Nayanthara, often dubbed the “Lady Superstar” of South Indian cinema, has always maintained a veil of privacy around her personal life. Known for her reserved nature and rare interviews, the actor recently broke her silence in the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. In a candid revelation, she confirmed long-standing speculations about stepping away from films at the height of her career due to the influence of a romantic partner.
Leaving Films at Her Peak
In the documentary, Nayanthara opened up about her relationships without naming anyone. While discussing her second relationship, she disclosed, “It was the man who told me to quit cinema. It wasn’t like I had an option. I was told to leave the cinema, and I agreed.”
Reports suggest that the relationship in question was with choreographer-turned-filmmaker Prabhu Deva between 2010 and 2013. At the time, Prabhu Deva was married but had publicly expressed his intention to leave his wife, Latha, to marry Nayanthara. Amid the controversy, Nayanthara maintained her silence and stepped away from films for two years in 2011, despite being at the peak of her career.
The Comeback
According to reports, Nayanthara’s relationship with Prabhu Deva ended during her hiatus, as he faced pressure from his family to reconcile with his wife. The actor made a powerful comeback in 2013 with Nagarjuna offering her a role when many believed her career was over.
Veteran filmmaker Sathyan Anthikkad, who directed Nayanthara’s debut film Manassinakkare in 2003, recalled their conversation during her break. “One day, she called me out of the blue. We spoke for hours. She just needed someone to listen to her. That conversation defined her decision to return to cinema,” he said in the documentary.
A Golden Era
Nayanthara’s return marked the beginning of another golden chapter in her career. She delivered consecutive hits, transitioned into doing solo-led films, and made her Bollywood debut with Jawan in 2023. Today, she is not only a celebrated actor but also a producer and entrepreneur.
Nayanthara is married to filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, and the couple has twin sons, Uyir and Ulag. Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale chronicles her professional and personal journey and is now streaming on Netflix.