Nandhini (TV series)

Nandhini
Nandhini poster
Genre	Supernatural Fantasy Horror
Story by	Sundar C
Directed by	Raj Kapoor
Starring	Nithya Ram Khushbu Rahul Ravi Malavika Wales Gayatri Jayaraman Adhitri Guruvayurappan Vijayakumar Riyaz Khan Rekha Krishnappa
Theme music composer	Hiphop Tamizha
Opening theme	"Yaaradhu Yaaradhu" Karishma Ravichandran(Vocals)
Composer	Dhina
Country of origin	India
Original languages	Season:1 Tamil Kannada Season: 2 Kannada
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	977
Production
Producers	Season:1 Sundar C Kushboo Sundar Season: 2 Ramesh Aravind
Cinematography	Season: 1 U. K. Senthil Kumar
Production companies	Season: 1 Avni Telemedia Sun Pictures Season: 2 Ramesh Aravind Productions
Original release
Network	Sun TV Udaya TV
Release	23 January 2017 (2017-01-23) – 31 July 2020 (2020-07-31)
Related
Jothi

Nandhini is an Indian Tamil-Kannada bilingual supernatural fantasy thriller drama series that aired on Sun TV and Udaya TV. This series is considered the most expensive TV Serial of all time in South India.

The first season of Nandini started in Tamil and Kannada languages. It aired from 23 January 2017 to 22 December 2018 on Sun TV and from 23 January 2017 to 22 February 2019 on Udaya TV both for 589 episodes. It was produced by Sundar C under Avni Telemedia. The season starred Nithya Ram in a dual role as Ganga and the titular character Nandini, along with an ensemble supporting cast which includes Khushbu, Rahul Ravi, Malavika Wales, Gayatri Jayaraman, Adhitri Guruvayurappan, Vijayakumar, Riyaz Khan, Rekha Krishnappa and others.

The second season of Nandini started only in Kannada language on Udaya TV from 25 February 2019 to 31 July 2020 for 381 episodes. It was produced by Ramesh Aravind Productions and a sequel to its previous phase. This season starred Nithya Ram, Chaya Singh, Vinay Gowda, Kavya Shastry, Rashmi, Bharath, Jayashree, Rekha Krishnappa and others.

A spin-off of Nandini titled as Jothi aired from 29 May to 1 August 2021 in Tamil language on Sun TV for 13 episodes. It starred Meghashree, Chandana Shetty and Vishnu Unnikrishnan in the lead roles.

Series overview

Series	Languages	Episodes		Originally released
				First released	Last released
1	Tamil Kannada	589		23 January 2017 (2017-01-23)	22 December 2018 (2018-12-22) 22 February 2019 (2019-02-22)
2	Kannada	381		25 February 2019 (2019-02-25)	31 July 2020 (2020-07-31)
Spin-off as Jothi	Tamil	13		29 May 2021 (2021-05-29)	1 August 2021 (2021-08-01)

Plot

Season 1 (In chronological order)

In the early 90s, a man named Rathnavel (Riyaz Khan) falls in love with Parvathy (Khushbu), an enigmatic shape-shifting serpent, and the two of them get married. Nandini and Ganga, two twin daughters, were born to her. Ganga acquired human qualities, whereas Nandini inherited snake qualities. In order to spare her husband from her clan's murderous intentions, Parvathy transforms him into a transgender person and offers him one of the daughters, Ganga. Parvathy escapes with the other daughter, Nandini. Subsequently, Rathnavel loses all memory and hands Ganga over to Manickam, a royal housemaid. Manickam is childless and believes Ganga is his daughter, raising Ganga in the palace. Then, Rathnavel adopts the name "Seiyanayagi" and keeps up his devotion to the deity Karuppar.

6 years later

Parvathy and Nandhini were leading a tranquil life as followers of Kaatu Amman, a deity with Muniappa and his family. Rajashekar (Vijayakumar) and his party arrived there to capture the three "Kala Chakras"- a special spiritual object protected by Parvathy, for financial gain. One day, after tricking Parvathy and Muniappa's family, Rajashekar and his 4 pals- Namboothiri, Vichu, Kumar, and Madhavi killed Parvathy and stole the three kaal chakras. Parvathy requests Nandhini that she should kill every murderer along with their whole family and return the lost Kaal Chakras. In the Rajashekar's palace, where Ganga lives, Namboodhiri locks Nandhini inside a snake pit with special protection, leading to Nandini trapped inside.

