Nayantara, born Diana Mariam Kurien, is a renowned actress of Indian origin, hailing from a Malayali Nasrani (Syrian Christian) family. Her father, Kurien Kodiyattu, was an Indian Army Officer, and her mother, Omana Kurien, played a significant role in shaping her early life. Nayantara has a younger brother, Leno, who resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
As a child, Nayantara moved around the country, attending schools in various cities, including Chennai, Jamnagar, Delhi, and Gujarat. Her family eventually settled in Kerala, where she completed her college education.
Nayantara's journey in the film industry began in 2003, when she was spotted by director Sathyan Anthikkad, who cast her in a Malayalam movie. Two years later, she made her debut in Tamil and Telugu films, and eventually, she also acted in Kannada movies.
Throughout her career, Nayantara has earned a reputation for acting alongside male actors who are significantly older than her. Her early roles included films opposite Jayaram, Rajnikanth, Sarath Kumar, Mohanlal, and Mammotty.
In a notable turn of events, Nayantara was cast as the lead in Simbu's directorial debut, alongside the young actor himself. The intimate posters featuring the duo sparked controversy, leading to their removal by the police. Similarly, her posters with co-star S.J. Surya created a stir in Chennai.
In September 2010, Prabhu Deva publicly declared his love for Nayantara, despite being married to Ramalath and having three children. The couple's tumultuous relationship ended in a contested court battle, resulting in their divorce in July 2011.
On August 7, 2011, Nayantara, a Jacobite Christian, converted to Hinduism at the Arya Samaj Mandir in Chennai, officially adopting her screen name as her new identity.
With her captivating looks and undeniable talent, Nayantara has become one of the most sought-after and popular actresses in the South Indian film industry.
