Wonder Woman Nayanthara: How A Small-Time TV Anchor Became 'Lady Superstar' (image:instagram/wikkiofficial)
Often in her interviews, Nayanthara talks about being true to yourself, and to your work; her journey reciprocates believe in yourself what really means. She says, “There is no strategy or plan, just a lot of hard work, dedication and determination,” Forbes India quotes. From a regional television anchor to lady superstar, her journey is thrilling, fascinating, and inspirational.
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Her presence and popularity over south Indian states is unparallel, and the longevity in her career especially in a male-dominated industry is even more aspirational. When the movie industry decides the “shelf-life” of an actress in advance, and reduces their roles to certain templates, Nayanthara, on the other hand, breaking the norms and practices, single handedly shoulders films, and wields audience to movies. In India where celebrity worship of stars extends to celebrating and honouring them beyond movies, Nayanthara is equally celebrated and extraordinarily.
Began her career as a village girl in Sathyan Anthikad’s Manasinakkare, she marked her presence in succeeding Malayalam films such as Vismayathumbathu, and Natturajavu. Her entry to Tamil cinema in Sarath Kumar starrer Ayya was a spontaneous decision. With Chandramukhi, working alongside Rajinikanth, she started her busiest career in Kollywood. She paired opposite to leading actors in south cinema, and was part of successful commercial projects as female lead.
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It was in 2011, resuming the career after a brief hiatus, Nayanthara – an actor began to evolve. Following she started solo leads, and the movies Dora, Aramm, Kolamaavu Kokila, and Imaikkaa Nodigal, received critical appreciation. And when she appeared in commercial superstar movies, rather a token female lead, she was placed in significant position alongside male lead. For instance, in the Tamil movie Bigil, though Vijay is the lead, in a scene Nayanthara delivers a powerful monologue about women’s passion and dreams: “Is passion only male specific? Shouldn’t apply to women?” Similarly, her roles in Viswasam, Darbar, and Annaatthe. Besides, she also made her presence felt in OTT through Mookuthi Amman, Netrikann, and O2. Through Shah Rukh Khan movie Jawan, Nayanthara made her successful entry to Bollywood as well.
In last year, Nayanthara and Director Vignesh Shivan tied their knot after dating for over seven years. They have twin boys – Uyir and Ulag.
Nayanthara is the only south Indian actress in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for 2018, she treats her roles in small projects and high-end commercial projects with utmost diligence, and professionalism. The controversies have always been a constant companion in Nayanthara’s life, and like her selection of movies, she chose to be selective in responses. In the recent years, the actress has expanded her career as a producer and entrepreneur also. Nayanthara co-founded production company with husband and director Vignesh Shivan, and is a co-founder of a lipbalm company with dermatologist Dr Renita Rajan. In September, she has also launched her skincare brand, 9Skin.
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Nayanthara’s story is not fairy tale, it indeed is a story of struggle, survival, and of a lone warrior. Whether in life or in movies, she is rewriting the narrative; What is more “mass” than a woman ascertaining her position, commandeering strong scenes, and treading the unconventional path successfully and unapologetically.
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