Nakul is a contemporary Indian actor and playback singer who has acted and recorded songs for the soundtracks of Tamil films. Brother of the former film actress Devayani, Nakul debuted as a lead actor in the year 2003 with S. Shankar"s Tamil coming-of-age film "Boys", in which he also sang his first song in the film`s soundtrack album. He later made a breakthrough portraying a psychotic lover in P. V. Prasad"s 2008 romantic thriller "Kadhalil Vizhunthen", before garnering acclaim for his performances in films "Maasilamani" (2009), "Naan Rajavaga Pogiren" (2013) and "Vallinam" (2014).

Film Career of Nakul
Nakul, born Nakul Jaidev on June 15, 1984 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, made his first on-screen appearance at the age of 18, when he was chosen for the part of Juju in Shankar`s coming-of-age film "Boys". Nakul"s family had initially sent some pictures of his elder brother Mayur to Shankar`s office, but after seeing Nakul in one of the pictures, the director approached him to portray a leading role alongside an ensemble cast of newcomers. The film, featuring Nakul alongside Siddarth, Genelia D"Souza, Bharath, Manikandan and Sai Srinivas Thaman, opened in August 2003 to mixed reviews but the high profile nature of the technical team ensured that the film was publicised and took a good opening at the box office. Unlike some of the other newcomers in the cast, Nakul`s acting career failed to take off. His subsequent Telugu film titled "Keelu Gurram", in which he played a supporting role, bombed at the box office. Struggling to get a breakthrough as an actor during the period, Nakul worked as a playback singer in films, notably recording for composer Harris Jayaraj in his albums for the films "Anniyan" (2005), "Ghajini" (2005) and "Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu" (2006).

In 2006, Nakul signed up to feature in P. V. Prasad`s Tamil romantic thriller "Kadhalil Vizhunthen", in his first role of the solo lead character. He lost close to 20 kilograms in order to fit into the role, also revealing that the director and he were wary of the fact that the film would define both their careers in the industry. They shot on a trial-and-error basis without being in a hurry to complete the film. The production took almost two years to be completed, with the film gaining unexpected publicity after the release of a song from its soundtrack "Nakka Mukka". The song composed and sung by Vijay Antony, with the female version also having Nakul"s voice, became a big success and the venture was consequently selected by media giants Sun Pictures to become their first project in film distribution. Nakul, portraying a semi-psychotic character who refuses to accept the death of his lover, was seen alongside Sunaina. The film released in 2008 and became a commercial hit, with critics noting Nakul"s performance as "riveting". Sun Pictures also chose to distribute Nakul"s next film, the romantic comedy "Maasilamani" released in 2009, opposite Sunaina again, with the film eventually becoming a surprise box office success. In the same year, he was featured in AGS Entertainment`s "Kandhakottai" with Poorna, which opened to an average response critically and commercially.

Nakul"s subsequent film released after four years, though the actor continued to work on several ventures simultaneously. Prithvi Rajkumar`s thriller drama "Naan Rajavaga Pogiren" released in 2013 to mixed reviews, with Nakul"s performance not fully convincing the critics. His next release "Vallinam" in 2014 had been in production since mid 2011. The film featured Nakul as a basketball player, to prepare for which he underwent special training to "ensure that he lived the role rather than act". The film opened to a positive response, with critics citing Nakul"s performance as his career`s best. Nakul was next seen in Ramprakash Rayappa"s thriller "Tamizhuku En Ondrai Azhuthavum" that received positive reviews. His last project was Naga Venkatesh`s "Narathan", released in April 2016. K. S. Adhiyaman`s long-delayed comedy venture "Amali Thumali" is Nakul"s ensuing project where he shall be seen alongside Shanthnu Bhagyaraj and Swathi Reddy.

Family and Personal Life of Nakul
Nakul was born into a Konkani family, to parents Jayadev and Lakshmi. He is the younger brother of former actress Devayani, who is eleven years elder to him. His elder brother, Mayur, has also attempted to make a career as an actor, though several of his films have been shelved prior to completion. Nakul married Sruti Bhaskar, who works in the marketing division of Chennai"s leading multiplex SPI Cinemas, on February 28, 2016, in a private ceremony with the presence of the two families and close-knit friends.

Filmography of Nakul
Nakul has acted in the following films highlighted along with their years of release.

Year	Film
2003	Boys
2004	Keelu Gurram (Telugu)
2008	Kadhalil Vizhunthen
2009	Maasilamani
	Kandhakottai
2013	Naan Rajavaga Pogiren
2014	Vallinam
2015	Tamiluku En Ondrai Aluthavum
2016	Narathan

The actor has also lent his playback in the following songs of the under mentioned Tamil movies.

Year	Song	Film	Composer
2005	"Kaadhal Yanai"	Anniyan	Harris Jayaraj
2005	"X-Machi"	Ghajini
2006	"Manjal Veyil"	Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu
	"Karka Karka"
2006	"Hooray Hooray Hip"	Vallavan	Yuvan Shankar Raja
2008	"Naakka Mukka"	Kadhalil Vizhunthen	Vijay Antony
2009	"Eppadi Ennul Kadhal"	Kandhakottai	Dhina
2014	"Nakula"	Vallinam	Thaman
2014	"Live The Moment"	Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam

Related Articles:
Tamil Actors, Indian Cinema
Indian Movie Actors
Tamil Cinema
Tamil Movie Directors
Tamil Actresses, Indian Cinema
Indian Movie Directors
Indian Movie Producers
Indian Playback Singers
Telugu Films
Indian Movie Music Directors