'Jawan', starring Shah Rukh Khan as the lead, marked Nayanthara's debut in Hindi cinema. However, the makers had originally approached another actress for the role.
Think about the superstars of South Indian cinema (technically, there's no such thing as "South Indian cinema" as all the four industries are very distinct from each other), and names like Rajinikanth, Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Allu Arjun, Yash, and Mohanlal will instantly come to your mind. I don't really blame you, because these industries are indeed very much dominated by the male. It's very tough for a woman here - no matter how beautiful or talented - to carve out a niche and build a legacy that stands on par (or at least close) with that of the male superstars. And this is exactly where Nayanthara, the "lady superstar" of South Indian cinema, stands apart and shines!
Born on November 18, 1984, Nayanthara predominantly works in Tamil cinema (along with a few Telugu and Malayalam films), but enjoys an unparalleled craze across South India. And back in 2023, she became a rage in North India as well, with her work in 'Jawan', where he romanced none other than Shah Rukh Khan. With her portrayal of an NSG officer, Narmada Rai, she received enormous critical acclaim from every part of India. As Taran Adarsh wrote, "Nayanthara looks stunning and delivers a first-rate performance."
(Credit: shilparao)
However, what many don't know is that the actress wasn't the first choice for the role. Today, on the occasion of her 40th birthday, let's learn about that in this article.
According to multiple reports, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, one of Telugu cinema's biggest stars, was the original choice for the leading lady in 'Jawan'. If the reports are to be believed, it was around 2019 when the makers of 'Jawan' approached Samantha for the same. At that time, she intended to start a family with her then-husband Naga Chaitanya. Hence, she declined the offer, paving the way for Nayanthara to come on board.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Nayanthara said 'yes' to the offer immediately. The rest - no matter how cliched it sounds - is history.
Nayanthara and Samantha are long-time friends
It's worth noting that all these are based on reports only. Neither Nayanthara nor Samantha has confirmed it.
Notably, in October 2021, Samantha and Naga announced their separation in a joint statement.
Co-written and directed by Atlee in his Hindi film debut, 'Jawan' is an action thriller film starring Shah Rukh Khan in dual roles. Nayanthara appears as the female lead, while Deepika Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, and Sanya Malhotra among others play pivotal roles.
Although the film is primarily in Hindi, a few scenes (particularly the "Zinda Banda" song, Sethupathi's portions, and scenes featuring Yogi Babu) were simultaneously re-shot for the Tamil version. It was filmed at various locations across India, such as Pune, Mumbai, Goregaon, Hyderabad, Chennai, Rajasthan and Aurangabad. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, while G. K. Vishnu handled cinematography and Ruben editing.
Shah Rukh Khan in and as ‘Jawan’
Upon its theatrical release on September 7, 2023, the film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. And it grossed over ₹1,148.32 crores, emerging as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the second-highest-grossing Hindi film, and the fifth-highest-grossing Indian film.
Happy Birthday, Nayanthara. May You Achieve Even Greater Heights In The Coming Years!
