast includes Dhruva (of 'Aanmai Thavarael'), Adviti Shetty , Bengali actress Krithika Biswas , Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko , Sendrayan , and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna .
When will 'Nova' release in theatres?
According to sources close to the production, 'Nova' is currently in post-production. A specific release date has not been announced, but it is expected to hit theatres soon.
What action training did Raiza Wilson undergo for 'Nova'?
Raiza Wilson received specialised stunt training from stunt master Vimal Rambo for her action sequences in 'Nova'. She also drew on prior fight training she had completed for her earlier film 'Mr. X' , which she said made the action scenes in 'Nova' more manageable.
