Actor
Nayanthara
Based In
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Origin
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Years Active
2003 – Present
Nayanthara Biography
Nayanthara – Full Information
- Full Name: Diana Mariam Kurian
- Stage Name: Nayanthara
- Date of Birth: 18 November 1984
- Age: 41 years (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Actress, Producer
- Years Active: 2003 – Present
- Industry: Primarily Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema
Education
- Schooling: St. Joseph’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Bangalore
- College: Marthoma College, Thiruvalla, Kerala
- Degree: B.A. in English Literature
Physical Appearance
- Height: Approx. 5 feet 6 inches
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
Family Background
- Mother: Rajeswari (Homemaker)
- Siblings: Two younger brothers
- Family Origin: Syrian Christian family from Kerala
- Upbringing: Grew up in Bangalore with a focus on education and discipline
Career Highlight
| Year | Movie Name | Career Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Manassinakkare | Acting debut in Malayalam cinema; commercial success |
| 2004 | Natturajavu | Co-starred with Mohanlal in Malayalam film |
| 2004 | Vismayathumbathu | Praised for her performance as a ghost; critical acclaim |
| 2005 | Ayya | Tamil debut as lead heroine; received widespread recognition |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Breakthrough Tamil film; ran over 800 days in theatres |
| 2005 | Thaskara Veeran | Malayalam film with Mammootty |
| 2005 | Rappakal | Malayalam film co-starring Mammootty |
| 2005 | Ghajini | Featured in secondary female role and item number; Tamil |
| 2006 | Kalvanin Kadhali | First release of 2006; performance praised |
| 2006 | Vallavan | Tamil film; lead role as a lecturer; critical praise |
| 2006 | E | Tamil sci-fi thriller; praised for her role as a bar dancer |
| 2006 | Thalaimagan | Tamil film; lead female character |
| 2006 | Lakshmi | Telugu debut as lead actress |
| 2006 | Boss, I Love You | Telugu film |
| 2007 | Billa | Tamil gangster film; major commercial success; first Filmfare Best Actress – Tamil nomination |
| 2007 | Tulasi | Telugu action drama; commercial success; Filmfare Best Actress – Telugu nomination |
| 2008 | Yaaradi Nee Mohini | Tamil family entertainer; critical acclaim |
| 2008 | Kuselan | Tamil film release |
| 2008 | Satyam | Tamil film release |
| 2008 | Aegan | Tamil film release |
| 2009 | Villu | Tamil film |
| 2009 | Aadhavan | Tamil film |
| 2010 | Adhurs | Telugu hit film |
| 2010 | Body Guard | Malayalam hit; Asianet Award for Best Actress |
| 2010 | Simha | Telugu blockbuster |
| 2010 | Boss Engira Bhaskaran | Tamil hit; commercial success |
| 2010 | Super | Kannada debut; positive reviews |
| 2010 | Elektra | Malayalam film; screened at International Film Festival of India |
| 2011 | Sri Rama Rajyam | Played Sita; won Filmfare Award – Telugu & Nandi Award |
| 2012 | Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum | Telugu film; comeback after sabbatical; critical acclaim |
| 2013 | Raja Rani | Tamil romantic comedy-drama; won Filmfare Award – Tamil |
| 2013 | Arrambam | Tamil action film; critical acclaim |
| 2014 | Anaamika | Tamil film; average success |
| 2015 | Maya | Horror film; praised for unconventional role |
| 2015 | Bhaskar the Rascal | Tamil film; commercial success |
| 2015 | Thani Oruvan | Tamil hit film |
| 2015 | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | Tamil black comedy; won Filmfare Award – Tamil |
| 2016 | Puthiya Niyamam | Malayalam film; played a rape victim; won Filmfare Award – Malayalam |
| 2016 | Thirunaal | Tamil film; village school teacher role |
| 2016 | Iru Mugan | Tamil action thriller; commercially successful |
| 2016 | Kaashmora | Tamil fantasy epic; lead role as queen |
| 2017 | Dora | Horror thriller |
| 2017 | Aramm | Tamil social drama; won Filmfare Award – Tamil |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | Tamil action thriller |
| 2018 | Jai Simha | Telugu film; lead role |
| 2018 | Kolamaavu Kokila | Tamil black comedy; huge success; Filmfare nomination |
| 2018 | Imaikkaa Nodigal | Tamil thriller; highest opening weekend for female-led film in Tamil |
| 2019 | Viswasam | Tamil film; lead role |
| 2019 | Airaa | Tamil film; lead role |
| 2019 | Kolaiyuthir Kaalam | Tamil thriller; lead role |
| 2019 | Bigil | Tamil sports action; third collaboration with Vijay |
| 2019 | Love Action Drama | Malayalam film; equal pay as male lead |
| 2019 | Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy | Telugu biopic; starred alongside Chiranjeevi |
| 2020 | Darbar | Supporting role with Rajinikanth |
| 2020 | Mookuthi Amman | Tamil devotional film; second entry into Hindu mythological genre |
| 2021 | Annaatthe | Tamil film with Rajinikanth |
| 2021 | Netrikann | Tamil remake of South Korean film Blind; critical acclaim |
| 2021 | Nizhal | Malayalam film |
| 2021 | Aaradugula Bullet | Telugu film; delayed release |
| 2022 | Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal | Tamil romantic comedy; lead role |
| 2022 | O2 | Tamil survival-thriller; played single mother |
| 2022 | Gold | Malayalam film with Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| 2022 | Godfather | Telugu film |
| 2022 | Connect | Tamil horror film |
| 2023 | Jawan | Hindi debut; NSG officer; critically acclaimed |
| 2023 | Iraivan | Tamil film; highest-paid South actress for this project |
| 2023 | Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food | Tamil film; mixed reviews |
| 2025 | Test | Tamil film; played a school teacher |
| 2025 | Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups | Upcoming |
| 2025 | Mookuthi Amman 2 | Upcoming |
| 2025 | Mannangatti Since 1960 | Upcoming |
| 2025 | Dear Students | Upcoming; alongside Nivin Pauly |
Recent Activity
- Toxic – Upcoming film starring alongside Yash; playing a powerful lead role.