14 years later

Arun Rajashekar (Rahul Ravi), son of Rajashekar, falls in love with a country girl named Janaki (Malavika Wales) and marries her. Kavitha, Janaki's friend, who also loved Arun commits suicide as a result of Janaki and Arun's marriage. Kavitha's sister Bhairavi (Gayatri Jayaram), a powerful magician, kills Janaki's father and swears to get revenge for her sister's demise. Soon after, Arun moved to Malaysia, leaving his pregnant wife, Janaki, in his palace. Months later, she gives birth to a child. However the child gets swapped with another dead child. Dharmaraj, one of the uncles of Arun, murders Janaki because he wanted his daughter Maya to marry Arun. Turning into a ghost, Janaki defends her family.

6 years later

Ganga (Nithya Ram), who has grown into a beautiful young woman, has been doing pujas for the snake pit for the last 14 years without realising that her own sister is locked inside. The spirit of Janaki successfully brings her real daughter Devasena back home, who was swapped with a dead child during her birth. Meanwhile, Rajashekar's evil sisters Devi and Manju, as well as Janaki's murderer Dharmaraj fight amongst each other to get their daughters married to Arun. But their efforts fail due to the intervention of Janaki's spirit. Finally, the maid Ganga consents to marry Arun because Rajashekar wants her to, and she promises to raise Arun and Janaki's daughter Devasena well.

When she performs pooja to the snake pit the night before her marriage, her blood fell accidentally on Nandhini, releasing the 20 year old protection of Nandini. Nandini entered the Ganga's body to exact revenge for the murder of her mother. After Ganga marries Arun, she begins her revenge. She intended to murder Arun and Devasena in order to demonstrate to Rajashekar what it feels like to die, but the Janaki spirit intervenes to rescue them. She thus brilliantly kills Kumar, one of the murderers, when he arrives at the palace and attempts to grab the kala chakra, but ends in vain. Meanwhile Janaki, the spirit and Nandini, the snake continue to fight, where the former tries to protect her family and the latter tries to destroy the family. Nandhini departs Ganga's body to avoid being seen, and Ganga tells the authorities that she murdered Kumar and went to prison to prevent Nandhini from entering her body. However, Namboodhiri saw through it and Ganga was freed from custody. After learning of Nandhini's fate, Ganga confronts Rajashekar and begs him to provide the Kaal Chakras, but he refuses and tries to murder Ganga. Seyanayagi, however, goes to rescue Ganga, and gives treatment to her in secret.

One Week Later

Nandhini (Nithya Ram) assumes a female form on one Full Moon Day, and she resembles Ganga. Rajashekar, in the meanwhile, commands Bhairavi, in need of Kaal chakras, to change into Ganga and come to the palace.

Then, Nandhini captures Bhairavi, murders Namboodhiri and Vichu, and enters the palace dressed as Ganga in order to look for kaal chakras. After disturbed from her tapasya, Madhavi (Rekha Krishnappa), the final murderer of Parvathy, makes preparations to murder Nandhini. However, Rajashekar begs for forgiveness as Ganga comes back. They quickly discover that Nandhini resembles Ganga.

A few days later, Nandhini murders Rajashekar, which led Ganga to believe wrong things about Nandhini. Meanwhile, Bhairavi transforms into a good person, forgives Arun and helps Nandini find the kalachakras. After attempting to kill Nandini, Ganga realises they both are sisters and therefore clasp hands with Nandini. However, destiny intervenes, causing them to battle again until Madhavi seizes all three kaal chakras and gives rebirth to Namboodhiri. They both go to the Kaatamman temple and trap Nandhini. However, their scheme is foiled when Ganga bestows Nandhini with the three kaal chakras.

