The New Year is definitely starting on a high note for Dhanya Mary Varghese. A new role – not on reel – awaits her. The actor is entering wedlock on January 9 and is bidding adieu to her acting career for the time being.
“I'd already decided to take a break from acting after a certain period of time because, after a point, you tend to become addicted to the profession,” says the charming actor. “Also, it is not easy to balance family life and professional life for an artiste, especially an actor. She has her limitations. That is one of the reasons why many heroines quit the profession after their marriage. You can't blame them for that,” Dhanya says.
However, she adds, “If a good role comes my way and my husband is supportive, I'd take that offer.”
Dhanya started her career as a dancer (she has taken training in many classical dance forms) and her next step was into the modelling industry. She has modelled for brands such as Asian Paints, East Tea and Kalyan Silks, among others. “The best part of my modelling career has been that I could work with Rajeev Menon (for Asian Paints),” she says.
Interestingly, as in the case of several leading ladies now, it was the Tamil film industry that first took note of her. Thirudi was her debut film. Nanma (by Sarat Chandran Wayanad) was her first Malayalam movie. “There was a gap after that, during which I concentrated on studies. Then came the big break of my career – Thalappavu ,” she says.
Dhanya has starred in 16 films. She has completed shooting for Nissar's Platform No.1 , which stars Jackie Shroff and Shwetha Menon. “Working with Jackie Shroff has been a nice experience. Although we didn't have much scenes together, when I met him on the sets he came out as a very nice and humble person. Meeting people like Jackie and Anupam Kher (with whom she worked in Pranayam ) was a revelation, for, till then I had certain misconceptions about artistes from Bollywood,” Dhanya says.
Besides Platform , her other films up for release are Sivapuram (with Bala) and Ennennum Ormakkayi (with Rathinirvedam -fame Sreejith Vijay).
An introspection
“There have been many disappointments. But, ultimately, what is destined to happen will happen. In fact, I have let many roles slip away and those films went on to become hits...,” she says. Like? After a pause, she says with a smile, “ 2 Harihar Nagar , Cocktail and Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha are the big misses! I misjudged certain things and that proved costly. At the same time, there are a few films that I wish I hadn't done!,” she says.
There have been intermittent gaps in her career. However, she has little complaints. And she can't thank Madhupal enough for the break he gave her in Thalappavu , and the title role in Daivathinu Swantham Devootty , a 20-episode serial, telecast on Mazhavil Manorama.
“I was a bit hesitant to do a serial, because they never end! But Daivathinu… was different. Madhupal narrated the script and the story floored me. It had a female-oriented subject, one that you rarely get in movies. Also, it had just 20 episodes. He was particular that I should do the role, especially because he liked my performance in Pranayam ,” says Dhanya. “The serial was immensely appreciated. I have learnt that they might re-telecast it,” she says. It is about a bold girl who is married into a conservative family where she ends up more or less a slave.
About John
John Jacob, her beau, is a dancer-turned-actor and is into real estate business as well. “We met on the sets of the 100th episode celebrations of Comedy Stars (Asianet). Instantly, we clicked. Later, we travelled abroad for a stage show. And that acquaintance blossomed into love. Both families are happy with the alliance,” Dhanya says with glee. John too had acted in Daivathinu… “It just happened. Our marriage wasn't even fixed then!,” she says.
