Nayanthara Beyond the Fairy Tale Review: Presents known but carefully put together facts about Lady Superstar’s relationships and struggles

Nayanthara Beyond the Fairy Tale Review: Presents known but carefully put together facts about Lady Superstar's relationships and struggles

As I delved into the captivating world of Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale, I was left with a profound sense of admiration for the actress’s indomitable spirit and resilience. It’s not often that we get to glimpse the life of such a celebrated figure, especially when it comes to their personal struggles and triumphs.


Name: Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale

Director: Amith Krishnan

Actors: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Vijay Sethupathi, Nagarjuna, Rana Daggubati, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Taapsee Pannu, Tamannaah Bhatia, Nelson Dilipkumar and others

Duration: 1 hour and 22 minutes

In honor of Nayanthara’s birthday, Netflix unveiled a documentary that pays tribute to her superstardom, aptly named “Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale.” This film offers an insightful look into the life and career of the Lady Superstar, delving into the struggles faced by an actor. Additionally, it underscores the importance of finding tranquility in a hectic world with the right companion.

Under the guidance of Amith Krishnan, this documentary showcases conversations with prominent figures such as Nagarjuna, Vijay Sethupathi, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Atlee, Nelson Dilipkumar, Sathyan Anthikad, and others.

Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale – Review

Nayanthara: Beyond the Enchanting Tale initiates by showcasing an endearing clip featuring Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, affectionately addressing each other as best friends with a touch of shyness. The movie starts much like a documentary, focusing closely on the main subject to add a cinematic feel. It seems that director Amith Krishnan has meticulously researched and adhered to the guidelines of documentary filmmaking.

Instead, it appears as if Nayanthara’s wedding preparations at Tirupati are being deliberately portrayed, given that her team is seen discussing issues preventing the nuptials. It’s common knowledge that weddings can be complex and fraught with difficulties. However, the individuals in the scene seem to be acting according to a script or plan. Following this, the story transitions into an account of her foray into the entertainment industry.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly aim to inspire and bring joy through my documentary. Whether I successfully achieve these goals is yet to unfold.

Initially, it might appear somewhat weak, but spectators quickly understand the plot’s flow. Nayanthara, formerly Diana Kurien, had no intention of becoming an actress. Born into an Air Force family, she spent her childhood in a tightly-knit household. Looking back, she remembers growing up in a regimented atmosphere where movie viewing was infrequent.

Yet, destiny had different ideas. One day, director Sathyan Anthikkad chanced upon Nayanthara’s face on a magazine cover and instantly decided to cast her in Sheela’s comeback film titled Manassinakkare. At first, she was reluctant, but eventually consented to act alongside Jayaram.

Starting from there, she embarked on her career by collaborating with the acclaimed Malayalam actor Mohanlal in her next project. Subsequently, she ascended the ranks of fame and shared screen space with legends such as Mammootty, Rajinikanth, and others. It was evident at this juncture that Nayanthara’s rise to stardom was unstoppable.

During her seemingly unstoppable career, Nayanthara experienced a significant low point when she starred in the movie Ghajini featuring Suriya. She recently shared her experiences of being criticized for her appearance and facing body shaming. Amidst this, she was also grappling with personal hardships as her father fell ill, which left her mother to bear all the family responsibilities.

The documentary skillfully follows Nayanthara’s early steps into show business, yet it also highlights the tireless work actors undertake to captivate their audience. But this film isn’t solely focused on Nayanthara overcoming actress-related hurdles; it delves into her battles with personal struggles as well.

The documentary illustrates for us that, despite being a renowned star, Nayanthara faces vulnerabilities like everyone else. Overcoming harsh public scrutiny and rising above life’s toughest challenges is not an easy task, but this film highlights her remarkable resilience in overcoming such difficulties.

What works in the documentary?

Amith Krishnan shines in this documentary by not only recounting Nayanthara’s battles in life but also presenting her as a dominant figure within the South Indian film world. The interviews with prominent actors smoothly engage viewers, making up a strong foundation for the first half of the documentary.

Notable personalities such as Nagarjuna, Rana Daggubati, Vijay Sethupathi, Upendra, among others, admire Nayanthara as a genuine warrior who understands her position within the entertainment industry. Simultaneously, conversations with Tamannaah Bhatia, Taapsee Pannu, Parvathy, and Radikaa bring forth how her courageous movie selections broke stereotypes, bestowing upon her the moniker “Lady Superstar.

In the first part of this account, it delves into the acting career progression of Nayanthara. The second half captivatingly unfolds her romantic tale with Vignesh Shivan, a connection sparked during Naanum Rowdy Dhaan filming in 2015. Despite the buzz surrounding the movie’s issues, it was Dhanush who privately informed Radikaa about Nayanthara and Vignesh’s relationship. Interestingly, this revelation came as a surprise to everyone on set, since they were unaware of their clandestine love blossoming at that time.

In the midst of emotions running high, the couple overcame their initial reservations and openly declared their affection for one another. Their love story reached its peak with an extravagant wedding held at a glass house in Mahabalipuram. To fulfill her mother’s wish for a Christian ceremony, Nayanthara seamlessly blended aspects of both cultures into her bridal attire.

The documentary elegantly depicts their grand wedding, graced by celebrities like Suriya, Jyotika, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, Anirudh Ravichander, Mani Ratnam, and more. It captures every precious moment, from Nayanthara’s walk down the aisle to the couple receiving blessings from their elders, all with a sense of elegance.

The documentary concludes with a poignant moment as Nayanthara reveals her happiness and affirming that she now possesses all she had ever desired in life. She additionally offers rare glimpses of her twin sons, Uyir and Ulag, demonstrating how her life has returned to its original state.

What doesn’t work in the documentary?

The 1 hour and 22 minute long film mainly concentrates on the wedding of Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, but it might not have been essential for this event to take center stage in the storyline. Despite its captivating depiction, there was room for other aspects to contribute more to the narrative as well.

In the first half, Nayanthara briefly discusses her failed relationships, a topic that even caught Nagarjuna’s attention during a film shoot. However, this part was only lightly touched upon and lacked depth.

The documentary also features a moment where Nayanthara reveals how she took a break from acting for the sake of a man in her life. Unfortunately, the makers chose to present this significant detail in just a few seconds and seemingly avoided a deeper exploration of her vulnerabilities. 

The movie creators seemed intentionally to steer clear of storylines that could potentially change the viewers’ opinions about her well-crafted public persona.

Rather than delving deeply into the complex facets of her life, the documentary shifts its focus towards her romantic journey with Vignesh Shivan and their upcoming nuptials instead. Although her love tale is heartwarming, it may detract from highlighting her professional growth, which could have provided a more compelling perspective for viewers.

It’s intriguing that Vignesh seems more sincere in the documentary compared to Nayanthara, who seems to prioritize maintaining her public image. Some scenes in the documentary give off a vibe that they may not be entirely genuine.

Eventually, “Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale” appears more like a tale she desired to pass on, instead of what audiences might initially anticipate. Although this documentary stirs up tears among viewers, the representation feels strikingly different from actuality.

The verdict

This documentary is ideal if you’re yearning for a magical, storybook-style wedding and love story. However, if you prefer a more realistic approach, it may not meet your expectations.

Indeed, Amith Krishnan skillfully showcased a new aspect of Nayanthara in “Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale,” offering audiences an alternative perspective on the actress.

Watch the trailer below:

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2024-11-18 12:54