With the help of Janaki's spirit, Nandini kills Namboothiri and Madhavi. Then, contrary to Parvathy's assertion that she should kill the Rajashekar's family, Nandhini decides to spare the rest of the family and transforms herself as stone serpent to punish herself. Ganga is left in tears when Nandhini and her are split apart once again, but Nandini promises to visit Ganga once every year. Ganga becomes pregnant after that, and the family has a happy life. However, when they are split up and the Nandhini-Ganga link is unbreakable, the last episode focuses on their sisterhood.

Season 2

25 Years later

Season 2 focuses on the story of Ganga and Arun's daughters Janani (Nithya Ram) and Devasena (Kavya Shastri), and the defeat of the evil by good.

Cast and characters

Season 1

Main

• Nithya Ram in a dual role as:
  • Nandini: a Shakti Naagam, a shape-shifting serpent who exacts vengeance on the assassins who murdered her mother Parvathy; Rathnavel and Parvathy's elder daughter, Muniappan's adopted daughter, Ganga's twin sister;
  • Ganga Arun: the human component, Rathnavel and Parvathy's younger daughter, Maanikam's adopted daughter, Nandhini's twin sister; Arun's second wife, Rajasekhar's daughter-in-law, Devasena's stepmother, Janani's mother.
    • Baby Ahana as Young Ganga
• Khushbu as Parvathy Rathnavel: a Shiva Naagam, the shape-shifting serpent, Rathnavel's wife, Nandini and Ganga's mother, was slain by assassins for the "Kaal Chakra". (Extended Cameo)
• Rahul Ravi as Arun Rajasekhar: Rajasekhar's son, Devasena and Janani's father, Ganga's spouse and Janaki's widower.
• Malavika Wales in a dual role as:
  • Janaki Arun: A Spirit; Arun's first wife, Devasena's mother.
  • Seetha: the human element, Janaki's medium look alike, Ganga and Arun's well-wisher. (Extended Cameo)
• Gayatri Jayaraman as Bhairavi: A Yogini; She was a magician who seeked revenge against Arun, and helped Nandhini in finding the Kaal Chakras.
• Adhithri Guruvayurappan as Devasena: Janaki and Arun's daughter, Rajasekhar's granddaughter, Ganga's step-daughter.
• Vijayakumar as Rajashekar: Father of Arun and Malathy. He was one of the murderers who seeks "Kaal Chakra", and killed Parvathy and then killed by Nandhini.
• Riyaz Khan as Rathnavel Bhoopathi alias Seiya Nayagi: a transgender who worships the deity Karuppan; Ganga and Nandini's father and Paravathy's husband.
• Rekha Krishnappa as Madhavi: A Shiva Thapasvini; She was one of the murderers who seeks "Kaal Chakra", and killed Parvathy and then killed by Nandhini.
  • Vanishree as young Madhavi

