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Unni Mary
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Unni Mary | |
|---|---|
| Born | Unni Mary 12 March 1962 |
| Other names | Deepa |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1969–1992 |
| Spouse |
Rejoy (m. 1982) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Augustine Fernandes Victoria |
Unni Mary (born 12 March 1962) is an Indian actress and producer who works mainly in Malayalam films. She has also worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Kannada films, where she used the screen name Deepa. Her career spanned from 1969 to 1992, during which she established a dual cinematic identity: as "Unni Mary," the relatable girl-next-door in Malayalam cinema, and as "Deepa," a symbol of modern style and glamour in Tamil and Telugu cinema.[1]
She is noted for her performances in films such as Picnic, Johnny, Meendum Kokila, and Godfather.
Early life
[edit]Unnimary was born 12 March 1962 to Augustine Fernandes and Victoria in Ernakulam.[1] She comes from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts; her mother owned and managed a professional ballet troupe that performed on stages across India and abroad. Consequently, she began rigorous training in classical dance at the age of three.
She had her primary education from St. Teresa's Convent School, Ernakulam. However, her professional acting career began while she was still a primary school student. She has a brother, Joseph Martin.[2]
Career
[edit]1969–1978: Early years and Malayalam breakthrough
[edit]Unni Mary debuted as a child artist in 1969 in the film Navavadhu at the age of seven. She was credited simply as "Mary" in her early works like Gangasangamam (1971). Her major transition from child artist to supporting actress occurred with the 1975 film Picnic, directed by J. Sasikumar, where she played the character Radha alongside Prem Nazir. The film's success established her visibility in mainstream Malayalam cinema.
Throughout the late 1970s, she appeared in numerous Malayalam films, frequently sharing screen space with actors like Prem Nazir and Jayan. Notable films from this period include the period drama Kannappanunni (1977) and Thacholi Ambu (1978), the first CinemaScope film in Malayalam, where she played the role of Kanni.
1979–1987: The "Deepa" Phenomenon
[edit]While maintaining her career in Kerala, she adopted the screen name Deepa for the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi industries. This rebranding accompanied a shift in her screen persona towards more modern, glamorous roles, coinciding with the "Tamil New Wave" of the late 1970s.
Her breakthrough in Tamil came with Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari (1979). She gained critical acclaim and cult status for her role as Bhama in J. Mahendran's Johnny, starring alongside Rajinikanth. In 1981, she replaced actress Rekha in the film Meendum Kokila, playing the role of a film star named Kamini opposite Kamal Haasan, a performance that proved her capability in comedy. She also played the iconic role of "Pattu Teacher" in K. Bhagyaraj's blockbuster Mundhanai Mudichu (1983).
In Telugu cinema, she acted in K. Viswanath's masterpiece Swathi Muthyam (1986), which was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. In Kannada, she starred opposite Dr. Rajkumar in Dhruva Thare (1985).
1988–1992: Character roles and production
[edit]In the late 1980s, Unni Mary transitioned into strong supporting and character roles in Malayalam cinema. She is well remembered for her role as Omana in the comedy cult classic Godfather and for her appearance in the blockbuster Chithram (1988) as the protagonist's sister.
In 1985, she ventured into film production, producing and starring in the Malayalam film Kattu Rani. She retired from the film industry in 1992 to focus on her family life.
Personal life
[edit]She married Rejoy, a professor at St. Albert's College, Ernakulam on 12 March 1982, and they have a son, Nirmal. Their son Nirmal is married to Ranjini and they have a son, Rihan.[3]
Identity confusion
[edit]Due to her screen name "Deepa" and her withdrawal from public life, she is frequently confused in digital archives with other actresses. She is unrelated to the Tamil actress Mohini (who later became an evangelist), the Kannada actress Deepa Sannidhi, or the supporting actress Deepa Shankar. Unni Mary has remained a private citizen in Ernakulam since her retirement in 1992.
