Nandini was born as Prema in Tellicherry, Madras Presidency. Her family moved to Bangalore when she was young; her father worked as a professor in the city. She graduated from the Mount Carmel College and Maharani College in the city. She got married to the Kannada film producer, Bhaktavatsala, who was also the president of the Mysore film chamber. Nandini's role in Girish Karnad's Kaadu won her that year's National Film Award for Best Actress.^[2] As of 2016, she is the vice president of International Music and Arts Society, Bangalore.^[3]

• Kaadu (1973)
• Poonam ki Raat (1965)