In the Netflix docuseries ‘Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale,’ the iconic South Indian actress reflects on the challenges she encountered on her journey to stardom. She candidly shared that the lowest point of her career was during the filming of the 2005 Tamil blockbuster ‘Ghajini’, directed by A. R. Murugadoss and co-starring Suriya and Asin.
Nayanthara recalled how she faced harsh criticism and was fat-shamed by certain sections of the media and audiences during the film’s release.
She noted being labeled as “overweight” and questioned about her place in the film industry, saying, “People were like, ‘Why is she even acting? Why is she even there in the film? She’s so fat.’”
The actress expressed how these remarks deeply affected her self-confidence. She emphasized that while constructive feedback on her acting is welcome, personal attacks about her body were uncalled for.
“You can’t say such things,” she said. “You can talk about the performance part of it. Maybe, I was not good. But I was doing exactly what my director told me to do.”
As a newcomer at the time, Nayanthara felt she had little control over decisions related to costumes or portrayal.
Despite the negativity, Nayanthara persevered and has now become a celebrated actress, often referred to as the “Lady Superstar” of Indian cinema. Her journey highlights her ability to rise above challenges and stay committed to her craft.
The docuseries offers a glimpse into the personal and professional struggles behind her meteoric rise, inspiring fans with her resilience and self-belief.
