If anyone asked young Nayana, what she wanted to become when she grew up, she swiftly replied that she wanted to become a film maker. Nayana who has always been passionate about directing movies, achieved her dream, at the young age of 22, when she became the director of many successful TV commercials.
A native of Vennala in Kochi, Nayana Syam has become one of the most sought after directors in the advertising field, where money is invested in the millions. International brands like Samsung, Nyka and Lifestyle have roped in Nayana to helm their promotional ads. Noted Bollywood actors like Nawazudin Siddiqui, Vidya Balan and Irrfan Khan have already appreciated Nayana’s brilliance and talent.
Dream big
Other than the dream of becoming a film maker, Nayana didn’t have any other ‘back – up’ plans. She had even planned her education in such a way that it helped her achieve her dreams. After completing the elementary education from the Toc H School in Kochi, Nayana flew to the Gulf to complete her school education. She returned to India after completing the plus two and got enrolled for a course in media studies in Pune Symbiosis. On her third year as a student, Nayana directed her first short film titled Meera.
It was for the popular retail fashion brand, Lifestyle, that she directed her first TV commercial. Nayana prepares the scripts of all the promotional videos and TV commercials that she directs. The first TV commercial that she directed was well noticed. After completing her internship, she joined Filtercopy, one of the largest advertising startups in the country. This opened an array of opportunities for her and Nayana directed many commercials and film promotion videos which became instant hits on the social media.
Significant mother’s day
The mother’s day promotional video that she did for Lifestyle, in 2017, became a milestone in Nayana’s career. The video titled ‘Fashion Conversations with Mom’ was viewed by millions on the social media. The beautifully shot video celebrated the spirited of mother’s day and featured an adorable mother – daughter duo. The mother constantly gives advices regarding fashion choices to her daughter and suggests attires for each occasion. It amazingly captured the funny banter between them and also the small disagreements when it came to fashion. The super hit video featured popular actors – models Sheeba Chadha and Ayesha Ahmed. In the end of the video, the young daughter makes her mother too wear trendy clothes. The client was happy as soon as they received the script prepared by Nayana. More than 4 million viewers have watched the video online.
Procession of hits
Nayana pens her scripts mostly inspired by the small incidents that happen in own her life. The video ‘Tenant Entrance Examination’ was about the landlords in the city who refuse to rent out houses for young bachelors. When Lifestyle approached Filtercopy, again, to produce a promotional video, it was Nayana who helmed the project. The credit for the super hit and viral videos like Things Sisters Do, When You Date a Book Lover and Struggles of Having Long Hair, too go to Nayana Shyam.
Huge Brands
Nayana has already directed TV commercials for popular brands like Samsung, Nyka, Pepperfry, Tanishk, Hike Messenger and Penguin Random House, to name a few. Her videos and TV commercials have featured Bollywood biggies like Nawazudin Siddiqui, Vidya Balan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Irrfan Khan and Mithila Palkar. Meanwhile, Nayana became the winner of many prestigious national awards as well.
Nayana is settled in Mumbai creating TV commercials, promotional videos and series. Also trying her hands in acting, the youngster essays a prominent role in the movie starring Madhavan, based on the life of former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan. Nayana is the daughter of Vennala natives Shyamkumar and Anu Shyam.
