Hello everyone! The lady superstar of South Indian cinema, Nayanthara, is the subject of our discussion today. She is a legend who altered the perception of female-led movies in India. Her path has been nothing short of legendary, ranging from Telugu and Tamil blockbusters to her Bollywood debut with Jawan.
She is a humanitarian, producer, and role model for millions of people in addition to being an actress. So grab some popcorn and get ready to explore the full list of Nayanthara movie that showcase her incredible career development over the last 20 years.
Let’s discuss about who is Nayanthara and her movies list.
Who is Nayanthara?
Nayanthara, who was born Diana Mariam Kurian in Bengaluru on November 18, 1984, made her cinematic debut in the early 2000s and immediately rose to fame. In addition to working in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, she has dabbled in Kannada and Hindi.
Depending on the source, she has appeared in between 75 and 80 movies.
During a period when most storylines centered on male leads, she, also known as Lady Superstar, pioneered female-centric films.
She actively supports social issues and was a co-founder of the production firm Rowdy Pictures.
She debuted in Bollywood in 2023 with Jawan, costarring Shah Rukh Khan, which ended up being her highest-grossing movie to date.
She has truly done it all be it comedy, action, romance, or horror. Here, we’ve put together the complete Nayanthara movie list, so let’s take a look.
Complete Nayanthara Movie List
Let’s go through her filmography across languages.
Manassinakkare (2003)
This touching family drama in Malayalam marked Nayanthara’s debut. She immediately demonstrated her natural on-screen persona as a pleasant young woman who has a unique bond with an elderly character.
- Genre: Family Drama
- Director: Sathyan Anthikad
- Co-stars: Jayaram, Sheela, Innocent
- Release Date: 19th December, 2003
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Box Office Collection: Approx. ₹4 Crores (Malayalam box office)
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit (marked Nayanthara’s successful debut in films)
Rappakal (2005)
Rappakal is an emotional Malayalam family drama that saw Nayanthara act opposite Mammootty. The movie is about a aged servant (Mammootty) who has been dedicated to a family for generations. Nayanthara appears as the daughter of the family, and her acting aptly fits the emotional depth of the movie. The film touches upon love, dedication, and bonds that go beyond blood ties.
- Genre: Family/Drama
- Director: Kamal
- Co-stars: Mammootty, Sharada, Geethu Mohandas
- Release Date: April 8, 2005
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Box Office Collection: Moderate box office success in Kerala
- Hit/Flop Status: Above Average / Critically Appreciated
Chandramukhi (2005)
Rajinikanth’s one of the largest Tamil blockbusters, this horror-comedy film showcased Nayanthara in the central role of Durga, a role which brought her pan-India fame. The movie went well with the three genres of comedy, horror, and drama.
- Genre: Horror/Comedy/Drama
- Director: P. Vasu
- Co-stars: Rajinikanth, Jyothika, Prabhu, Vadivelu
- Release Date: April 14, 2005
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Box Office Collection: More than ₹60 Crores (one of Tamil cinema’s highest then)
- Hit/Flop Status: All-Time Blockbuster
Ghajini (2005 cameo)
Nayanthara had a cameo in A.R. Murugadoss’ psychological action-thriller. Although short, her appearance lent charm in this Suriya Asin starrer which became a cult film.
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Director: A.R. Murugadoss
- Co-stars: Suriya, Asin, Pradeep Rawat
- Release Date: September 29, 2005
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹30+ Crores (Tamil)
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuste
Sivakasi (2005)
Nayanthara was cast opposite Vijay in this action-packed commercial entertainer with romance and family drama. The movie cemented her fame in Tamil cinema.
- Genre: Action/Drama
- Director: Perarasu
- Co-stars: Vijay, Prakash Raj, Ashish Vidyarthi
- Release Date: November 1, 2005
- IMDb Rating: 5.1/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹25+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit
Dubai Seenu (2007)
A masala entertainer featuring Ravi Teja, this film’s box office success in Telugu cinema made Nayanthara one of the best heroines of the industry.
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: Srinivas Reddy
- Co-stars: Ravi Teja, J.D. Chakravarthy, Neha Bamb
- Release Date: June 8, 2007
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹20+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit
Yogi (2007)
A remake of Prabhas’ Lakshya, the movie was an emotional action drama. Nayanthara’s performance as the female lead gave emotional depth.
- Genre: Action/Drama
- Director: V.V. Vinayak
- Co-stars: Prabhas, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Pradeep Rawat
- Release Date: January 12, 2007
- IMDb Rating: 4.5/10
- Box Office Collection: Average grosser
- Hit/Flop Status: Average
Billa (Tamil, 2007)
Nayanthara, a sizzling remake of the old-time classic, portrayed Sasha as a sassy and svelte role against Ajith. Her style look and act introduced a new style trend in Tamil film.
