Sathyan Anthikad recalls casting Nayanthara in her debut film

Nayanthara is one of the most influential women in Indian cinema today. The diva has nearly two decades of experience and has become a force to reckon with in the movie business. Though Nayanthara is actively working in Tamil cinema lately, she ventured into the entertainment industry with the 2003 release Malayalam film ‘Manassinakkare’. It was veteran filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad, who brought her to the world of cinema.

In a recent interview with a media house, Sathyan Anthikad recalled casting the then

Diana Kurian

in her debut film! Sathyan Anthikad, who directed ‘Manassinakkare’, Nayanthara’s debut film, shared that he first saw her in a magazine. The director revealed that he was in search of a new face for the character Gauri, and happened to come across a photo of Nayanthara, modeling for jewellery. He felt that Nayanthara had a very confident personality and reached her via the editor of the magazine. Sathyan Anthikad divulged that though Nayanthara agreed to the role, later she decided to step back as her relatives weren’t okay with her acting in movies. However, since Nayanthara and her parents were okay with her being in movies, Sathyan Anthikad motivated her to take the role!

Sathyan Anthikad also divulged that he was the one who named her Nayanthara. Her real name is Diana Kurian.

On the work front, Nayanthara’s latest outing was ‘Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadha’. She essayed the lead role, alongside Vijay Sethupathi, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Meanwhile, Nayanthara has two Malayalam movies - ‘Paattu’ and ‘Gold’ in the pipeline.