Vidya Pradeep

Vidya Pradeep is an Indian actress and research scientist.[1] She has acted in films Saivam (2014), Pasanga 2 (2015), Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya (2017) and Thadam (2019).

Vidya Pradeep
Pradeep during Thadam audio launch
Other names	Vidya Gopakumar[1], Dhyana[2]
Occupation	Actress, Scientist[1]
Years active	2010–present

Career

She practiced Bharatanatyam during her childhood.[2] While pursuing her PhD, Vidya worked as a model and appeared in several print and television advertisements. 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 subsequenly 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.[3][4] Pradeep then worked on Pandiraj's Pasanga 2 (2015) portraying the mother of a small child.[5] Critics noted that Pradeep added "solidity to the film by coming up with a credible performance" and that she did "commendably well".[6][7] 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).[8][9]

Pradeep made her debut in Kannada with Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya (2017) opposite Shivarajkumar, and the film opened to very positive reviews.[10][11][12][13] Vidya was highly appreciated by the critics for her acting skills and screen presence.[11][12][10] 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".[11][12]

After completing her master's degree in Biotechnology, Pradeep pursued her PhD at an eye hospital in Chennai. As a research scientist, she works on stem cell biology, and her works are published in "International Journal of Cornea" and International Journal of Cell Therapy.[14][1][15]

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".[16][17] She is also very popular as the lead character of Naayagi on SunTv By Vikatan productions.

Filmography

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Year	Film	Role	Language	Notes
2010	Aval Peyar Thamizharasi	Dancer	Tamil	Tamil debut; credited as Dhyana
	Virunthali	Archana	Tamil	credited as Dhyana
2013	Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath	Radhika	Malayalam	Cameo appearance
2014	Saivam	Thenmozhi	Tamil
2015	Adhibar	Suganthi	Tamil
	Pasanga 2	Divya	Tamil
2016	Onnume Puriyala	Rebecca	Tamil
	Achamindri	Shruthi	Tamil
2017	Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya	Nayana	Kannada	Kannada debut
2018	Iravukku Aayiram Kangal	Anitha	Tamil
	Kalari	Mallika	Tamil
	Maari 2	Kalai’s wife	Tamil
2019	Thadam	Malarvizhi	Tamil
2020	Ponmagal Vandhal	Shakti Jothi	Tamil	Cameo appearance
	Othaikku Othai	Anitha	Tamil	Post-production
	Asurakulam	Priya	Tamil	Post-production
	Thalaivi	TBA	Tamil	Filming

Television

Year	Series	Role	Language	Channel	Notes
2018–2020	Nayagi	Anandhi Thirumurugan / Kathiresan	Tamil	Sun TV	Female Lead, Main Protagonist

References

1. "In vitro transdifferentiation of human skin keratinocytes to corneal epithelial cells". celltherapyjournal.org. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
2. S. R. Ashok Kumar (6 May 2010). "My First Break: Dhyana". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
3. "Vidya Pradeep shares her experience with Jeevan". kalakkalcinema.com. 23 August 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
4. "Vidya Pradeep expects a lot from 'Athibar'". kalakkalcinema.com. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
5. "Upcoming actress Vidya Pradeep shares her experience working with Suriya in Pandiraj's Haiku". behindwoods.com. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
6. "Pasanga-2 (aka) Haiku review". behindwoods.com. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
7. "Pasanga 2 Movie Review & Rating: A Must-watch Flick For Children And Parents!". filmibeat.com. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
8. K. R. Manigandan (16 January 2017). "Tamil film to be remade in German". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
9. Mrinalini Sundari (16 January 2017). "Vidya Pradeep does a cameo in Achamindri". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
10. "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.
11. "Bangara... in the footsteps of Bangarada manushya". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
12. "Rising in revolt for a noble cause". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
13. "Bangara S/O Bangaradha Manushya Review; Chitraloka Rating 4/5 - chitraloka.com | Kannada Movie News, Reviews | Image". chitraloka.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
14. Jyothsna (12 September 2015). "Vidya Pradeep, a stem cell biologist and also an actress". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
15. menon, thinkal (2 October 2015). "The pretty scientist on big screen". Deccan Chronicle.
16. "Thadam Review {3.5/5}: Arun Vijay steals the show with dual roles" – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
17. "Thadam movie review: A thriller that doesn't disappoint". 1 March 2019.

External links

• Vidya Pradeep on IMDb