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Four of the finest


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Four of the finest

August 30, 2007

Gloria Elayadathusseril


SUKANYA

For some of us, she is the wrinkled old Amirthavalli in Indian, acting alongside Kamal Haasan. For others she is the mischievous young Devayani from Chinna Gownder. For still others, the multi-talented Sukanya is a TV actor, a music album producer, a classical dancer and a talk-show host. She spoke to Desi Life during a recent visit to Toronto.

When her heroine status began to fade in the late '90s, Sukanya did not disappear but instead found her footing on the small screen. Still, Sukanya hasn't forgotten her first love, classical dance. In fact, her trip to Toronto was to take part in a bharatanatyam arangetram event as the chief guest. "It is so nice to see children growing up here take such interest in their tradition and culture, and seriously learn classical dance and music," says Sukanya, the recipient of Kalaimamani, a Tamil Nadu state award bestowed on exponents of various fine art forms.

Fans can see her back on the big screen in the role of a middle-aged mother in Thottal Poo Malarum, which was scheduled for an early August release.

So how does she feel about having to take on the role of a mother or a much older person, while men twice her age are still shooting dance sequences with young heroines? She's certainly not bitter about it. She says, without elaborating, that the industry has started moving in the right direction and people are also open to newer ideas, realistic storylines and presentation. Until then, there is always television for women with talent and a bit of luck.

Toronto-based journalist Gloria Elayadathusseril writes on entertainment and immigrant communities. Email desilife@thestar.ca.