Nayanthara

Nayanthara
Nayanthara at the 61st Filmfare Awards South, 2014
Born	Diana Mariam Kurian (1984-11-18) 18 November 1984[1][2][3] Bangalore, India[4][5]
Residence	Chennai, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actress model
Years active	2003–present
Home town	Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
Awards	Kalaimamani[6]

Nayanthara (born Diana Mariam Kurian, 18 November 1984) is an Indian film actress who predominantly appears in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films.^[7] She is also the recipient of numerous awards.

Nayanthara made her acting debut in the 2003 Malayalam film Manassinakkare with Jayaram and Vismayathumbathu with Super Star Mohanlal (2004) . She also acted in a supporting role in super hit malayalam filim Natturajavu before foraying into Tamil and Telugu cinema. She made her debut in Tamil cinema with Ayya (2005) and Telugu with Lakshmi (2006). Both were successful. After which she was the female lead in numerous commercially successful Tamil and Telugu films like Chandramukhi (2005), Dubai Seenu (2007), Tulasi (2007), Billa (2007), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Aadhavan (2009), Adhurs (2010), Simha (2010), Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010), Sri Rama Rajyam (2011), Raja Rani (2013), Arrambam (2013), Thani Oruvan (2015), Maya (2015), Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015), Babu Bangaram (2016) and Iru Mugan (2016), making her the highest paid actress in South Indian cinema.^[8][9]

In 2010, she also made her Kannada film debut through the Kannada-Telugu bilingual film Super,^[10] her only appearance in a Kannada film to-date. Her portrayal of Sita in Sri Rama Rajyam (2011) earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress and the Nandi Award for Best Actress. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for her performance in Raja Rani (2013). Kochi Times listed her in the "List of 15 Most Desirable Women in 2014".^[11]

Early life

Nayanthara was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India,^[4] to Malayali Orthodox Christian^[12] parents Kurian Kodiyattu and Omana Kurian who hail from an ancestral family Kodiyatt in Tiruvalla, Kerala.^[13][14] Her brother, Leno, who is nine years elder to her, lives in Dubai.^[15] As her father was an Indian Air Force official, she studied in various parts of India, mainly in North India.^[15] She did her schooling in Jamnagar, Gujarat and Delhi. In Tiruvalla, she studied at Balikamadom Girls Higher Secondary School and then attended Marthoma College for her bachelor's degree in English Literature.^[16]

Career

Debut in Malayalam cinema (2003–04)

While studying at college, Nayanthara worked part-time as a model. She was spotted by director Sathyan Anthikkad, who had seen some of her modelling assignments and approached her to play a pivotal role in his film Manassinakkare (2003).^[17] Although she turned down the offer initially, as she was not interested in films, she gave in eventually and agreed to do "just that one film".^[17] Manassinakkare went on to become a high financial success and she continued to receive acting offers. Her both releases in 2004, Natturajavu by Shaji Kailas and Fazil's psychological thriller Vismayathumbathu saw her co-starring alongside Mohanlal; while she played the protagonist's adopted sister in the former, she portrayed a ghost in the latter.^[18] Her performance in Vismayathumbathu, in particular, was lauded, with critics claiming that she had "stolen the thunder with her author-backed role",^[19] and was "the revelation of the film".^[20] She also acted in Thaskara Veeran and Rappakal.

Work in Tamil and Telugu cinema (2005–07)

Nayanthara subsequently started appearing in Tamil and Telugu films. In 2005, she was cast in Hari's Ayya, debuting in the Tamil film industry. Behindwoods.com stated that she had made a "sensational debut in Tamil",^[21] while a reviewer from Nowrunning.com said that her "presence with her beautiful smile is crowd winning".^[22] While still shooting for Ayya, she was selected for the comedy horror film Chandramukhi,^[23] after its director P. Vasu's wife had seen Manassinakkare and recommended her.^[24] The film ran for over 800 days in theatres,^[25] eventually turning Nayanthara into one of the most-sought after actresses in Tamil.^[9] Later that year she appeared in A R Murugadoss' Ghajini, in which she played a secondary female character.^[9] Nayanthara then accepted to appear in an item number as herself in the Perarasu-directed masala film Sivakasi.^[26]

