In a surprising revelation, Nayanthara, who starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the blockbuster Jawan (2023), has confirmed that she changed her religion from Christianity to Hinduism.
This shift was part of her journey to embrace her new life with filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, whom she married in a lavish and dreamlike ceremony in 2022. The actress, born Diana Kurien, has opened up about her spiritual transformation in her Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, shedding light on a personal chapter that has piqued the interest of many fans and media outlets alike.
Nayanthara’s change of religion comes as a significant personal choice that aligns with her life’s new chapter. While she was born a Christian, the actress expressed her desire for a traditional Hindu wedding. She had long planned to marry Vignesh at the famous Tirupati Tirumala temple but had to change her venue due to logistical issues. Despite the abrupt change, the couple managed to tie the knot at the Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort and Spa in Mahabalipuram, with just 10 days of preparation—a feat that was made possible by the renowned wedding planners, Shaadi Squad.
The wedding, a grand affair that was attended by several prominent figures from the Indian film industry, including Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mani Ratnam, was an emotional event for Nayanthara. She shared her thoughts on her mixed cultural wedding, saying that she wanted it to reflect both her Christian upbringing and her new Hindu faith. Her wedding attire—a red saree featuring her and Vignesh’s names—was chosen to make the ceremony uniquely hers, breaking away from the traditional Kanjeevaram saree she often wore for film roles.
While the couple’s wedding was one of the most talked-about events of the year, Nayanthara also took a moment to reflect on the challenges of organizing the wedding in such a short span of time. Despite not initially planning for a pre-wedding ceremony, the actress relented to the wishes of her family and friends and participated in a spontaneous mehendi ceremony the night before the wedding. She admitted that the overwhelming emotions of the day hit her the moment her wedding veil was placed, making it a deeply personal and transformative experience.
In the years following their marriage, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan have grown into a family, becoming parents to two sons, Uyir and Ulag, whom they welcomed through surrogacy. Their journey together has been one of love, faith, and mutual respect, and Nayanthara’s decision to convert to Hinduism reflects her personal commitment to her relationship and spiritual beliefs. As the couple continues to build their family and careers, fans and media alike are eager to see what’s next for the actress, whose career continues to thrive with projects like Jawan and beyond.
