Nayanthara is reigning supreme as the Lady Superstar in South Indian cinema and has come a long way from the time she was introduced in Tamil as Superstar Rajinikanth's pair in 'Chandramukhi'. Even before that as a pretty young girl she had made her acting debut in Malayalam cinema.

Nayan's original name is Diana Mariam Kurian and she took on her now famous screen name while acting in her debut movie 'Manassinakarre' directed by Sathyan Anthikad. Director Ditto John has claimed in his facebook page that a photographer who worked in the movie asked him to suggest a name for the heroine and it was he who suggested Nayanthara and the director used it.

Sathyan Anthikkad has clarified that he did not even know who Ditto John is and added "I never thought that there would be need for an argument or claim over this matter. One morning, while the shoot of ‘Manassinakkare’ was going on, Ranjan Pramod and I made a list of names after a lot of thinking. We gave that list to Nayanathara; she herself picked the name that she liked most,”

Well that settles it as the Lady Superstar herself chose the name that would spell magic at the South Indian box office. Nayanthara is currently shooting for 'Mookuthi Amman' co-starring and directed by R.J.Balaji.