Later in February 2016, director Bramma approached Jyothika to play the leading role in a "female-centric" script he had written

and impressed by the

offer, her husband Suriya agreed to finance the film.[70] Jyothika subsequently participated in a series of workshops to get ready for her role in the film
for twenty days.[71][70] The movie is titled Magalir Mattum, written and directed by Bramma, in his second venture after Kuttram Kadithal (2015). It also
features Saranya, Urvashi, Bhanupriya, Nassar and J. Livingston playing pivotal roles. Produced by Suriya, the venture began production in July 2016.
She was also signed by Sri Thenandal Films for another project titled Mersal together in September 2016, opposite Vijay, directed by Atlee.[72][73] A few
days after the shoot began, Jyothika opted out of the project and the makers signed Nithya Menen to replace her. No official announcement is made so
far about the replacement.[74]

In late February 2017, Suriya confirmed Jyothika's new project, Naachiyaar by sharing the first look posters of the film.[75] She received several
accolades for her performance in Naachiyar as Rough and Riveting Cop. Deccan chronicle addressed her as "Lady Singham".[76] As per behindwoods
Jyothika is fantastic, as she masterfully plays the role of a menacing, short-tempered and a bold cop, with a gracious heart.[77][78] Following the immense
success of the film and Jyothika's big fan following in the Telugu speaking states, the film Naachiyar has been dubbed into Telugu by the title Jhansi.[79]
[80]
Jyothika agreed to portray a leading female role in Mani Ratnam's project titled Chekka Chivantha Vaanam in early September 2017, and confirmed
her participation to the media while promoting Magalir Mattum (2017). She had earlier appeared in Mani Ratnam's production venture Dumm Dumm
Dumm (2001), but stated her excitement at being selected in a film to be directed by him.[20][21]

Further success and recent work (2018–present)

In 2018, she appeared as the lead role of Chitra, a housewife to Arvind Swami's character in Mani Ratnam's film Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. The first
look was released on 21 August. The film has a worldwide release on 27 September 2018.[81] She was next seen as a housewife struggling to find her
own identity in Kaatrin Mozhi, the Tamil remake of Vidya Balan's Tumhari Sulu. The project, which officially went on the floors on 4 June, was directed
by Radha Mohan and marked his reunion with Jyothika after the critically acclaimed Mozhi.[82]

After the success of Kaatrin Mozhi, she was again cast as one of the female lead roles in Mani Ratnam's period action drama film, Ponniyin Selvan:
I.She was also considered for the lead female role in Vetrimaaran's Asuran opposite Dhanush.[83][84][85] She opted out from both films due to her prior
project commitments.[86][87] Jyothika was seen in three films that year, Raatchasi, produced by Dream Warrior Pictures in which she plays a school
teacher;[88] Jackpot, in which she appears as a cop co-starring Revathi under 2D Entertainment[89][90] and Thambi, a Jeethu Joseph film along with Karthi.
[91][92]
She won several accolades for her performance in Raatchasi including Behindwoods Gold Medal Award for Best Actor Lead Role (Female),[93] and
the Edison Award for Best Actress.[93][94][95]

After the success of three films, she starred in a legal drama film written and directed by J. J. Fredrick in his directorial debut, Ponmagal Vandhal.Being
Amazon's first Indian digital film and the maiden Tamil film to be released on a streaming platform following pandemic restrictions, the film was
premiered digitally on 29 May 2020 and received mixed reviews from critics, praising Jyothika's performance, story and the social message conveyed
in the film, but criticised the lack of depth in the narration, slow-paced and clichéd screenplay. However, it became one of the most watched films in
digital streaming services of the year.[96] Her 50th film, Udanpirappe was released directly on Amazon Prime Video on 14 October 2021[97] as a part of
2D Entertainment's four-film deal with the streaming service.[98][99] She was Nominated for Best actress Category for her performances in both
films, Ponmagal Vandhal and Udanpirappe as Venba / Angel / Sakthijothi (imagination) and Maathangi Sargunam respectively at 67th Filmfare Awards
South.[100] Gargi, starring Sai Pallavi was distributed by Jyothika and Suriya.[101]

Work in Telugu and Malayalam films (2003-present)

Jyothika's first Telugu entry as the lead female role was in the Telugu film Tagore, opposite Chiranjeevi, in which she played his wife. The film was
screened at the International Indian Film Academy Awards, and was a commercial success.[46][54] She acted along with Nagarjuna in Mass, directed by
debutant Raghava Lawrence, for which she was nominated for her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Nomination at Filmfare Awards. The
film was dubbed into Tamil with the title Veeran, which also became a blockbuster and Hindi as Meri Jung–One Man Army.

Her last film in Telugu was Shock, opposite to Ravi Teja. It was produced by Ram Gopal Varma.She was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best
Actress – Telugu for her performance.[102] She was considered to act in the Telugu film Stalin, opposite Chiranjeevi.[103] She was selected as the lead
actress opposite Nagarjuna in Sri Ramadasu and Venkatesh in Lakshmi, but refused the offers due to her marriage preparations.[citation needed] She was
asked to act along with Venkatesh again in Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule. Jyothika opted out after signing the contract due to her wedding
arrangements and it later came to the hands of Trisha.[104] Her film Mozhi was released in Telugu under the title Maataranai Mounamidi.[105]

After an impressive comeback, she was approached by director Venu Sriram and producer Dil Raju for a strong character in the film Middle Class
Abbayi starring Nani, Sai Pallavi and Bhumika Chawla. Chawla replaced her later.[106] Boyapati Srinu was considered Jyothika in Jai Simha opposite
to Nandamuri Balakrishna, but later K. S. Ravikumar replaced Boyapati and Jyothika's role went to Nayanthara.[107] Her latest film Thambi along
with Karthi was dubbed into Telugu as Donga.[108][109]

She acted in three Malayalam films: Raakilipattu (2007), Seetha Kalyanam (2009) and Kaathal – The Core (2023).[110][111] For her work in Seetha
Kalyanam (2009), she was nominated for Best Actress – Malayalam at Filmfare Awards but lost to Swetha Menon for Paleri Manikyam.[112]

Personal life

Jyothika with her husband Suriya at the launch of her film Kaatrin
Mozhi (2018)
Jyothika is married to actor Suriya. The couple has worked in seven films together, the first being Poovellam Kettuppar (1999).[113] After dating for
several years, they got married on 11 September 2006.[114][115] They have two children: a daughter (Diya; born 2007) and a son (Dev; born 2010).[116][117]

Other ventures
Jyothika owns a film production and distribution company named 2D Entertainment, established by her husband and actor Suriya.[118] Rajsekar Pandian
is also a part of 2D. The company was named by the starting le