Recurring

• Sachu as Annapoorani: Rajasekhar's elder sister, Arun's aunt
• Narasimha Raju as Muniappan: Parvathy's henchman, Nandini's guardian and Gayatri's father, killed by Madhavi.
• Vinod as Krishna Tamburan alias Namboothiri: A priest, He was one of the murderers who seeks "Kaal Chakra", and killed Parvathy and then killed by Nandhini; Madhavi's brother
• Shreya Anchan as Gayatri alias Sandhya Manimegalai: Muniappan and Lakshmi's daughter, Nandhini and Ganga's cousin sister who attempts a revenge against the murderers who killed Parvathy, then killed by Naagananthian
  • Yuvina Parthavi as Young Gayatri
• Vijayalakshmi / Kanya Bharathi as Devi: Annapoorani and Rajasekhar's first younger sister, Arun's aunt; Eshwaran's wife and Shanthi's mother
• Meena Vemuri as Leela: Annapoorani and Rajasekhar's second younger sister, Arun's aunt; Dharmaraj's wife, Moorthy and Maya's mother
• Keerthi Jai Dhanush as Maya: Leela and Dharmaraj's daughter, Moorthy's Sister and Arun's cousin
• Padmini Jagadeesh as Manju, Annapoorani and Rajasekhar's third younger sister, Arun's aunt and Kumar's wife
• Kavitha as Selva Rani: Rajasekhar's second wife, Arun's step mother
• Swetha as Malathi: Rajasekhar and Selva Rani's daughter, Arun's younger sister and Moorthy's wife
• K. S. G. Venkatesh as Maanikam: Rajasekhar's henchman, Ganga's adoptive father
• Ramesh Pandit as Dharmaraj: Leela's husband, Moorthy and Maya's father
• Kiran as Moorthy: Leela and Dharmaraj's son, Maya's brother, Arun's cousin, Gayatri's ex-fiancé and Malathi's husband
• Sri Ganesh as Eshwaran: Devi's husband and Shanthi's father
• Bhanuprakash as Kumar: Manju's husband
• Manjula Paritala as Shanthi: Devi and Eshwaran's daughter
• Shabnam as Ramya: Manju and Kumar's daughter, Arun's ex-fiancé
• Shanmugarajan / Mahanadi Shankar as Sathyanarayanan: Selva Rani's younger brother
• Rani as Mallika: Sathyanarayanan's wife
• Vijaya Durga as Chamundi: Witch who seeks "Kaal Chakra", killed by Janaki
• Vichu Vishwanath as Vichu: He was one of the murderers who seeks "Kaal Chakra", and killed Parvathy and then killed by Nandhini; Rajasekhar's business partner
• Girish as Kumar: He was one of the murderers who seeks "Kaal Chakra", killed Parvathy and then killed by Nandhini
• Gracey as Lakshmi: Muniappa's wife and Gayatri's mother
• Deepa Nethran as Raadha: Gayatri's adoptive mother
• Mohammed Mastan Naga as Naganandiyan: Parvathy's elder brother, shape shifting serpent
• Ramesh Kannan as Nagavanchiyan
• Rudrachand as Shenbagachezhiyan
• V.S.Jayanthi as Chellamma
• Nanditha Ghosh as Kavitha: Bhairavi's younger sister
• Kousalya Senthamarai as Ranganayaki
• Kalairani as Naachiyaaramma: magician
• Niranjan BS as Suresh: Ramya's lover
• Anu Mohan as Neelakanthan
• Thameem Ansari as Balaji: Arun's friend
• Sivakumar as Dr. Siva
• Swarna Ramakrishnan as Meenakshi
• Ram Rajesh as an Icchadhari Snake
• Baba Lakshman as Janaki's father, killed by Bhairavi

Special appearances

• Manjula Vijayakumar as Manjula: Rajasekhar's first wife and Arun's mother (posthumous photographic appearance only)
• Singampuli as himself
• Vaiyapuri as himself
• Sudha Raghunathan as herself

Season 2

• Nithya Ram in a triple role as:
  • Janani Viraat: A human element but has a snake powers; Arun and Ganga's daughter; Devasena's half sister; Viraat's wife (Dead)
    • Baby Lisha as Young Janani
  • Nandini: Shakti Naagam, Rathnavel and Parvathy's oldest daughter, Muniappan's adopted daughter, Ganga's twin sister, Janani's aunt and a shape-shifting serpent (Cameo)
  • Ganga Arun: the human component, Rathnavel and Parvathy's younger daughter, Nandhini's twin sister; Arun's second wife, Rajasekhar's daughter-in-law, Devasena's stepmother, Janani's mother (Extended Cameo)
• Chaya Singh as Nandini - Nandini's reincarnation; a human element but has a snake powers; Viraat's second wife
• Vinay Gowda as Viraat
• Kavya Shastry as Devasena - Arun and Janaki's daughter; Ganga's stepdaughter and Janani's half sister
  • Adhithri Guruvayurappan as Young Devasena (Extended Cameo)
• Rashmi as Neeli - An over attitude girl who one-sidedly loved Viraat
• Bharath as Ashtavakra
• Jayashree as Sharabha
• Anu Poovamma
• Rekha Krishnappa as Madhavi
• Riyaz Khan as Rathnavel Bhoopathi alias Seiya Nayagi (Cameo)
• Rahul Ravi as Arun Rajasekhar (Cameo)
• Ramesh Aravind as a Narrator

