Happy Birthday Nayanthara: Best movies of the 'Lady Superstar'

Nayanthara is inarguably one of the most sought-after stars in the South Indian film industry. The acting powerhouse created her own path and has emerged as the 'Lady Superstar' of South Indian cinema. She achieved this with her effective screen presence and wise selection of roles. Today, as she turns 38, here is a look at Nayanthara's movies that helped her emerge as the undisputed 'Lady Superstar'.

Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015): The black comedy clicked with the audience mainly because of Nayanthara's crackling chemistry with Vijay Sethupathi. The Dhanush-backed movie emerged as a big hit, receiving rave reviews from all corners. This is a very special film for Nayan as she met Vignesh Shivan for the very first time and their love blossomed over the years. Credit: Special Arrangement

Maya (2015): Widely regarded as the film that marked the beginning of her reign at the box office, 'Maya' was a supernatural thriller that revolved around what happens when a struggling ad filmmaker has a few eerie experiences while dealing with financial hardships. It did well at the box office and helped Nayanthara bag her first International Film Academy Award. Credit: Special Arrangement

Aramm (2017): The actor played the role of a responsible IAS officer in the Gopi Nainar-helmed drama, which revolved around the system's efforts to rescue a child who falls into a pothole. Nayanthara's graceful body language added a new dimension to the hard-hitting story. Aramm, shot on a limited budget emerged as a critical and commercial success. Credit: Special Arrangement

Kolamaavu Kokila (2018): The black comedy drama featured Nayanthara in the role of a naïve young woman who is forced to enter the drug trade when her mother is diagnosed with lung cancer. It had a captivating screenplay and proved to be a showreel for the ace actor. Credit: Special Arrangement

Imaikkaa Nodigal (2018): The movie revolved around what happens when Nayanthara's character, a 'cop', locks horns with a 'serial killer'. The actor hit the right notes with her confident screen presence and did justice to a complex character. The film opened to a thunderous response in Tamil Nadu and helped her consolidate her standing in the industry. Credit: Special Arrangement