Nayantara

Diana Mariam Kurien (born in 1984 in Kerala, India), popularly known by her stage name Nayanthara (Malayalam :നയന്‍ താര), is a south Indian actress and has acted in Malayalam,Tamil and Telugu movies.





Career


Nayanthara was born on 8th November 1984 as an Orthodox Syrian Christian in Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. She did her schooling at various parts of India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) as her father was an Air Force Official. She joined Balikamadom High School, Thiruvalla for +2, then joined Marthoma college in Thiruvalla for her bachelors degree (English Literature). While at college, she was spotted by director Satyan Anthikkad and cast opposite Jayaram in Mansinakkare. Afterwards, she co-starred alongside Mohanlal in Naatturajaavu and in Fazil's Vismayathumbathu. She was also cast with Mammootty in Thaskaraveeran (Dubbed into Tamil as Yuvaraj) and Raapakal.
She has also starred in several Tamil and Telugu movies. She was cast opposite Sarath Kumar in Ayya and with Rajnikanth in Chandramukhi. Her later films are Vallavan (Tamil), Gajini (Tamil), Yogi (Telugu) etc floped except Ghajini. She regained her throne in Kollywood through Billa in 2007. Her next movie Yaaradi Nee Mohini was a stupendous success and she became the Queen of Kollywood next to Trisha Krishnan. Nayanthara is currently a leading star in Southern Cinema, with leading roles in films with Rajnikanth - Kuselan, with Ajith Kumar - Aegan, with Vijay - Villu, with Vishal - Sathyam. She is currently the highest paid South Indian actress. She was paid Rs. 1 crore for Sathyam, Kuselan and Aegan.





Personal life


Nayantara created headlines when publicity posters of her movie Vallavan sprung up around Chennai showing her Vallavan co-star, Silambarasan and her kissing, who she was rumoured as involved with at the time. However,the pair broke up citing differences soon after the film was released.Further controversy was created when rumours leaked out that the plot of Silambarasan's forthcoming film, Kettavan, was based on the couple's true love story.