Birthday Special: Nayantara turns 28

South actress Nayantara celebrated her 28th birthday on November 18.

We take a closer look at the gorgeous lady, and her movie career so far.

Nayantara's real name is Diana Mariam Kurian. She changed her name to Nayantara when she started her film career.

A Syrian Christain, the actress reportedly converted to Hinduism on August 7, 2011.

Nayantara's father Kurian Kodiyattu was in the Indian Air Force, and that's why she has lived in several parts of the country.

There are several actresses in the Hindi film industry, who have an army connection.

Even though she is a Malayalee, she has done more Tamil and Telugu movies.

If she hadn't become an actress, Nayantara had once said she'd become a Chattered Accontant.

A gorgeous woman, Nayantara has worked with the biggest South stars like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, Vijay, Venkatesh and Ajith.

She fell in love with choreographer-turned-director Prabhu Deva on the sets of Villu (2009), who was married then. Later, he filed for divorce, as he wanted to marry his new love. Sadly, they broke up later.

Nayantara, who had taken a break from acting, to marry Prabhu Deva, signed five films after they broke up -- Telugu films Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum and Love Story and Tamil films Ongaram, Raja Rani and a yet-untitled film with Vishnuvardhan.

Here's wishing Nayantara more success on her birthday.