Nayanthara Beyond the Fairy Tale review: “I want people to feel a little hope and happiness when they see other people’s happiness,” says Nayanthara why she made this documentary which introduces us to her life and her career as an actress. After a long delay, Nayanthara – Beyond The Fairytale is finally releasing today on November 18 on Netflix India. (Also read – Rakkaiye Teaser: Action Star Nayanthara Declares War on Monster, Singlehandedly Slaughters an Army of Goons, Fans Call Her ‘Thalaivi’)

Nayanthara or Nayan, as she is fondly called, has worked hard for over 18 years to earn the epithet of ‘Lady Superstar’. Actor Radhika Sarathkumar points out in the documentary: “I don’t think his journey was easy. It’s not every day that someone who has a very successful career throws it away because of emotion.”

From Thiruvalla to stardom

Her career is truly a fairy tale considering she hails from a small town called Thiruvalla in Kerala and went on to become one of the biggest stars of southern cinema in a span of a decade. But Nayanthara’s path to success was not easy. When director AR Murugadoss’s Ghajini released in 2005, there was a lot of body shaming and criticism that she had to face and didn’t know how to handle. While Nayan says she did exactly what the director wanted, producer Pushpa Kandasamy puts it succinctly when she says, “People look for opportunities to exploit you. »

However, all these incidents made her stronger. She is a fighter and was destined to become a celebrity, say the celebrities who are part of the documentary, including Nagarjuna, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, Upendra, Radhika Sarathkumar and Parvathy Thiruvothu. However, Vijay Sethupathi, who was his co-star in director Vignesh Shivan’s film Naanum Rowdy Thaannails it when he says that the actress understands how an actor’s image is created. Radhika Sarathkumar shares how Nayan diligently broke the mold that only men can be superstars.

Love and stockings

Although the Amith Krishnan-directed documentary does not delve deep into her relationships, which constantly made headlines, and what happened during the two-year hiatus (2011-13), after which she returned all guns blazing on fire, it shows how the actors are human and their personal lives are like ours.

The Billa actor doesn’t talk in detail about her past failed relationships, but she shows her vulnerability when she explains how she was questioned about those relationships and that there were so many stories about her, while the men escaped unhurt. Nayanthara reveals, “More than love, it was about trust. I’ve never talked about my past relationships and people assume certain things. The only thing that broke me was when people started telling stories about me.

We also find the answer to why she took the sudden decision to leave the film industry in 2011, when she was reportedly in a serious relationship, much to the shock of her fans. Naanum actor Rowdy Thaan said, “When a situation arose where I had to give up my profession…. It can’t go any lower than that. I left the industry because the man told me to leave the industry. It was never my choice. This was never an option. When I think about it, I also feel like I wasn’t mature enough to understand what life is.

Halfway through the documentary, we then move on to his relationship with director Vignesh Shivan and how this part of his life began in 2015. Vignesh Shivan talks about his journey and Vijay Sethupathi, director Atlee and director Nelson Dilipkumar tells us about Vignesh. as a person and his positive points. “It was Dhanush who called me and asked me if I wasn’t ashamed. I was like, “What are you saying? » smiles Radhika Sarathkumar, who was part of Naanum Rowdy Thaan. She reveals that it was Dhanush who told her about the Nayanthara-Vignesh Shivan romance that blossomed on that film set.

The rest of the documentary is about what follows, culminating with their marriage and their babies, Uyir and Ulag. Nayanthara – Beyond The Fairytale, for the most part, feels like a “they live happily ever after” story, and is shot like a film rather than delving into the complexities of Nayanthara’s journey, the controversies and her relationship with a relatively unknown in Tamil cinema. As Vignesh Shivan tells Nayanthara in the documentary: “There is always a challenge that tests us. » Nayanthara seems ready to take on new challenges, but this time, with her husband Vignesh Shivan, who has supported her like a rock.

The documentary – like Nayanthara’s picture – was carefully crafted to tell us only what the couple wants us to know, and it’s a disappointment. It barely scratches the surface and there is an incomplete feeling. Yes, it’s a fairy tale in that an actress, who was trolled and written off, became a superstar, an actor who finally found love after many failed relationships, and an actor who showed many more how you can forge your own path if you are. strong and believe in yourself.

Nayanthara – Beyond the Fairytale is now streaming on Netflix India.