Debut in Malayalam cinema (2003–2004)

 While studying at college, Nayanthara worked part-time as a model.^[23][24] She was spotted by director Sathyan Anthikkad, who had seen some of her modelling assignments and approached her to play a pivotal role in his film Manassinakkare (2003).^[23] Although she turned down the offer initially, as she was not interested in films, she gave in eventually and agreed to do "just that one film".^[23] Manassinakkare went on to become a big financial success and she continued to receive acting offers. Both her releases in 2004, Natturajavu by Shaji Kailas, and Fazil's psychological thriller Vismayathumbathu, saw her co-starring alongside Mohanlal; while she played the protagonist's adopted sister in the former, she portrayed a ghost in the latter.^[25] Her performance in Vismayathumbathu, in particular, was lauded, with critics claiming that she had "stolen the thunder with her author-backed role",^[26] and was "the revelation of the film".^[27]