Actual Name: Diana Mariam Kurien

Screen Name: Nayantara

Birth Date: 18 November 1984

Birth Place: Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.

Father: Mr.Kurian Kodiattu

Mother: Mrs.Omana Kurian

Sibling: Elder brother Lenu Kodiattu

Education Qualification: B.A literature Graduate

Mother tongue: Malayalam

The keralite beauty Nayantara did schooling from North India (Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Punjab and Karnataka). She joined Balikamadom High School, Thiruvalla for +2, then joined Marthoma College in Thiruvalla for her bachelors degree (English Literature).She became interested in acting after getting good exposure from college.
While at college, she was chosen by director Satyan Anthikkad and was cast opposite Jayaram in Mansinakkare.After that she played a role opposite Mohanlal in Fazil's Vismayathumbathu.
Nayantara’s Malayalam film career
Actress Nayantara made her debut onto the Silver Screen by a Malayalam film Manassinakkare opposite Jayaram directed by Satyan Anthikkad.This film was a big hit in the Malayalam film industry.The next released film was Vishmayathumbathu, in this Nayantara paired up with the renowned hero Mohanlal and made the audience to applaud and appreciate for her acting skills. This beauty acted in the film Natturajjavu opposite to the hero Mohanlal which was also brought the beauty very good name for acting skills making the film super hit in the industry. She did two Malayalam films in the same year titled Thaskara Veeran and Rappakal.In these both films she was paired opposite to the versatile actor Mamoothy.Thaskara veeran was directed by pappan & pramod where as Rappakal was directed by Kamal. These two films also did a fair business in the Malayalam industry and also won Nayantara laurels for her immense dancing and acting skills.
Nayantara’s Tamil film career
Nayantara made her Tamil film debut with the film Aaya casted opposite to Actor Sarath Kumar which was directed by director Hari who saw her work in the Malayalam films and was impressed by it .This film was a hit in the industry and she proved her mettle with this tamil debut film that she can rule the tamil industry also with much ease. In the same year the much awaited film Chandramukhi was released. This film was directed by Director Vasu.In this film the Kollywood actress Nayantara acted Opposite to the very popular Tamil star Rajnikanth. It was also a huge success not only in south India but also abroad. It was a big commercial success. The next film was Ghajini in which she acted opposite to Hero Surya.This film was directed By AR Murgadas. Actress Nayanathara also acted in the film Sivakasi directed by the director Perarasu in the same year opposite to hero Vijay, but this film did an average collection business.
In the following year she took up another film Kalavanin Kadhalai directed by Tamilvaanan.S.J Suryah was the hero. But this film did not work out to be a hit. Then in the end of the year she acted in the film Vallavan in which Young blood Simbhu was the hero. In this film she stole the hearts of her male fans with her style. The Keralite beauty acted in the film titled Thalaimagan.It was opposite to Actor Sarath Kumar. It was directed by Sarath Kumar himself and was an average film commercially. Nayantara then gave a superb performance in the film titled E Jeeva Acted as a hero in this film and was also directed by director Jeeva.But it was an average film in the box office. She then took up the project of acting in the film Sivaji: The Boss with Actor Rajnikanth as hero and was directed by Shanker.But in this film Nayantara gave a guest appearance and was well received by the audience. It was a huge hit commercially not only in Tamil film industry but also in the Indian cinema history. With her attractive looks and talent, it is no wonder that she is one of the most popular actresses in the Tamil film industry.

Nayantara’s Telugu film career
Nayantara made her debut in the Telugu film Lakshmi opposite Venkatesh.This film was directed by V.V Vinayak.This film was a big hit, Especially Nayantara won all praises for her dance. Boss was the title of Nayantara’s next film in Telugu directed by V.N Aditya. Nagarjuna was the hero. The film bombed at the box office and was a big flop. A film Titled Yogi was released with Prabhas as a Hero. It was Directed by Vinayak.The film did an average business at the box office. Dubai Seenu was Nayantara next release opposite hero Ravi Teja.It was directed by Srinu Vaitla.This film also was a flop.
By these flops she became little bit choosy about her next film script and portrayal of her character and at this time “Tulasi” came as breezer to her dimming career. Venkatesh was the hero and it was directed by Boyapati Srinu.This film is declared a musical hit.


Nayantara is also acting in the movies Yaradhi Nee Mohini with Dhanush as a hero and Jawahar as a director. Satyam and Raja Vesham are recently announced films which may be released in the year 2008 ending or 2009 beginning . She's going to pair with Surya in singam, directed by director Hari and with Kathi, Surya's brother, in a movie directed by Lingusamy.


Filmography
Film
ManassinakkareVismayathumbathuNatturajavuAyyaChandramukhiThaskara VeeranRappakalGhajiniSivakasiKalvanin KadhaliLakshmiBossVallavanThalaimaganEYogiDubai SeenuSivaji: The BossTulasiBillaYaaradi Nee MohiniKuselanSathyamTwenty: 20AeganVilluSalute

TRIVIA
Nayantara meaning is "Eyes like Stars".She is a Christian by Religion .5 feet 4 inches beauty with a mind blowing vital stats by nature . She is called as Mani by her father. This Kerala beauty is also known for her Punctuality and Dedication towards her work for every film she commits. Nayantara also bagged a good name for her acting Skills.