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 ...