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Director: Vishnuvardhan
- Co-stars: Ajith Kumar, Prabhu, Namitha, Rahman
- Release Date: December 14, 2007
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Box Office Collection: Approx. ₹40 Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Super Hit
Telugu: Anjaneyulu (2009)
A commercial entertainer starring Nayanthara with Ravi Teja for the second time. The movie was a hit and sustained her momentum in Telugu cinema.
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: Parasuram
- Co-stars: Ravi Teja, Sonu Sood, Brahmanandam
- Release Date: August 12, 2009
- IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹20+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit
Adhurs (2010)
A fast-paced entertainer with Jr. NTR, Nayanthara demonstrated her glamour and comedy sense, establishing her versatility.
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: V.V. Vinayak
- Co-stars: Jr. NTR, Sheela Kaur, Brahmanandam
- Release Date: January 13, 2010
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹30+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit
Simha (2010)
A mass-action blockbuster with Balakrishna. Fans approved Nayanthara’s performance as a tough female protagonist.
- Genre: Action/Drama
- Director: Boyapati Srinu
- Co-stars: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Namitha, Sneha Ullal
- Release Date: April 30, 2010
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹30+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuster
Super (Kannada 2010)
Nayanthara appeared in one of her few Kannada movies, opposite Upendra, in this trendsetting Kannada socio-political sci-fi drama film.
- Genre: Political/Drama/Sci-Fi
- Director: Upendra
- Co-stars: Upendra, Tulip Joshi
- Release Date: December 3, 2010
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹20+ Crores (Kannada blockbuster)
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuster
Sri Rama Rajyam (Telugu, 2011)
A mythological epic film by Bapu, Sri Rama Rajyam is one of the most memorable films of Nayanthara’s career. She essayed the role of Goddess Sita, alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Lord Rama. Her elegant performance, dignified screen presence, and emotional depth earned her widespread critical acclaim. The film beautifully depicted the legend of Rama and Sita, particularly the Uttara Kanda part of the Ramayana.
- Genre: Mythological/Drama
- Director: Bapu
- Co-stars: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Srikanth
- Release Date: November 17, 2011
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹30+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit / Critically Acclaimed
- Awards: Nayanthara’s interpretation of Sita gave her huge respect, and she also won the Nandi Award for Best Actress.
Raja Rani (2013)
Romantic drama of second chances, Nayanthara enacted Regina, a heartbroken woman who finds love again. Her performance was heartfelt and turned out to be a highlight of her career.
- Genre: Romantic Drama
- Director: Atlee
- Co-stars: Arya, Jai, Nazriya Nazim, Sathyaraj
- Release Date: September 27, 2013
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: Approx. ₹85 Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuster
Arrambam (2013)
Arrambam is a chic Tamil thriller-action film in which Nayanthara acted as Anita, a brave investigative journalist. The movie is about Ashok Kumar (Ajith Kumar), a former commando who goes to uncover corruption and terrorism. Nayanthara’s character brings emotional depth and a moral fibre to the story, alongside Ajith’s brooding screen presence. Her pairing with Ajith was much admired, and her act held its ground in the presence of the movie’s A-list cast.
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Director: Vishnuvardhan
- Co-stars: Ajith Kumar, Arya, Taapsee Pannu, Rana Daggubati
- Release Date: October 31, 2013 (Diwali release)
- IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹90+ Crores worldwide
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuster
Maya (2015 Tamil)
A spine-tingling Tamil horror thriller in which Nayanthara single-handedly carried the entire film on her shoulders. As a single mother terrorized by paranormal occurrences, her performance was highly acclaimed.
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Director: Ashwin Saravanan
- Co-stars: Aari, Amzath Khan
- Release Date: September 17, 2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Box Office Collection: Approx. ₹25 Crores (on a low budget)
- Hit/Flop Status: Super Hit
Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015)
A quirky romantic comedy, directed by Vignesh Shivan, starred Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. She essays Kadhambari, a deaf woman who takes revenge for her father’s murder. Nayanthara’s natural charm, sense of humor, and chemistry with Vijay Sethupathi turned the film into a refreshing entertainer.
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Co-stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Parthiban, RJ Balaji
- Release Date: October 21, 2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹55+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Superhit
Dora (2017)
Horror-thriller with a supernatural touch, Dora featured Nayanthara as Pavalakkodi, who goes through strange happenings related to her car. Although it was not a commercial hit, it reflected her attempt to try out various genres.
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Director: Doss Ramasamy
- Supporting Cast: Thambi Ramaiah, Harish Uthaman
- Release Date: March 31, 2017
- IMDb Rating: 4.9/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹25+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Average
Kolamavu Kokila (2018)
Dark comedy directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Nayanthara acted as Kokila, a innocent girl who joins the world of drug smuggling to rescue her mother. Her development from innocence to toughness received huge appreciation, and the film became a commercial success.
