Nayanthara, now one of the leading names in South Indian cinema, has recalled earning just Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 from her first professional assignment. Speaking to Pearle Maaney, the actor looked back at her early modelling days and shared details about her first job, long before she entered the film industry and went on to build a successful career across multiple languages.

Asked about her first job and salary, Nayanthara recalled that the assignment was connected to a cover shoot for Vanitha magazine and a fashion programme. She estimated that she was paid around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 for the work. The conversation also included a light-hearted exchange in which Pearle Maaney shared an anecdote about receiving Rs 500 as a child for cutting her father's nails.

Nayanthara had not initially planned to pursue acting. She was working as a model when filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad noticed her photograph in Vanitha magazine and later approached her for Manassinakkare. The 2003 film marked her acting debut and opened the way for a career that would eventually make her one of the most prominent actors in South Indian cinema.

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She subsequently appeared in films including Vismayathumbathu and Natturajavu before making her Tamil debut with Ayya in 2005. Her career gained further momentum with Chandramukhi, in which she appeared alongside Rajinikanth. Over the years, she went on to feature in several successful films, including Billa, Maya, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan and Kolamaavu Kokila.

Nayanthara later expanded her career into Hindi cinema with her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan in 2023. The film marked another major milestone in her career, adding to her work across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian film industries.

The actor is now preparing for her upcoming Tamil romantic drama Hi, co-starring Kavin and directed by debutant Vishnu Edavan, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 28, 2026. She is also set to appear alongside Yash in Toxic, scheduled to reach cinemas on August 26, 2026, adding two major releases to her forthcoming slate.

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