Vidya Pradeep is an Indian actress and biologist.[3][4][1] She is currently working as a stem cell researcher in the United States.[3] Her films include Saivam (2014), Pasanga 2 (2015), and Thadam (2019)
Vidya Pradeep | |
|---|---|
 Vidya Pradeep during Thadam audio launch | |
| Born | |
| Other names | Vidya Gopakumar,[1] Dhyana[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, biologist[1] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
Career
editAfter completing her Master of Science in Biotechnology degree, Vidya Pradeep completed her PhD in Stem Cell Biology at an eye hospital in Chennai. She works on ocular stem cells, and her works have been published in the "International Journal of Cornea" and "International Journal of Cell Therapy".[1][5]
She practiced Bharatanatyam during her childhood.[2] While pursuing her PhD, Vidya worked as a model and appeared in several print and television advertisements. Vidya says that her break in to the world of Ads and movies were accidental. She also appeared in the music video for A. R. Rahman's "Aa Bhi Jaa" from his studio album Raunaq alongside Yami Gautam and several other models. Vidya was signed to play a role in a film by Lohithadas, but the film didn't materialise. She was subsequently signed to play a supporting role in Aval Peyar Thamizharasi (2010) and debuted under the name Dhyana. Her next film was Virunthali (2010), where she played the heroine.[2] She was spotted by director A. L. Vijay, who cast her in his successful family drama film, Saivam (2014) to portray Sara Arjun's mother. For the film, she reverted to her original name and put on weight to portray a middle-aged woman. The film and the ensemble cast won positive reviews for its portrayal of a family. She then featured in the action drama, Adhibar (2015) as the lead actress opposite Jeevan.[6][7] Pradeep then worked on Pandiraj's Pasanga 2 (2015) portraying the mother of a small child.[citation needed] Critics noted that Pradeep added "solidity to the film by coming up with a credible performance" and that she did "commendably well".[8] She worked on the psychological thriller Onnume Puriyala (2016), which made the headlines for becoming the first Tamil film to be remade in German, and played a cameo in Achamindri (2016).[9][10]
Pradeep made her debut in Kannada with Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya (2017) opposite Shivarajkumar, and the film opened to very positive reviews.[11][12][13] Vidya was highly appreciated by the critics for her acting skills and screen presence.[12][13][11] The New Indian Express noted that "Vidya Pradeep doesn’t stay a glam doll instead proves her talent in acting when called for", while the Deccan Herald says that it is a "fortuitous debut for Vidya Pradeep".[12][13] In March 2019, she appeared in Thadam with Arun Vijay. Times of India said "Vidya's performance stands out" and The Indian Express stated that "Vidya Pradeep needs a special mention and manages to hold your attention undivided right through as Malar".[14][15]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Aval Peyar Thamizharasi | Dancer | Debut film;[16] Credited as Dhyana |
| Virunthali | Archana | Credited as Dhyana[citation needed] | |
| 2013 | Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath | Radhika | Malayalam film; Cameo Appearance |
| 2014 | Saivam | Thenmozhi | |
| 2015 | Adhibar | Suganthi | |
| Pasanga 2 | Divya Kathir | ||
| 2016 | Achamindri | Shruthi | |
| 2017 | Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya | Nayana | Kannada film |
| 2018 | Iravukku Aayiram Kangal | Anitha | |
| Kalari | Mallika | ||
| Maari 2 | Kalai's Wife | ||
| 2019 | Thadam | Malarvizhi | |
| 2020 | Ponmagal Vandhal | Shakthi Jothi (Psycho Jothi) | Cameo Appearance[17] |
| 2021 | Kasada Thapara | Vaanathi | Anthology Film; Segment: Thappattam |
| Thalaivii | Actress | Cameo Appearance[18] | |
| Chithirai Sevvanam | Lakshmi | ||
| 2022 | Selfie | Mona | |
| Ward 126 | Yamini | ||
| Yenni Thuniga | Teja | ||
| Powder | Vidya | ||
| Second Show | Meera | ||
| 2023 | D3 | Maya | |
| Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir | Maya | ||
| Infinity | Nandini | ||
| Echo | Nila | ||
| Striker | Priya | ||
| Kannagi | Nethra | ||
| 2024 | Light House | ||
| Sattam En Kaiyil | Balu's wife | [19] |
Web series
edit| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | I Hate You I Love You - "Chapter 2 - Searching" | Shruthi | Madboys Original YouTube Channel |
Television series
edit| Year | Series | Role | Channel | language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2020 | Nayagi | Anandhi Kathiresan Thirumurugan | Sun TV | Tamil | Replacement of Vijayalakshmi |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "In vitro transdifferentiation of human skin keratinocytes to corneal epithelial cells". celltherapyjournal.org. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ a b c S. R. Ashok Kumar (6 May 2010). "My First Break: Dhyana". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Actress Vidya Pradeep gets doctorate in Stem Cell Biology; To head to US for job". The Times of India. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ^ "Thadam Actress Vidya Pradeep Gets Doctorate In Stem Cell Biology, To Head For The US » GossipChimp | Trending K-Drama, TV, Gaming News". 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ^ menon, thinkal (2 October 2015). "The pretty scientist on big screen". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ "Vidya Pradeep shares her experience with Jeevan". kalakkalcinema.com. 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "Vidya Pradeep expects a lot from 'Athibar'". kalakkalcinema.com. 22 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "Pasanga-2 (aka) Haiku review". Behindwoods.com. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ K. R. Manigandan (16 January 2017). "Tamil film to be remade in German". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ Mrinalini Sundari (16 January 2017). "Vidya Pradeep does a cameo in Achamindri". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Bangaara S/O Bagarada Manushya Review {3.5/5}: Go ahead, watch this film — it lets you see farmers and their problems with a sheen". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ a b c "Bangara... in the footsteps of Bangarada manushya". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ a b c "Rising in revolt for a noble cause". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ "Thadam Review {3.5/5}: Arun Vijay steals the show with dual roles". The Times of India.
- ^ "Thadam movie review: A thriller that doesn't disappoint". 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ "Brainy Beauty for Bangaara". The New Indian Express. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Vidya Pradeep's female-centric thriller spans two nights". The Times of India. October 2020. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Vidya Pradeep to play a pivotal role in Thalaivi". DT next. 18 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Sathish's Sattam En Kaiyil gets release date". Cinema Express. 25 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.