Ayya
For many Tamil fans, Nayanthara was known as a conservative young girl clad in half Saree thanks to her debut film Ayya that released in 2005. She was paired opposite Sarathkumar and she won the admiration of many for her bubbly and innocent looks. The movie was directed by Hari and was a rural tale.
Chandramukhi
Her biggest success in the early stages of her career was Chandramukhi. Nayanthara was cast opposite Rajinikanth and she played the role of Durga. The song Konja Neram from the movie went on to become a chart topper. The movie was directed by P Vasu and Jyothika played the lead.
E
Nayanthara’s acting skills were very prominent in E. The movie directed by National award winning filmmaker Jananathan had Jiiva play the male lead. She donned the role of a bar dancer and had a meaty share in the movie and her performance was acclaimed.
Billa
Billa that released in 2007 saw a different Nayanthara. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, Nayanthara was cast as Sasha. This was the most fashionable role she played. She oozed style, swag and became the darling of masses. She won rave reviews and fans welcomed her in a big way. Nayanthara established herself at the box office with a stupendous show.
Boss Engira Baskaran
The funny side of Nayanthara came out with her performance in Boss Engira Baskaran. The movie released in 2010, had Arya play the male lead. This light-hearted flick was directed by M Rajesh. She played a lecturer Chandrika in it and her comedy timing won her good reviews.
Raja Rani
Nayanthara’s rise to stardom began with Raja Rani in 2013. Directed by Atlee, she played Arya’s wife. Interestingly this was the first heroine-centric movie made with Nayanthara in the lead. She shouldered the responsibility well to deliver an astounding show. She was acclaimed and adored and eventually, the movie went on to become a blockbuster.
Nanum Rowdy Thaan
Again with this light-hearted comedy, Nayanthara proved that she is capable of doing versatile roles. A Vignesh Sivan directorial, the movie featured Vijay Sethupathi in the lead. But the story revolved around Nayanthara. She plays a deaf girl and she ruled the film like a boss.
Kashmora
She played a warrior princess Rathnadevi in this Karthi-starrer flick. A mega-budget venture and Nayanthara’s role as a princess was acclaimed. She got under the skin of her character to excel. It also won her more fans from all age-groups after the film.
Aramm
As Madhivadhini, a District Collector, Nayanthara set the screen on fire with a wonderful performance. Directed by Gopi Nainar, the movie was a big hit and won her wonderful reviews. She was the film literally and her performance was a crowd puller. With Aramm, filmmakers started coming out with stories for her.
Kolamaavu Kokila
Written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Lyca Productions, Kolamaavu Kokila was a movie to reckon with in Nayanthara’s career. Her popularity reached its peak with early morning shows arranged on its release. Nayanthara played a young woman, who takes up drug peddling to make money for the treatment of her mother’s illness. A comedy caper, it was one of the big hits in 2018.