Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale – A Glossy Tribute That Misses the Depth of Her Legacy
Director: Amith Krishnan
Genre: Documentary / Biographical
Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, now streaming on Netflix India, is positioned as a celebration of the iconic actor’s life and career. However, while it offers glimpses into her personal journey and the challenges she overcame, it ultimately leaves viewers with an incomplete picture. Directed by Amith Krishnan, the documentary is more of a curated love letter to Nayanthara’s resilience and fairytale-like rise to stardom, but it misses the opportunity to truly explore her career, struggles, and artistic legacy in depth.
The documentary's release became a topic of controversy even before its premiere. Actor Dhanush issued a legal notice to the makers, demanding ₹10 crores in damages for using Naanum Rowdy Thaan (NRD) content without permission, claiming copyright over the footage. In a bold and direct response, Nayanthara fired back, dismissing Dhanush’s claims, stating that there was no intention to misuse any content, and accusing him. This open, no-holds-barred reply from Nayanthara added an unexpected layer of drama to the release, drawing even more attention to the Netflix outing, which might otherwise not have received such widespread focus.
The Fairytale Narrative
Nayanthara, hailed as the “Lady Superstar” of South Indian cinema, has achieved what few women in the industry have—leading films as a bankable star while redefining what it means to be a female actor in a male-dominated industry. The documentary captures this aspect by highlighting her journey from Thiruvalla, a small town in Kerala, to her transformation into one of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema.
It paints a picture of her struggles in the early days, particularly her experience during the release of Ghajini in 2005. Nayanthara candidly shares how she faced body shaming and criticism despite following the director’s vision for the role. Celebrities like Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna, Tamannaah Bhatia, Rana Daggubati, and Vijay Sethupathi speak about her determination and resilience. Sethupathi points out that Nayanthara understood how an actor’s image is created, which helped her build a unique place in the industry.
The documentary also sheds light on her two-year break (2011–2013) when she stepped away from acting. Nayanthara shares that the decision wasn’t hers but was influenced by a relationship at the time. “When a situation came where I had to give up my profession… it can’t go lower than that,” she reflects. This hiatus was a turning point, as she returned with renewed determination, reclaiming her career and rising to even greater heights.
From Love to Stability
A significant portion of the documentary focuses on Nayanthara’s relationship with director Vignesh Shivan, which began on the sets of Naanum Rowdy Thaan in 2015. The documentary highlights their romance, with anecdotes from their colleagues, including Radhika Sarathkumar, who reveals that it was Dhanush who first noticed their budding relationship.
This section portrays their bond as a source of strength for both, culminating in their marriage and the birth of their twin sons, Uyir and Ulag. Vignesh Shivan is shown as a supportive partner, with both of them navigating challenges together. While this love story adds warmth to the narrative, it overshadows other aspects of Nayanthara’s life that deserve equal attention.
What the Documentary Misses
The most glaring flaw is its lack of depth in exploring Nayanthara’s prolific and impactful career. Over the course of 18 years, she has delivered powerful performances in films like Electra, E, Aramm, Maya, Raja Rani, Nee Enge En Anbe, Pudhiya Niyamam, Visawasam, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, etc all of which showcase her ability to anchor stories centered on strong, complex women.
The documentary fails to delve into her process as an actor, her choices in portraying these roles, or her collaborations with various including Vignesh Shivan himself. There is little to no discussion of how she shaped the perception of women in Indian cinema or the immense impact her work has had on future generations of actors.
The Oversight of Controversies
While Nayanthara’s personal life has been the subject of relentless media scrutiny, the documentary tiptoes around her past relationships. Though she briefly acknowledges the emotional toll of rumors and public judgment, the narrative avoids exploring the complexities of being a woman navigating love and heartbreak in the public eye.
Her statement, “The only thing that broke me was when people started assuming stories about me,” offers a rare glimpse of vulnerability, but the documentary doesn’t expand on how these experiences shaped her as a person and a professional. The impact of such struggles on her decision to step away from the industry and her eventual comeback could have provided a richer and more humanizing portrait.
A Sanitized, Curated Narrative
Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale seems carefully curated to present only what Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan want the audience to know. While this approach ensures the narrative remains celebratory, it sacrifices depth. It feels more like a glossy tribute.
For fans, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale offers a feel-good celebration of her success, her resilience, and her love story. However, for those seeking a deeper understanding of the actor who redefined superstardom for women, it feels like a missed opportunity. Her career, spanning films that pushed boundaries and defied stereotypes, deserved more attention.
Nayanthara: Beyond the fairy tale (Trailer)
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