What ‘Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale’ Didn’t Explore

A voice from behind the camera asks why Nayanthara, known for giving few interviews and rarely discussing her life, agreed to a Netflix documentary. She responds, "I want people to feel a bit of hope and happiness when they see other people's happiness." Was this a good hook for the documentary? Absolutely. It promised an inspiring vision, hinting that viewers would see beyond her 'Lady Superstar' status to the story of how she overcame the odds to become who she is today.

The documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale, however, leaned heavily into her love story with director Vignesh Shivan, showcasing their wedding preparations and heartfelt moments. It was truly heartwarming to see Nayanthara find genuine love after enduring painful past relationships, where she once gave up a flourishing career for the sake of love. Watching her now with a partner who is a secure person, truly supports her, offering her the freedom to be herself, felt like a beautiful redemption. 

Nayanthara’s triumph in love indeed gives hope, reminding women that the right partner is out there and that leaving a toxic relationship is often the first step toward true happiness. Yet, the documentary’s promise of going “beyond the fairytale” fell short when it came to exploring her professional journey.

What ‘Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale’ Didn’t Explore

While the documentary did offer glimpses into her early modelling days and swift rise in cinema, the deeper, more complex layers were left unexplored. Here’s what could have added depth.

Trolls and Trollings

While many are aware of an actor’s struggles with public scrutiny, we only glimpse at their coping mechanisms when they choose to share them. Nayanthara’s journey as a young actor experimenting with non-traditional roles was not without trolling, be it for her body or her character choices, while her counterparts remained unaffected. However, it barely delves into what went beyond the trolling. She shared how she used to cry, but when did she begin to cope? What were her coping mechanisms? How did she find the strength to rise above it all? These are the questions young actors and anyone facing similar struggles truly want to understand.

Failures Not Worth Mentioning?

Audiences today are drawn to genuine, behind-the-scenes narratives that go beyond the glittering exterior. Documentaries like Miss Americana and Martha Stewart have excelled because they showcase raw, unfiltered stories, the failures that made way for success, allowing viewers to witness the hard work, setbacks, and perseverance behind the fame.

Nayanthara’s story is just as compelling. A young girl from a small town who grew into a self-made icon, yet, only two (Billa and Sri Rama Rajyam) of her groundbreaking performances were highlighted. Moreover, the documentary bypassed any mention of failures or moments of broken expectations for an actor known for her relentless chase of perfection.

The Set Pattern In the Industry

In the documentary, Tamannaah Bhatia shares that, "In the past, a female actor’s success in the industry was often measured by how well she complemented her male counterparts. But Nayanthara was different; she wanted success on her own ground." Nayanthara herself realised that to break the existing patterns in the industry, one must first be part of them. 

The documentary highlights how Nayanthara’s strength stemmed from her ability to make independent decisions, underscoring the importance of autonomy in reshaping a woman's position in the industry. But what moments or experiences led Nayanthara to this realisation? 

What battles did she fight in an industry that thrives on power dynamics and politics? How did she navigate these challenges and assert herself as a force to be reckoned with? Exploring these questions would have given a deeper, more insight into her journey, one that truly highlights how she carved her own path to becoming a true power player in the South Indian film industry.

The Selective Silence

The documentary notably sidestepped deeper industry issues, such as those highlighted by the Hema Committee's report on exploitation and power struggles in the Malyalam film industry. While peers like Samantha Ruth Prabhu spoke out, Nayanthara often chose silence. However, she recently wrote an open letter addressing alleged power exploitation by a “vile person.”

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This deliberate choice speaks volumes about her approach, though, it’s her choice, even a brief acknowledgment of her own encounters with power dynamics or on-set struggles would have provided meaningful insight.

And A Balanced Take

Nayanthara’s hope to spread joy through her happiness was a good hook, and her personal story of finding love after hardships was uplifting. But to truly empower viewers, she could have shared more about her professional battles and strategies, the real essence of what makes her the "Lady Superstar." And that story is what the world deserves to see.

Views expressed are the author's own.