Nayanthara's first release in 2006 was Kalvanin Kadhali. Indiaglitz.com stated her performance was the "strength of the film".^[27] She next made her debut in Telugu, starring in the film Lakshmi, following which she performed in Boss, I Love You. Three Tamil films in which she enacted the lead female characters – Vallavan, Thalaimagan and E – were released simultaneously during Deepavali 2006.^[28] All three films opened to mixed reviews;^[29][30] In Vallavan, she portrayed a lecturer who falls in love with a student younger than her. Sify wrote: "Nayanthara virtually walks away with the film and has never looked so beautiful. She looks gorgeous especially in songs and does justice to her well-etched out role".^[31] The science fiction thriller E featured Nayanthara in the role of a bar dancer. Reviewers from Rediff stated that she made an impact,^[32] Indiaglitz said she was "very adequate and impressive in a slightly complicated role",^[33] and that she had "come up with a good performance".^[30] In Thalaimagan, she played a news reporter, with critics agreeing that she did not have much to do in the film.^[34][35]

Public recognition and widespread success (2007–2011)

Nayanthara regained her star billing in Kollywood acting in the Vishnuvardhan-directed gangster film Billa (2007). A remake of the same-titled 1980 Tamil film, it went on to become a success at the box office,^[36] while Nayanthara received many accolades for her performance as Sasha in her new glamour look.^[37] Sify heaped praise on her, describing her as a "show stopper". The reviewer further wrote: "Nayanthara has gone full throttle to look her sexiest best [...] She has a beautiful body which she flaunts daringly [...] and is also able to bring out the cold aloofness and bitterness of her character.^[38] Similarly a critic from Nowrunning.com noted that she looked "great in mini-skirts, jacket, dark glasses and tall boots".^[39]

In 2008 she had five releases, four of which were in Tamil. Her first release, the family entertainer Yaaradi Nee Mohini. Behindwoods.com wrote: "Nayan dispels her bombshell act and proves that she can more than just that. She breaks into tears when needed, shows vicious contempt when rubbed the wrong way in the name of love, and looks endearing in songs". Nowrunning.com stated that she "exhibits her acting skills in full measure [and] gives a moving performance in emotional scenes",^[40] while Sify's critic wrote that she looked "sensational and has done a great job in perhaps the meatiest role she has done so far".^[41] She won the Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for second consecutive year,^[42] as well as a nomination for the Best Actress prize at the 56th Filmfare Awards South. Her subsequent releases were Kuselan , Sathyam, Villu and Aegan . In 2009 she released Aadhavan.

In 2010, all her releases, which featured her as the female lead, turned out to be commercial successes: she had five box office hits in the four Southern languages – Adhurs (Telugu) Bodyguard (Malayalam), and Simha (Telugu), Boss Engira Bhaskaran (Tamil) and Super (Kannada, Telugu).^[43][44] She won the Asianet Award for Best Actress for her performance in Bodyguard. The latter three, in particular, were particularly good for Nayanthara, with Simha becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year and Boss Engira Bhaskaran releasing to positive reviews, and becoming a financial success.^[45][46][47] Upendra's Super, which marked her debut into the Kannada film industry opened to rave reviews, while her performance was also praised by critics.^[48][49] Her performances in Simha, Boss Engira Bhaskaran and Super eventually fetched her nominations for the Filmfare Best Actress Award in the respective languages.^[50][51][52] She also starred in Shyamaprasad's critically acclaimed Malayalam film Elektra. Her performance was well appreciated by critics when it was screened at the International Film Festival of India.^[53] The film was also screened at the Dubai International Film Festival.^[54]

