Anaitha Nair is not your typical Indian actress. She rose to fame with her powerful role in Chak De! India, won hearts across the country, and then made a bold move—she stepped away from Bollywood to follow her passion for hairdressing.
This blog post dives deep into her life, career, and the choices that make her story truly inspiring.
Early Life and Upbringing
Anaitha Nair was born on 19 July 1984 in Bangalore, Karnataka, to a Malayali father and a Parsi mother. Her multicultural background shaped her personality and artistic flair.
- School: The Frank Anthony Public School, Bengaluru
- College: Bangalore University
- Languages Known: Hindi, English, Malayalam
- Religion: Hinduism
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
After completing her education, Anaitha moved to Mumbai to pursue acting. Her upbringing in Bangalore gave her a grounded start, while Mumbai opened doors to the entertainment world.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anaitha Nair |
| Nickname | Anaitha |
| Alternative Names(s) | Anaitha Nair |
| Date of Birth | 19 July 1984 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 40 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Bangalore, India |
| Hometown | Bangalore |
| Current Address | Hong Kong |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Hobbies and Interests | Music, Acting, Hairdressing |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English, Malayalam |
| Social Media Profiles link | |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Anaitha Nair – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Anaitha Nair – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements | 32-25-34 |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’4″, 163 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 120 lbs, 55 kg |
| Chest | 32 inches |
| Waist | 25 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hairstyle | Medium, Straight |
| Distinctive Features | Versatile Look |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Anaitha’s personal life is as heartwarming as her on-screen performances. She married her childhood friend Akhil Nair in 2011, and the couple now lives in Hong Kong3.
- Spouse: Akhil Nair
- Daughter: Aaliya Nair (named after her character in Chak De! India)
- Parents: Father of Malayali origin, Mother of Parsi origin
- Current Residence: Kowloon, Hong Kong
Anaitha balances her roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and artist with grace. Her family remains her top priority, and she often shares insights about motherhood and life abroad.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Relationships Details | Information |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Akhil Nair |
| Father | Malayali origin |
| Mother | Parsi origin |
| Children | Aaliya Nair |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Akhil Nair |
| Significant Relationships | Akhil Nair |
Rise to Stardom
Anaitha made her film debut in 2005 with the Malayalam movie By the People. But her big break came in 2007 when she played Aliya Bose, a hockey player from West Bengal, in Chak De! India4.
Her performance stood out among the ensemble cast and earned her national recognition. She trained in hockey in Australia to prepare for the role, showing her dedication to the craft.
Following Chak De! India, Anaitha appeared in:
- Mumbai Calling (2008)
- Well Done Abba (2010)
- Aashayein (2010)
- Jhootha Hi Sahi (2010)
- Dum Maaro Dum (2011)
- Force (2011)
Anaitha Nair – Selfie
Anaitha Nair – Debut Film – By the People
Anaitha Nair – Successful Film – Chak De! India
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Anaitha’s career may have been brief, but it was packed with memorable performances and accolades.
- Member of music band S5
- Released album Isai with Sony-BMG
- Appeared in over 200 live concerts
- Starred in TV commercials for Virgin Mobile, Dairy Milk, Dove, Acer, and Nescafe
- National Award for Well Done Abba (Best Film on Social Issues)
- Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress (Chak De Girls)
Anaitha worked with renowned directors like Shyam Benegal, Nagesh Kukunoor, Rohan Sippy, and Nishikant Kamat.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Singer |
| Debut Film | By the People |
| Notable Roles | Aliya Bose, Sakina, Padma, Taani, Sushi |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Fanney Khan, Project Papa |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | Mumbai Calling |
| Awards and Achievements | National Award (Well Done Abba), Screen Award (Chak De Girls) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Virgin Mobile, Dairy Milk, Dove, Acer, Nescafe |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | U&I Learning Center, Children of God Foundation |
| Professional Associations | Band S5, Sony-BMG (Isai album) |
| Training and Education | Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore University |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Chak De India, Force, Dum Maaro Dum |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Aashayein, Well Done Abba, |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $1.4 Million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Virgin Mobile, Dairy Milk, Dove, Acer, Nescafe |
| Business Ventures | Hair Salon (Hong Kong) |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | Residence in Hong Kong |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Vidal Sassoon training, premium salon setup |
| Cars Collection | Tata Nexon |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Aamir Khan |
| Favorite Actress | Deepika Padukone |
| Favorite Film | Chak De India |
| Favorite Music Bands | S5, Isai Album |
| Favorite Sport | Hockey |
| Favorite Books | Ladies Coupé, Mistress |
| Favorite Colour | pick |
| Favorite Food | N/A |
| Things s/he like | Acting, Singing, Hairdressing, Travel |
| Things s/he dislike | Stereotypes, Industry Bias |
Top 5 Best Films – Anaitha Nair
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Chak De! India | 2007 | Aliya Bose |
| Well Done Abba | 2010 | Sakina |
| Aashayein | 2010 | Padma |
| Dum Maaro Dum | 2011 | Taani |
| Force | 2011 | Rachna M. Pandey |
Controversies – Anaitha Nair
- Career Shift: Her decision to quit Bollywood at its peak and become a hairstylist surprised many.
- Bold Roles: Her portrayal of a cancer patient in Aashayein involved shaving her head, which was both brave and unconventional.
- TV Commercials: Some of her ads, especially for medical products, drew mixed reactions.
- Short Film Career: Fans questioned why she left acting after just a few years.
- Media Silence: Anaitha rarely gives interviews, which adds mystery to her public persona.
Interesting Facts – Anaitha Nair
- She trained in hockey in Australia for Chak De! India.
- She was part of a band called S5, launched by A.R. Rahman.
- She owns a popular hair salon in Hong Kong called Hair by Anaitha.
- Her daughter’s name Aaliya is inspired by her film character.
- She has lived in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
- She is pursuing a Master’s in Psychology, showing her love for learning.
Anaitha Nair’s journey is a refreshing story in the world of Indian cinema. She proved that success is not just about fame—it is about following your heart. From being a celebrated Indian film actress to a successful entrepreneur and mother, Anaitha continues to inspire.
Her story is a perfect blend of talent, courage, and authenticity. Whether you admire her for her roles in Bollywood or her work behind the salon chair, Anaitha Nair is a name worth remembering.