Production

Development

The "Nandini" 2017 series, a captivating Indian supernatural fantasy thriller, was conceived and developed with the intention of bringing a cinematic experience to the small screen. The initial concept for the series was envisioned by Sundar C, who also took on the role of producer for the first season alongside Khushbu Sundar under their banner, Avni Telemedia. Raj Kapoor helmed the directorial duties, ensuring a consistent vision across the ambitious bilingual production. The series was unique in its simultaneous filming in Tamil and Kannada, with scenes often re-shot for both languages to cater to their respective audiences on Sun TV and Udaya TV. Its success led to dubbing in Telugu for Gemini TV and Malayalam for Surya TV, further expanding its reach across South India. The show's commitment to high production values and elaborate visual effects was a cornerstone of its development, setting it apart from typical television dramas.

Casting

The casting for "Nandini" was crucial to its narrative, with actress Nithya Ram taking on the demanding lead roles. In the first season, she impressively portrayed a dual role as Ganga and the enigmatic Nandini, the titular character. Her versatility was further showcased in the second season, where she tackled a triple role as Ganga, Nandini, and Janani. The first season of the series also featured a strong ensemble cast, with Khushbu Sundar and Riyaz Khan playing pivotal roles. Malayalam actor Rahul Ravi was cast as Arun, another central character, while other significant actors included Malayalam actress Malavika Wales as Janaki, Baby Adhitri Guruvayurappan as Devasena, Vijayakumar as Rajashekar, Gayatri Jayaraman as Bhairavi, and Narasimha Raju. The second season saw the addition of new talent like Vinay Gowda, Kavya Shastry, and Rashmi, among others, ensuring a fresh dynamic for the continuing storyline. Chaya Singh later stepped into the reincarnated role of Nandini, adding another layer to the character's journey.

Filming

Filming for "Nandini" extensively utilized grand and atmospheric settings to enhance its supernatural and fantasy themes. A significant portion of the series was shot in a prominent palace house, which became an iconic backdrop for many of the show's dramatic sequences. This particular location was frequently highlighted by the cast and crew for its grandeur and the memorable experiences shared during filming. While the specific geographical details of this palace are not widely disclosed, the extensive production across Tamil and Kannada languages suggests that filming likely took place in and around major production hubs such as Chennai for the Tamil version and Bengaluru for the Kannada version. The commitment to such elaborate sets and on-location shoots was instrumental in achieving the desired cinematic quality and visual splendor that became a hallmark of the "Nandini" series.

Broadcast

Nandini is the first ever South-Indian Television Series to be broadcast in nine different languages all over India.

Language	Title	Original release	Network(s)	Last aired	Notes
Tamil	Nandini	23 January 2017	Sun TV	22 December 2018	Season 1 (Original)
Malayalam			Surya TV	4 January 2019	Season 1 (Dubbed)
Kannada			Udaya TV	31 July 2020	Season 1 and 2 (Reshot in Kannada)
Telugu			Gemini TV	14 August 2020	Season 1 and 2 (Dubbed)
Bengali		26 August 2019	Sun Bangla	18 April 2021
Marathi		17 October 2021	Sun Marathi	11 March 2023	Season 1 (Dubbed)
Hindi	Nandini Ka Pratishod	5 July 2024	Sun Neo TV	Ongoing	Season 1 and 2 (Dubbed)
Odia	Nandini	22 July 2024	Sun Odia
Bhojpuri		17 September 2024	Sun Bhojpuri

Reception

Season 1

This season was simultaneously launched in four languages- Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. It fetched blockbuster ratings since its launch week and shortly became the most popular television series in South India. Viewers praised its grand scale and cinematic experience. It consistently topped the TRP charts due to its critical acclaim. In week 42 of 2017 and the following week, the show was at first position. In week 52 of 2018, it was at first position with 18.47 million impressions.

Season 2

Season 2 was only launched in Kannada language. Even though the season had good TRP in its initial days, it began to drop after COVID-19 break and the show went off-air on 31 July 2020.

External links

• Nandhini at IMDb