Nayanthara recently reflected on the ups and downs of her life and career in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. The actor candidly discussed her decision to quit films in 2011 at the urging of then-partner, Prabhu Deva, and how that phase shaped her understanding of love, sacrifice, and self-worth.
“I was in a phase where I believed that I have to compromise if I wanted love in my life. I was too vulnerable and young,” she shared. Being surrounded by unconventional relationships in the film industry influenced her thinking. “I thought if your partner doesn’t like you doing something, you should just sacrifice. That was my understanding of love at that time.”
Her decision to leave cinema was tested during the filming of Sri Rama Rajyam, which she initially believed would be her last film. “I realised this isn’t just a profession. It’s a part of me, and I’m born to do this,” she revealed. After her relationship with Prabhu Deva ended, she made a powerful comeback in 2013, starting with Greeku Veerudu, marking the beginning of a career resurgence.
Today, Nayanthara credits her husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, for redefining her perception of love. “Meeting him changed everything. I used to think unconditional love didn’t exist, but now I know it does—you just have to find the right person.”
The couple’s journey, including their marriage in 2022, was recently chronicled in a Netflix documentary, inspiring fans worldwide. Nayanthara’s transformation, both personal and professional, is a tale of resilience, proving that self-belief can emerge even from the toughest trials.
On the work front, Nayanthara currently has Test, Rakkayie, Mannangatti Since 1960, Dear Students, Mookuthi Amman 2, and an untitled Mahesh Narayanan film in the pipeline.