Her only release in 2011 was the mythological film Sri Rama Rajyam by Bapu, in which she played the role of Sita. She received critical acclaim for her performance in the film with Rediff.com noting that "Nayanthara is the surprise package of the film. As Sita, she too has played the role of her lifetime. She gave a fine understated performance conveying a kaleidoscope of emotions",^[55] while Sify commented "Nayanthara gave a fitting answer to all, unleashing grace and accomplishing the assignment with absolute perfection."^[56] Subsequently, she was awarded the Nandi Award for Best Actress and the Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress.^[57] The film was dubbed in the media as her swan song and considered to be her last release before her marriage as she was reported to quit acting thereafter.^[58]

Recent work (2012–present)

Nayanthara began shooting for Krish's Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum in March 2012 after an 11-months sabbatical.^[59] She portrayed the role of a journalist in this film and her performance was also praised, with a reviewer from Sify stating that "Nayanthara does not play the normal commercial glam-doll for a change and she is good. As a reporter, she looks good and her chemistry with Rana is perfect".^[60] Her first release in 2013 was Greeku Veerudu. Her next film, Raja Rani was her first Tamil release after three years that had her in a lead role, which was followed by Vishnuvardhan's Arrambam featuring Ajith Kumar in the lead. Her performance was praised with a reviewer from Rediff stated that Nayanthara looks gorgeous and does full justice to her character., while Behindwoods stated that Nayanthara puts out a fiery face when required and also showcase her oomph & style in many scenes. This superstar continues to shine. Both films became very successful at the box office making it as a dream comeback for Nayanthara.^[61] In 2014, she appeared in Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal which was directed by S R Prabhakaran. Her next release was the bilingual thriller Anamika (Telugu)/Nee Enge En Anbe (Tamil) directed by Shekhar Kammula.

In 2015, she starred in the Tamil romantic comedy Nannbenda starring Udhayanidhi Stalin.^[62] Her next release was Bhaskar the Rascal starring Mammootty in Malayalam. The movie completed after 100 days.^[63] Her next release was the horror comedy Masss co-starring Suriya. Her next was the action flick Thani Oruvan starring Jayam Ravi.^[64] She followed it with the horror film Maya. The film was a surprise success and Nayanthara's performance as an aspiring actress and single mother won her acclaim. Her next Vignesh Shivan's Naanum Rowdydhaan starring Vijay Sethupathi was also well received by critics and performed well at the box office. She is acting in the following upcoming Tamil projects: The romance film Idhu Namma Aalu starring Silambarasan,^[65] and Kashmora starring Karthi. She also has Thirunaal co starring Jiiva. In November 2015, she signed Iru Mugan opposite Vikram under the direction of Anand Shankar^[66] and another Telugu film Babu Bangaram starring opposite Venkatesh for the third time, under the direction of Maruthi.^[67]

She later signed as a lead role in crime thriller film Dora directed by Doss Ramasamy,^[68] where she plays a role of a police officer.^[69][70]

Personal life

Nayanthara started dating actor-director Prabhu Deva in 2008.^[71] In 2010, Prabhu Deva's wife Latha filed a petition at the family court, seeking directions against Deva from living in a relationship with Nayanthara and requesting a reunion with him.^[72] Furthermore, she threatened to go on hunger strike if Prabhu Deva married Nayanthara, while several women's organisations conducted protests against Nayanthara for bringing disrepute to the Tamil culture, burning an effigy of her.^[73] In 2012, Nayanthara confirmed that she had ended her relationship with Deva.^{[74][74][75][76]}

Nayanthara was born and brought up as a Syrian Christian.^[13] On 7 August 2011, she converted to Hinduism at the Arya Samaj Temple in Chennai. She went through Shuddhi Karma, a procedure involving a Vedic purification and a Homam where Nayanthara chanted the hymns from Veda and Gayatri Mantra under the guidance of the priest. After the purification ceremony, a Certificate of Conversion to Hinduism was issued to her and her stage name, Nayanthara, became her official name.^[77] She also visited a number of holy places, including Haridwar and Rishikesh in May 2014.^[78]

Filmography

Awards

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nayanthara.

• Nayanthara at the Internet Movie Database