Fact Check: Did Nayanthara Go Bald at Tirupati Temple Ahead of Toxic Release?

Nayanthara has become the latest celebrity to be caught in the wave of AI-generated misinformation online. Viral images claiming that the actress shaved her head at Tirumala ahead of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups are digitally manipulated, not genuine photographs.

Nayanthara is currently balancing two major projects — Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups and her upcoming Salman Khan film SVC63. With Toxic approaching its August 26 theatrical release, the actress has also made a rare appearance during the film’s promotional campaign.

However, alongside genuine photographs of Nayanthara visiting temples, fabricated images began circulating on social media showing her with a completely shaved head at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.

Did Nayanthara really shave her head at Tirupati?

No. There is no credible evidence that Nayanthara shaved her head at Tirupati or Tirumala.

The viral photographs are AI-generated or digitally manipulated. The original image appears to show Nayanthara dressed in a white embroidered kurta and green dupatta during a temple visit. Her appearance was subsequently altered to create the bald look.

The manipulated photographs appear to have been circulated without any reliable source or official confirmation from Nayanthara.

This is particularly relevant at a time when AI-generated celebrity images are becoming increasingly difficult for social-media users to distinguish from authentic photographs. A photograph appearing realistic online does not, by itself, establish that the event actually happened.

Nayanthara was recently spotted at Siddhivinayak Temple

Nayanthara’s association with spirituality is well known, and she has frequently visited temples with her husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan.

She was recently seen at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple while juggling her professional commitments. However, that genuine temple appearance should not be confused with the manipulated Tirumala photographs circulating online.

Neither Nayanthara nor her legal representatives have publicly confirmed any head-shaving ritual at Tirumala.

Nayanthara makes a rare appearance for Toxic

The actress generally keeps away from extensive film promotions, but she made an exception for Toxic.

During the film’s trailer launch in Bengaluru on August 8, Nayanthara explained why she normally avoids promotional events.

“It’s not that I don’t want to attend promotional events; it’s just that I’m not very good at it. So I stay away from it.”

She said Yash’s request was one of the reasons she agreed to attend the Toxic event.

Nayanthara also spoke warmly about director Geetu Mohandas and revealed that she initially wasn’t convinced about doing the film.

“When she called me for this film, I wasn’t sure, I said, ‘No, I don’t think I want to do the film,’” the actress recalled.

After Geetu offered to personally narrate the script, however, Nayanthara changed her mind. She said the filmmaker’s vision convinced her that audiences were going to see something different.

Who does Nayanthara play in Toxic?

Nayanthara plays Ganga, who appears to be closely connected to Yash’s character Raya, reportedly as his sister.

Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is directed by Geetu Mohandas and features Yash alongside Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria.

The film has been shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

Yash is also one of the film’s producers, alongside Venkat K Narayana.

The gangster drama is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26, 2026.

Nayanthara’s next project is with Salman Khan

Toxic isn’t Nayanthara’s only major project.

She is also working on SVC63, the upcoming Hindi film starring Salman Khan and directed by Vamshi Paidipally. The project is currently in production and is expected to release in 2027.

The film marks Nayanthara’s return to Hindi cinema following Jawan.

The verdict

Claim: Nayanthara shaved her head at Tirupati/Tirumala ahead of Toxic.

Verdict: False.

The viral bald-head photographs are AI-generated or digitally manipulated images. There is no verified evidence that Nayanthara actually shaved her head at Tirumala. Her recent temple visit to Siddhivinayak in Mumbai is genuine, but it does not substantiate the viral claim.

As AI-generated celebrity photographs become more common, readers should verify unusual claims through official statements, credible reporting and original image sources before sharing them.