We
all know that Nayantara came into
Tamil films via Malayalam. She made
her debut with a Malayalam film in
2003. She was lucky enough to be paired
subsequently with superstar Mohanlal
and then Mammooty. It was after this
that her rating in the industry increased
and she got noticed in other states.
This resulted in her being called
upon to act opposite Sarath Kumar’s
in Hari’s Aiyaa. Though the
movie was not a major success it got
her the start that was necessary to
take her places. Then came the big
break. Call it providence or plain
luck; she got the once in a lifetime
opportunity to act alongside Superstar
in Chandramukhi. Though her role was
quite a short one and easily overshadowed
by Jyothika’s role, she had
made her mark.
The
pairing with the superstar increased her
ratings no end and her subsequent film Ghajini
made her a mini star in the south. All this
resulted in her hiking her fee to a very
high figure. News is that she had started
off her career with Rs. 75000 for a movie
in Malayalam. Now her remuneration stands
at many times that figure.
It
is all fine in the Tamil industry
where that kind of money is affordable
and paid to top heroines. But Nayantara
made the mistake of asking for the
same amount in Malayalam. The Malayalam,
which is much smaller than the Tamil
one, can never afford such salaries.
The figure that she quotes is close
to what Mammootty and Mohanlal command
for a film. Her demand reportedly
sent Malayalam producers into a rage.
They have decided to enforce an unofficial
ban on the actress for her ‘out
of the world’ demands and a
similar step against all actresses
who hike their fee according to what
they are paid in Tamil. Mamtha Mohandas
and a few others are on the list.
