On Nayanthara's 40th birthday, here’s a look at 8 lesser-known facts about the 'Lady Superstar' of South cinema.
Nayanthara, the well-known artist who works predominantly in Tamil cinema, is one of the highest-paid actresses in India. With a career spanning over two decades, she made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Manassinakkare (2003), Tamil debut with Ayya (2005), and Telugu debut with Lakshmi (2006). Her other well-known films include Anaamika (2014), Maya (2015), Dora (2017), Airaa (2019), Mookuthi Amman (2020), and Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food (2023), among others.
To say the least, she has been ruling hearts across the world with her acts in regional films. Now as the actress celebrates her 40th birthday on November 18, let’s have a look at some of the lesser-known facts about the ‘lady-superstar of South cinema’.
1. Do you know that Nayanthara’s real name is Diana Mariam Kurian? Yes, you read that right. The actress was born in Bangalore to Kurian Kodiyattu and Omana Kurian. Since her father was in the Indian Air Force, Nayanthara had been schooled in various parts of the country. While she was raised as a Syrian Christian, she converted to Hindu in 2011.
2. Nayanthara had no plans to be in the films from the start but was going to pursue Chartered Accountancy. However, she eventually got into films, and the rest is history.
3. Nayanthara has studied in different schools in Jamnagar, Gujarat and Delhi, and undertook literature from Marthoma College.
4. Reportedly, the actress was in a relationship with Silambarsan and Prabhu Dheva. Her relationship with Prabhu Dheva had been widely talked about.
5. Nayanthara remains one of the highest-paid South Indian actresses, and reportedly charges Rs 50 lakhs per film to Rs 10 crore per film.
6. She has an elder brother too, and got married to filmmaker and actor Vignesh Shivan. The couple welcomed twins later this year.
7. Nayanthara is a polydactyl, and as per reports, she uses a rudimentary finger on her left hand.
8. She made her Hindi film debut with the action thriller Jawan opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2023.
