Nayanthara

Nayanthara, born Diana Mariam Kurian on November 18, 1984, is a celebrated Indian actress known for her versatile and compelling performances in South Indian cinema. With over two decades in the industry, she's garnered numerous awards, including Filmfare honors. Her remarkable journey includes iconic roles in films like "Sri Rama Rajyam," where she portrayed Goddess Sita, and Tamil hits like "Raja Rani" and "Naanum Rowdy Dhaan." Beyond her on-screen excellence, she's recognized as the "Lady Superstar" and was featured in Forbes India's "Celebrity 100." Her ability to blend grace, talent, and privacy has solidified her status as a leading actress in Indian cinema.

Nayanthara, originally known as Diana Mariam Kurian, is an Indian actress and film producer who features prominently in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema. She holds the distinction of being one of India’s highest-paid actresses, earning a place in the Forbes India “Celebrity 100” list in 2018, a recognition rarely achieved by South Indian actresses. Over her impressive two-decade career, Nayanthara has graced the silver screen in more than 80 films and has clinched numerous awards, including five Filmfare Awards South.

Often hailed as the “Lady Superstar” of Indian cinema, she commenced her acting journey with the Malayalam film “Manassinakkare” in 2003, followed by debuts in Tamil with “Ayya” in 2005 and in Telugu with “Lakshmi” in 2006. Her standout performances, such as her portrayal of Goddess Sita in “Sri Rama Rajyam” (2011), have earned her critical acclaim and prestigious awards in multiple languages.

Early Life and Background:

Nayanthara, originally named Diana Mariam Kurian, was born on November 18, 1984, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Her family hails from the Malayali Christian community. While not much is publicly known about her early life and background, she later adopted the screen name “Nayanthara” when she entered the film industry.

Before embarking on her acting career, Nayanthara pursued a degree in English Literature. Her initial foray into the world of entertainment was through modeling and landing a few modeling assignments.

Nayanthara’s transition to acting came with her debut in the Malayalam film “Manassinakkare” in 2003. This marked the beginning of her successful journey in the Indian film industry, where she would go on to become one of the leading actresses across multiple South Indian film industries, including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Career:

Nayanthara’s career in the Indian film industry has been both prolific and illustrious. Here’s an overview of her remarkable journey:

Debut and Early Films:

Nayanthara made her acting debut in the Malayalam film “Manassinakkare” (2003), which marked the beginning of her career. She soon ventured into Tamil cinema with “Ayya” (2005) and Telugu cinema with “Lakshmi” (2006).

Versatile Roles:

Nayanthara’s ability to take on diverse roles across languages led to her rapid rise in the industry. She portrayed Goddess Sita in the critically acclaimed Telugu film “Sri Rama Rajyam” (2011), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and the Nandi Award for Best Actress.

Tamil Cinema Success:

She achieved great success in Tamil cinema with films like “Raja Rani” (2013), “Naanum Rowdy Dhaan” (2015), and “Aramm” (2017). These roles earned her Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Recognition and Awards:

Nayanthara’s exceptional talent garnered her numerous accolades, including Filmfare Awards in multiple South Indian languages.

Producer:

Apart from acting, she ventured into film production through her production company, “Nayanthara’s production house.”

“Lady Superstar” Title:

She earned the title “Lady Superstar” for her immense popularity and successful career in South Indian cinema.

Forbes India “Celebrity 100”:

Nayanthara’s remarkable success led to her inclusion in the Forbes India “Celebrity 100” list in 2018, a recognition of her status as one of the highest-paid actresses in India.

Nayanthara’s journey from her debut to becoming a powerhouse actress in multiple South Indian film industries is a testament to her talent, dedication, and versatility. She continues to be a celebrated figure in the world of Indian cinema.

Movies:
Year Movie Title Genre Role(s)
2003 Manassinakkare Drama Gouri
2004 Vismayathumbathu Drama/Thriller Ganga
2005 Ayya Action/Drama Anjali
2006 Lakshmi Action Lakshmi
2007 Dubai Action/Drama Nirmala
2007 Billa Action/Thriller Sasha
2008 Yaaradi Nee Mohini Romance/Drama Keerthi
2010 Simha Action/Drama Janaki
2011 Sri Rama Rajyam Mythological/Drama Sita
2012 Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Drama Devika
2013 Raja Rani Romance/Drama Regina Joseph
2014 Arrambam Action/Thriller Maya
2015 Naanum Rowdy Dhaan Comedy/Action Kadhambari “Kadam”
2017 Aramm Drama Madhivadhani
2018 Kolamavu Kokila (Coco) Dark Comedy Kokila
2019 Airaa Horror/Thriller Yamuna, Bhavani
2019 Bigil Sports/Drama Angel Aasirvatham
2020 Darbar Action Lilly
2020 Mookuthi Amman Fantasy/Comedy Mookuthi Amman
2021 Netrikann Thriller/Drama Durga
2021 Annaatthe Action/Drama Chandramukhi
2021 Jai Simha Action/Drama Vadivu
2022 Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kadhal Romance/Comedy
2023 Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy 2 Historical/Drama
Awards and Nominations:

Nayanthara, one of the leading actresses in the South Indian film industry, has received several awards and nominations for her outstanding performances. Here’s a summary of some of her notable awards and nominations:

Filmfare Awards South:
  1. Won: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for “Raja Rani” (2013).
  2. Won: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for “Naanum Rowdy Dhaan” (2015).
  3. Won: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for “Puthiya Niyamam” (2016).
Nandi Awards:
  1. Won: Nandi Award for Best Actress for “Sri Rama Rajyam” (2011).
Vijay Awards:
  1. Won: Vijay Award for Favorite Heroine for “Raja Rani” (2013).
Asianet Film Awards:
  1. Won: Asianet Film Award for Best Female New Face of the Year for “Manassinakkare” (2003).
Other Awards and Honors:
  1. Nayanthara was honored with the “Lady Superstar” title for her contributions to Indian cinema.
  2. She was included in the Forbes India “Celebrity 100” list in 2018 as one of the highest-paid actresses in India.
Personal Life:

Nayanthara, the accomplished actress known for her private nature, has managed to keep much of her personal life away from the public eye. However, here are some general aspects of her personal life:

Birth and Early Life:

Nayanthara was born as Diana Mariam Kurian on November 18, 1984, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. She comes from a Malayali Christian family.

Education:

While specific details about her education are not widely known, she pursued her academic studies before entering the film industry.

Relationships:

Nayanthara has been known for her past relationships with fellow actors from the film industry. Her personal life, including her relationships, has been the subject of media speculation in the past.