Actor Navya Nair Fined Over ₹1 Lakh at Melbourne Airport for Carrying Jasmine Flowers
Actor Navya Nair Fined Over ₹1 Lakh at Melbourne Airport for Carrying Jasmine Flowers
It was meant to be a heartwarming cultural moment — a celebrated Malayalam actor traveling overseas with a traditional touch of home. But for Navya Nair, her sentimental gesture turned into an unexpected and expensive lesson in international biosecurity laws. During a recent visit to Australia for Onam festivities organized by the Malayali Association of Victoria, Navya found herself facing a hefty fine of AUD 1,980 (approximately ₹1.14 lakh) at Melbourne International Airport — all for carrying a humble 15 cm string of jasmine flowers.
The actor, a two-time Kerala State Film Award winner, shared the incident during her appearance at the Onam event in Melbourne, leaving the audience both amused and informed. According to reports from Mathrubhumi and other sources, she was open about the situation and even managed to laugh it off.
“Before I came here, it was my father who bought jasmine for me. He cut it into two parts and gave it to me. He asked me to wear one in my hair from Kochi to Singapore since it would wither by the time I reached. He told me to keep the second one in my handbag so I could wear it on the onward journey from Singapore. I put it in my carry bag,” she recounted at the event. Despite the seemingly harmless nature of the gesture, Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations take no chances. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry allows the import of fresh-cut flowers and foliage, but only if declared properly upon arrival. Items not declared are subject to inspection, fines, or even prosecution.
Navya acknowledged her oversight and expressed her understanding of the rules in retrospect. “What I did was against the law. It was a mistake I made unknowingly. Ignorance is no excuse. For bringing a 15 cm jasmine string, officials asked me to pay a fine of 1,980 dollars. A mistake is a mistake, though it was not intentional. They told me the fine must be paid within 28 days,” she said.
The Australian authorities take such violations seriously, as undeclared plant materials can pose significant threats to local agriculture and biodiversity. Penalties for such offenses can go up to AUD 6,600, and in some cases, travelers risk having their visas cancelled or facing criminal charges. Navya, however, chose to approach the incident with humor and humility. She later posted a light-hearted video collage on Instagram featuring her Onam look — complete with the now-infamous jasmine gajra — captioned cheekily, “A show-off right before paying the fine.”
Prior to the incident, she had also shared a carousel of photos from her flight to Australia, celebrating her first Onam spent in the skies. “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. Work calls — and that too is another happiness. Onboard Singapore Airlines… Melbourne, here I come,” she wrote, sending Onam wishes to her fans.
Navya Nair, who made her acting debut in 2001 with Sibi Malayil’s Ishtam, has since become a household name across Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada cinema. Her acclaimed performances in films like Nandanam, Kalyanaraman, Kunjikoonan, Saira, Drishya, Oruthee, and Janaki Jaane have cemented her place as one of South India’s most versatile actors.
While jasmine flowers are a cherished symbol of tradition and femininity in South Indian culture — often seen adorning women’s hair during festivals like Onam — Navya’s story is a reminder that cherished customs must sometimes bow to international regulations.