- Reunion with Mammootty – Highly anticipated project marking another collaboration with the veteran actor.
- Promotional Appearances – Rare public promotions, including for Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
- Family Life – Sharing special moments with husband Vignesh Shivan while balancing her career.
- Media & Legal Matters – Moving past previous legal issues concerning her documentary while maintaining her professional presence.
Awards List
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Asianet Film Awards | Best New Face of the Year | Manassinakkare | Won |
| 2007 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Billa (Tamil) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Tulasi (Telugu) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Vijay Awards | Favourite Heroine | Billa | Won |
| 2008 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Yaaradi Nee Mohini (Tamil) | Nominated |
| 2008 | Vijay Awards | Favourite Heroine | Yaaradi Nee Mohini | Won |
| 2009 | Vijay Awards | Best Actress | Aadhavan | Nominated |
| 2010 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Actress | Body Guard | Won |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Boss Engira Bhaskaran (Tamil) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Simha (Telugu) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Super (Kannada) | Nominated |
| 2011 | CineMAA Awards | Best Actress (Jury) | Sri Rama Rajyam | Won |
| 2011 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Sri Rama Rajyam (Telugu) | Won |
| 2011 | Nandi Awards | Best Actress | Sri Rama Rajyam | Won |
| 2011 | Santosham Film Awards | Best Actress | Sri Rama Rajyam | Won |
| 2012 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Sri Rama Rajyam (Telugu) | Won |
| 2012 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (Telugu) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Raja Rani | Won |
| 2013 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Raja Rani (Tamil) | Won |
| 2013 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress (Critics) | Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum | Won |
| 2013 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Raja Rani | Won |
| 2013 | Vijay Awards | Best Actress | Raja Rani | Won |
| 2014 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Raja Rani (Tamil) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Vijay Awards | Favourite Heroine | Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal | Nominated |
| 2015 | International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Actress | Maya | Won |
| 2015 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | Won |
| 2015 | Edison Awards | The Gorgeous Belle | Thani Oruvan | Nominated |
| 2015 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | Won |
| 2015 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Anaamika (Telugu) | Nominated |
| 2016 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Iru Mugan | Nominated |
| 2016 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Puthiya Niyamam | Won |
| 2016 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Puthiya Niyamam (Malayalam) | Won |
| 2016 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (Tamil) | Won |
| 2016 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Bhaskar the Rascal (Malayalam) | Won |
| 2017 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Aramm | Won |
| 2017 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Aramm (Tamil) | Won |
| 2017 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Puthiya Niyamam (Malayalam) | Won |
| 2017 | Vijay Awards | Best Actress | Aramm | Won |
| 2018 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Imaikkaa Nodigal | Won |
| 2018 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Aramm (Tamil) | Won |
| 2019 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Kolaiyuthir Kaalam | Nominated |
| 2019 | Edison Awards | Favorite Actress | Bigil & Viswasam | Nominated |
| 2019 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Actress | Airaa | Nominated |
| 2020 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Mookuthi Amman | Nominated |
| 2020 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Viswasam | Won |
| 2021 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Netrikann | Nominated |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Mookuthi Amman | Nominated |
| 2022 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | O2 | Nominated |
| 2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Netrikann | Nominated |
| 2024 | Edison Awards | Best Actress | Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food | Nominated |
| 2024 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress | Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food | Won |
About Nayanthara
For her pan-South popularity, high box-office success, and strong female-centric roles.
Manassinakkare (Malayalam, 2003).
Yes, her Hindi debut was Jawan (2023) with Shah Rukh Khan.
Sri Rama Rajyam (Telugu, 2011).
Yes, she continues to take selective, high-profile projects across South Indian cinema.