In the Indian film industry, the adoration for male stars is widely acknowledged. But it’s not just heroes who command massive fan bases and blockbuster earnings; some heroines have reached similar heights of stardom. Among them, one name stands out: Nayanthara, fondly referred to as the ‘Lady Superstar’.
Born Diana Mariam Kurien into a modest family in Karnataka, Nayanthara is the daughter of army officer Kurien Kodiyattu and housewife Oommen Kurien. Her acting journey began in 2003 with the Malayalam film Manassinakkare (2003), which instantly drew public attention. Her subsequent debut in Tamil cinema with Ayya (2005) was a major success, catapulting her to fame.
Nayanthara went on to become one of India’s most celebrated actresses, delivering numerous hits across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. She reached a significant career milestone by starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan (2023), a film that surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore mark at the box office.
While her professional achievements are widely known, her personal life has also made headlines. Originally from a Christian background, she converted to Hinduism at the age of 27 and adopted the name Nayanthara.
She was previously linked romantically to actor Simbu and choreographer-actor Prabhu Deva, before marrying filmmaker Vignesh Shivan in 2022. The couple welcomed twin sons via surrogacy.
Today, Nayanthara is reportedly the highest-paid actress in South Indian cinema, commanding between Rs 5 to Rs 10 crore per film. Her estimated net worth exceeds Rs 200 crore. She lives a luxurious lifestyle, owning a Rs 100 crore 4BHK flat in Mumbai, a fleet of luxury cars, and even a private jet.
Currently, she is working on Mookuthi Amman 2, which recently launched with a religious ceremony in Chennai. The event was attended by co-stars Meena, Khushboo, Regina, and director Sundar C. She is also set to appear in an upcoming project with Anil Ravipudi and megastar Chiranjeevi.