Rise and Fall, and Rise Again of Nayanthara

Nayanthara is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in South Indian cinema. She has established a successful career in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, and now in Hindi through Atlee directorial ‘Jawaan’. Known for her natural beauty and acting chops, she has come a long way since her debut film Manasinakkare in 2003. Despite facing some personal and professional challenges, the Billa actress has always managed to bounce back and rise to the top again. Here’s a look at the fabulous journey of Nayanthara including her personal life and future projects. 

Early Life and Rise to Stardom 

Diana Mariam Kurien, better known by her screen name Nayanthara, was born on November 18, 1984, in Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. Nayanthara was studying at college when director Sathyan Anthikkad approached her to play a role in his film Manassinakkare in 2003. She initially turned down the offer but eventually agreed to do the film. The movie was a commercial success, and she was awarded as the best new face of the year. Nayanthara started appearing in Tamil and Telugu films after that.

The year 2005 proved to be a successful year for Nayanthara. She started the year appearing in the Tamil film Ayya, and her performance was well-received by critics. This landed her the opportunity to work with Super Star Rajinikanth in the comedy horror film Chandramukhi, which was one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time. Nayanthara was cast in the Malayalam films Thaskara Veeran and Rappakal, and her performance earned her praise from both audiences and critics. The year ended on an unbeatable note for Nayanthara with the release of the film Ghajini by AR Murugadoss, in which she played a small but essential role. Her performance in Ghajini helped to cement her status as one of the most popular actresses in Tamil cinema.

The years 2007 to 2011 proved to be the peak of Nayanthara’s acting career. In 2008, actress Nayanthara had five movie releases, four of which were in Tamil. She appeared in the films Villu and Aadhavan in 2009 with Thalapathy Vijay and Suriya respectively. All her releases as the female lead were commercial successes in 2010. In 2011, her only release was the mythological film Sri Rama Rajyam, in which she played the role of Sita. Nayanthara also won the best actress award for her outstanding performance in this movie. 

Controversies & Comeback

In 2006, reports surfaced that Nayanthara was dating her Vallavan co-star and director, Silambarasan Rajendar. Initially, she denied the rumors but later confirmed that they broke up. In 2008, during the making of her film Villu, rumors began circulating that she was in a relationship with its director Prabhu Deva. Nayanthara remained tight-lipped about the rumors, neither confirming nor denying them. However, she often appeared publicly with Prabhu Deva and even tattooed his name on her wrist as per media reports.

In September 2010, Prabhu Deva made headlines when he publicly declared his love for actress Nayanthara and said he wanted to marry her. However, in 2012, Nayanthara confirmed that she had ended her realtionsip with Prabhu Deva after dating him for almost 4 years. While the break-up was initially amicable, it soon became apparent that it had taken a toll on Nayanthara’s career. 

Nayanthara is amongst the few actresses in South Indian cinema who has managed to make a mark for herself in a male-dominated industry. After taking a break from acting, she made a comeback with Krish’s Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2012). She won both the Filmfare and Vijay Awards for Best Actress the following year for her portrayal of Raja Rani in Atlee’s love drama. She also starred in films like Anaamika (2014), Maya (2015) and Aramm, which have been well-received by audiences and critics alike. Nayanthara is known for her versatility as an actress, and she continued to play diverse roles for a few years after 2015, which is always appreciated by her fans and box-office.

Her upcoming endeavors include the Telugu film Godfather, the Tamil films Connect and Iraivan, and the Bollywood film Jawan opposite Shah Rukh Khan, which will mark her Hindi debut. Nayanthara is sure to impress audiences with her performances in these highly anticipated films.

Nayanthara or Trisha – Who is Today’s Lady Superstar?

When we talk about the Tamil film industry, there are two actresses who always come to mind: Trisha and Nayanthara. These two ladies have been dominating the industry for years, and their careers seem to be touching the sky. Some competition between the two superstars can be seen every now and then, but ultimately the audience loves them both. 

Still, the question arises: who’s better – Trisha or Nayanthara? And the answer is always different. Some people prefer Trisha’s down-to-earth personality, while others appreciate Nayanthara’s dedication to her craft. 

Over time, Trisha has become a bigger Lady Superstar in the South Indian film industry  compared to Nayanthara. She’s able to play heroine and villain roles convincingly, leaving audiences wanting for more. In recent years, she’s taken on extremely challenging roles and pushed herself out of her comfort zone – and it’s paid off significantly. Her performances have been getting phenomenal reviews from critics and fans, and she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

For those who can’t seem to choose between Trisha and Nayanthara, there is some good news. According to recent reports, actresses Trisha and Nayanthara are all set to star together in an unnamed film. Trisha is currently working alongside Mohan Lal on a film titled Ram, which Jeethu Joseph is directing. The movie’s shoot is apparently taking place in London, and the actors are travelling back and forth to the country for the shoot. It will be fascinating to witness the chemistry of these two actresses on-screen and what type of magic they can create together.

Ending Words

Nayanthara has come a long way since her debut in the south Indian film industry. She is now one of the most promising celebrities in the south, and her stardom is still on the rise. With so many successful films already under her belt, it will be exciting to see what she does next.  She is currently happily married to director Vignesh Shivan, with whom she welcomed twins via surrogacy in October 2022.