- Genre: Dark Comedy/Crime
- Release Date: August 17, 2018
- Co-stars: Yogi Babu, Saranya Ponvannan, Anandaraj
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹70+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Superhit
Imaikkaa Nodigal (2018)
Suspense thriller, Nayanthara portrayed Anjali Vikramaditya, a bold CBI officer chasing a serial killer. Suspense and action were tightly woven into the film, with her role driving the story with command.
- Genre: Thriller/Crime
- Director: R. Ajay Gnanamuthu
- Co-stars: Atharvaa, Raashi Khanna, Anurag Kashyap (as the villain)
- Release Date: August 30, 2018
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹80+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Blockbuster
Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal (2022)
A light-hearted romantic comedy directed by Vignesh Shivan, the film starred Nayanthara along with Vijay Sethupathi and Samantha. She portrayed Kanmani, a strong and vulnerable woman entangled in a love triangle. The movie received mixed reviews but was fan favorite because of its star power and chemistry.
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Release Date: April 28, 2022
- Co-stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹75+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Above Average
Godfather (2022 Telugu)
Megastar Chiranjeevi-starrer political action drama, where Nayanthara played a significant role as Sathyapriya Jaidev. Her performance lent a different depth to the otherwise mass-oriented movie. She stood on par with the legendary Chiranjeevi, garnering appreciations from critics as well as masses.
- Genre: Political Action/Drama
- Director: Mohan Raja
- Release Date: October 5, 2022
- Co-stars: Chiranjeevi, Salman Khan (cameo), Satyadev
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹108+ Crores worldwide
- Hit/Flop Status: Hit
Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food (2023)
Women-centric drama in which Nayanthara portrayed Annapoorani, a lady who dreams to be a world-class chef in spite of societal and family constraints. The movie emphasized gender stereotypes, ambition, and belief in oneself. Despite controversies following its release, Nayanthara’s sincere performance was impressive.
- Genre: Drama/Inspirational
- Director: Nilesh Krishnaa
- Release Date: 1st December 2023
- Co-stars: Jai, Sathyaraj, Achyuth Kumar
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹35+ Crores
- Hit/Flop Status: Average
Jawan (2023, Hindi Debut)
Nayanthara’s big Bollywood entry against Shah Rukh Khan. She essayed a bold intelligence officer, bringing depth and charm to the high-octane action thriller directed by Atlee. This movie shot her to pan-India fame.
- Genre: Action/Thriller/Drama
- Director: Atlee
- Co-stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone (cameo), Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani
- Release Date: September 7, 2023
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹1150+ Crores globally (Nayanthara’s career-best grosser)
- Hit/Flop Status: All-Time Blockbuster
We’ve gone through her entire movie list, and that’s exactly what makes her stand out.
Why Nayanthara is Special?
- She broke stereotypes by proving that female-led films can be box office winners.
- Has worked with legends like Rajinikanth, Vijay, Ajith, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Shah Rukh Khan.
- Balances commercial entertainers with critically acclaimed roles.
- Known for grace, versatility, and strong screen presence.
What I Think About Nayanthara?
Honestly, I think Nayanthara is not just an actress but an entire movement in Indian cinema.
She showed that a heroine can open a film, carry it on her shoulders, and make it a superhit without depending on a hero. From her performance as Sita in Sri Rama Rajyam to the fearless cop in Imaikkaa Nodigal and the loving yet strong character in Jawan, she’s an all-rounder.
Not every movie of hers is a blockbuster, but her acting? Always 10/10.
Why You Should Watch Nayanthara’s Movies?
There’s a Nayanthara film for every mood:
- Romantic comedy? → Raja Rani, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan
- Serious drama? → Aramm, Sri Rama Rajyam
- Horror thrillers? → Maya, Dora
- Stylish action? → Billa, Arrambam
- Bollywood magic? → Jawan
She’s proof that content + stardom is the winning formula.
FAQs
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What is Nayanthara’s debut movie?
Her debut was in Manassinakkare (2003), a Malayalam film.
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Which is Nayanthara’s highest-grossing film?
Nayanthara hindi debut Jawan (2023) with Shah Rukh Khan, that cross ₹1100 crore worldwide.
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Why is Nayanthara called Lady Superstar?
She redefined stardom for women in South cinema by delivering female-centric hits consistently.
Final words
Nayanthara’s list of films demonstrates why she is the real Lady Superstar of Indian cinema. Her path is inspirational, starting with her modest Malayalam beginning and progressing to dominate Tamil and Telugu screens before taking over Bollywood.
Start watching her films right away if you haven’t already; you’ll see why her admirers refer to her as Lady Superstar and Thalaivi. We are eager to watch what she does next since she is here to stay.
