Divya Unni: The queen of Cochin is raring to go in Chennai in a big way.

Q: What prompted you to select Tamil movies as your destination; better salary or better pedigree as an actress?

A: I don’t think language is a barrier to act in movies. When you are an actress, you always think about exploring the possibilities of acting in as many languages as possible. Moreover I am fluent in Tamil and quite thrilled about the many openings and the variety that the industry here can offer to a committed actress like me.

Q: How many films have you got under your belt and how many in the making? 

A: “Kannan Varuvan” paired with Karthik is my first film in Tamil; “Shabaash” for K. Subhash came next. And the popular hit “Paalayathamman” for Ramanarayanan happened to be the latest one. Right now I am shooting for “Vedam” with actor-director Arjun.

Q: You are a top-notch actress in Kerala and got a good fan following there; are you confident that you would go up the ladder in Tamil as fast as you did in Kerala?

A: It is fun acting in Tamil movies. It is not just for the better remuneration that I took up Tamil movies; it is for something more in terms of good roles and gaining recognition as a good actress in Tamil.

Q: You are a gorgeous heroine now, but you were a child artist too and how did you get that break at an early age?

A: I was very much a studious student before I was picked up from school by one leading Malayalam producer and I stood facing the camera in the year ’86. And exactly after a decade I stood again in front of the camera as a heroine.

Q: Which one role could be defined as your dream role?

A: Since, I happen to be a Bharatanatyam dancer; I would love to act in a script, which revolves around the life of a classical dancer.

Q: What is love and how would you define it?

A: Love is a blessing. If you genuinely love a person you let him go and you don’t grow sentimental about it, knowing he would come back to you guided by his soul.

Q: Stripping has become an art, of late; will you do it too?

A: I am very much a director’s artist and I don’t have any qualms about appearing glamorous on screen. No one is going to force it down your throat if you are not willing to do a revealing scene. But certain characters demand certain dress code, and you appear draped in a sari or otherwise in a bikini as per the commands of the context.

Q: Any worthwhile hobbies that you love to indulge in?

A: I am still a college going gal and I keep coming to Chennai for shooting from my home in Cochin. As a part of my curriculum I went and taught in a school for a few days. I took classes for seventh standard boys and girls.

Q: How would you define your off-screen personality?

A: I am a friendly girl and I can get along with anybody.

Q: Who is your favourite actor?

A: Anil Kapoor

Q: By the way, what did you learn on the way?

A: Lot of things. I have developed a fine eye for observation. When I see a blossom or a child, I forget the world around me and myself.

Updated on 04 - 04 - 2001

Compiled by U. Bharat.

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