Nayanthara doesn’t have a minute to spare. At any point, her shoot schedule includes four to five movies. Most of her day is spent on set, and all days look almost the same. “It’s just different sets and different people,” says the actor known for her roles in Dora and Jawan, and a host of other films across Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Naturally, in such a tightly regimented schedule, quality time with her family is non-negotiable. Any time off set is reserved for her babies [two-year-old twins, Uyir and Ulag], or spent with her filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan, who has also been her collaborator in and outside the film world, discussing future businesses. The couple have dipped their entrepreneurial feet into the worlds of food, beauty, and films with ventures such as Chai Waale, Rowdy Pictures, The Lip Balm Company, and The Divine Foods, besides eco-friendly menstrual hygiene brand Femi9, ticketing platform Ticket9, and a skincare line, 9Skin, a nod to the the actor’s nickname, Nayan. “It is often said that you should not work with your friends or spouse. On the contrary, I’d say if you have the right partner, then that’s the best thing because when you think alike, you can create something amazing.”
A stray conversation with Shivan led the actor to create 9Skin, a brand that integrates Ayurveda with modern skincare, in 2023. Available in pop-coloured bottles, her limited line of products includes anti-ageing serums, moisturiser, oils, and day and night creams, will now be available across India via retail outlets of Tira. “I’ve been a consumer all my life. And I’ve always been in search of the right product,” says the star, for whom a skincare routine is essential self-care.
Like all good ideas, her impetus to start this affordable line came from a personal need. “I’ve always felt like it would have been better if there was that one product that has the best of it all: something that can moisturise, heal, brighten, and nourish at the same time. These days, everyone’s confused about how much retinol to use or when to put vitamin C. That’s why we wanted to start something that's easy to use for everyone. 9Skin is a range of paraben- and sulphate-free products that have multiple benefits."
Over the phone, in the middle of a shoot schedule in Bengaluru, she shared a typical day in her life, her definition of self-love, and more.
What does a day in your life look like?
It really depends. It’s usually a lot of work, [namely] shooting. Typically, I wake up depending on the call time. I pray. I make sure that I spend at least 30 solid minutes with my babies, so that they don’t miss me. Some days get really long, especially with travel, and by the time I get home, they're already asleep. Most of my time is spent on set, and while the locations and people change, the rhythm of the day is pretty much the same. On my days off, my husband and I might have work meetings, or we just focus on spending time with the kids. If we get a chance, we try and step out after the babies are asleep and all our responsibilities are sorted.
With such a busy and successful career in films, what made you start a beauty business?
To be honest, it was him [Vignesh]. When we began discussing the idea of launching something of our own, he said, “You’re so passionate and consistent with your skincare routine—why not turn that into something more?” That’s how the journey began. In my 20-plus years as an actor and as a lifelong skincare enthusiast, I was always on the lookout for the perfect product. I’m grateful that I’m successful and able to venture into business, thanks to the love and the position that my audience has given me. With that comes a sense of responsibility—to create products that are authentic and truly effective. That’s why I really vouch for 9Skin, which I have made with so much care. The next big step is the 9Skin partnership with Reliance Retail’s Tira. I’m especially excited to see our products not just online anymore, but also in Tira stores, which will give consumers the opportunity to feel, smell, and experience the products.
How has the experience of collaborating with your partner influenced your creative process and approach to work?
My husband and I run multiple businesses together, with ventures spanning nutrition and feminine hygiene, and more exciting projects in the pipeline. We love creating things as a team, including producing films, and he has a remarkable talent for identifying great collaborators. I would say he is more ambitious as an entrepreneur than I am, but I love that we take this journey very seriously and we continue to grow together. The way we grow as actors, by choosing to be a part of exciting film projects, similarly we keep adding milestones to our entrepreneurial journey.
What does me time mean to you?
My me time usually begins after a busy day at work and quality time with my little ones, once they’re tucked in. I start with a hot shower, which puts me in a good mood, followed by my skincare, eating a yummy, comforting, home-cooked meal, and enjoying some alone time. Sometimes I like to read or watch something. Some nights, my husband and I watch a feel-good movie together or do a spontaneous outing. Lately, I've added the 9Skin Skindrella mask to my routine—I put it on before a movie and take it off as the credits roll.
How would you describe your relationship with social media?
I like to keep things simple when it comes to social media. I don’t let it consume too much of my time or overthink it. For me, it’s just a tool for communication, and that’s the amount of attention I give it. If you look at my Instagram, you’ll notice I am not that active. I feel there’s just the right balance of information that comes on my page about the things I want to talk about. Even though I’m on set every day, you won’t see me post constant shooting updates. I think Instagram is a happy place, but it’s all about how you choose to use it. If you’re glued to it 24/7, that's a different story. But if you strike the right balance, it can be just as functional as your phone—whether you’re gathering information, staying updated on current affairs, connecting with fans, or sharing snippets of your life. It’s a tool, and how you use it is completely up to you.