Filmography
[edit]Malayalam
[edit]Tamil
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Andharangam | Deepa | |
| Swami Ayyappan | |||
| 1978 | Mudi Sooda Mannan | ||
| 1979 | Neeya? | Deepa | |
| Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari | Nandini | ||
| Nallathoru Kudumbam | |||
| Manthoppu Kiliye | Sarada | ||
| 1980 | Ullasa Paravaigal | ||
| Johnny | Bhama | ||
| Vedanai Thediya Maan | |||
| Theru Vilakku | |||
| Valli Mayil | |||
| Veli Thandiya Velladu | |||
| Ilayarajavin Rasikai | Kavitha | ||
| 1981 | Meendum Kokila | Kamini | |
| Kannadi | |||
| Vaa Intha Pakkam | |||
| Kadhal Kadhal Kadhal | Vaani | ||
| 1983 | Mundhanai Mudichu | Pattu Teacher | |
| 1984 | Anni | ||
| Kuzhandhai Yesu | |||
| Neram Nalla Neram | |||
| Vazhkai | Sumathi | ||
| 1985 | Marma Manithan | ||
| Raja Yuvaraja | Anitha | ||
| Santhosha Kanavukal | Gowri | ||
| 1986 | Sippikkul Muthu | Subbu | |
| Murattu Karangal | |||
| Naanum Oru Thozhilali | |||
| 1987 | Neram Nalla Irikku | ||
| Vaazhga Valarga | Nandini | ||
| Koottu Puzhukkal | |||
| 1988 | Kalyana Paravaigal | ||
| 1990 | Amman Kovil Thiruvizha | ||
| 1992 | Pattathu Raani |
Telugu
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | America Ammayi | ||
| 1977 | Prema Lekhalu | ||
| Andame Anandam | |||
| Khaidi Kalidasu | Sujatha | ||
| Dana Veera Soora Karna | Uttara | ||
| Panthulamma | |||
| 1978 | Chal Mohana Ranga | ||
| Dudu Basavanna | Malli | ||
| Nindu Manishi | Sanja | ||
| 1979 | Akbar Saleem Anarkali | Anarkali | |
| Rangoon Rowdy | Deepa | ||
| Dasa Thirigindi | |||
| Andame Anandam | |||
| 1980 | Sri Vinayaka Vijayam | ||
| Nagamalli | |||
| Podarillu | |||
| O Inti Bhagotham | |||
| Thathayya Premaleelalu | Savitha | ||
| Triloka Sundari | |||
| Kaliyuga Ravanasurudu | |||
| O Inti Bhagotham | |||
| Pilla Zamindar | |||
| 1981 | Deepaaradhana | ||
| 1982 | Kothaneeru | ||
| Ramayanamlo Pidakala Veta | |||
| 1983 | Raju Rani Jackie | Geetha | |
| 1984 | Kutumba Gauravam | ||
| 1985 | Aatmabalam | Pankajavalli / Pinky | |
| Ladies Tailor | Nurse Daya | ||
| Kongumudi[4] | Geetha | ||
| Darja Donga | |||
| Surya Chandra | |||
| 1986 | Swathi Muthyam | Subbulu | |
| Gharana Rowdy | |||
| Aakrandana | Devudamma | ||
| 1987 | Dabbevariki Chedu | ||
| Thandri Kodukula Challenge | |||
| Andarikante Ghanudu | |||
| Ramu | Girja | ||
| Chaitanyam | |||
| 1990 | Kaliyuga Viswamithra |
Kannada
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Vijay Vikram | Lata | |
| Naniruvude Ninagagi | Shobha | ||
| 1983 | Ibbani Karagithu | Swetha | |
| 1985 | Kadina raaja | Usha | |
| Dhruva Thare | Sarala | ||
| Thaayi kanasu | |||
| Sathi Sakkubai | |||
| Guru Jagatguru | Hema |
Hindi
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Amar Deep | Lata | |
| 1984 | Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Babu, Bibin (12 March 2021). "ഉണ്ണിമേരിക്ക് 59 വയസ്സ്; മുൻ തെന്നിന്ത്യൻ താരസുന്ദരി ഇപ്പോൾ എവിടെയാണ്?". Samayam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". Cinidiary.com. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ "Unni Mary to Suchitra Murali: 7 Malayalam actresses who have disappeared". Asianet. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Kongumudi (1985)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 March 2024.