Unni Mary
Unni Mary (born 12 March 1962) is an Indian actress and film producer best known for her extensive work in Malayalam cinema, where she appeared in over 70 films from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, often portraying lead and supporting roles that highlighted her versatility in drama and romance genres.[1] She also ventured into Telugu, Tamil, Kannada (under the screen name Deepa), and Hindi films, contributing to her reputation as a multilingual performer in South Indian cinema.[2] Born in Ernakulam, Kerala, to parents Augustine Fernandez and Victoria, Unni Mary grew up in a family with artistic inclinations, as her mother owned a ballet troupe.[2] She received her primary education at St. Teresa's Convent School in Ernakulam and began training in classical dance at the age of three, performing with the troupe across India and abroad, which laid the foundation for her expressive on-screen presence.[1] Her brother, Joseph Martin, is also part of her family circle.[2] Unni Mary's acting career debuted in childhood with minor roles, but she gained prominence as a leading actress in the late 1970s, starring in notable films such as the Hindi films Amar Deep (1979) as Lata and Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1979), and the Malayalam film Aalkkoottathil Thaniye (1984) as Nalini, where her performances earned critical acclaim for emotional depth.[3] Other significant works include Meendum Kokila (1981) in Tamil as Kamini and various Kannada projects under her alias Deepa, showcasing her adaptability across regional industries.[3] In addition to acting, she ventured into production, further solidifying her contributions to Malayalam cinema.[1] On the personal front, Unni Mary married Rejoy, a professor at St. Albert’s College in Ernakulam, on 12 March 1982—her 20th birthday—and the couple has a son, Nirmal, who is married to Ranjini, with whom they share a grandson named Rihan.[1] After retiring from acting in 1999, she has maintained a low public profile while residing in Kerala.[1]Early life
Family background
Unni Mary was born on 12 March 1962 in Ernakulam, Kerala, India.[1] Her father was Augustine Fernandez, and her mother was Victoria.[4] She has one brother, Joseph Martin, contributing to a close-knit family environment in Ernakulam that emphasized cultural activities.[1] The family's dynamics revolved around artistic pursuits, with her mother's influence playing a central role in fostering creativity from an early age.[4] Victoria owned a ballet troupe, through which Unni Mary received her initial exposure to performing arts, beginning classical dance training at the age of three and participating in stage performances across India and abroad.[1] This familial immersion in the arts provided a foundational cultural context that shaped her early interests.[4]Education and early training
Unni Mary attended St. Teresa's Convent School in Ernakulam for her primary education.[5] From the age of three, she commenced formal training in classical dance, laying the groundwork for her artistic development.[5] As a young child, she frequently performed alongside her mother's ballet troupe, gaining practical experience on stage in a supportive familial environment.[5] This early immersion in dance not only honed her technical skills but also ignited a profound passion for the performing arts, influencing her trajectory toward a career in cinema.[5]Career
Debut as child artist
Unni Mary's first screen appearance came in 1969 with the Malayalam film Madhavi, where she portrayed the character of Rajkumari Madhavi R. Bhupathi at the age of seven.[6] This minor role marked her initial foray into cinema during a period when Malayalam films often featured young talents in supporting capacities within family-oriented narratives. Her formal debut as a child artist occurred in 1971 with Navavadhu, directed by P. Bhaskaran, in which she appeared in a supporting child role alongside leads Prem Nazir and Sharada.[7] The film, released on April 9, explored themes of marital harmony, providing Unni Mary an early platform to showcase her expressive abilities in a dramatic context. Later that year, she took on the role of Mary in Gangasangamam, another child artist part in a film addressing social and familial conflicts, further establishing her presence in the industry. Throughout the 1970s, Unni Mary continued securing child roles in Malayalam cinema, appearing in films such as Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972) and Devi Kanyakumari (1974), often as young characters in mythological and social dramas that highlighted innocence and vulnerability. These opportunities allowed her to build experience amid the era's burgeoning parallel cinema movement, where child performers contributed to narratives challenging traditional norms. Her background in classical dance, begun at age three under her mother's ballet troupe, briefly aided her on-screen poise in these performances.[8]Rise in Malayalam cinema
Unni Mary gained prominence as a leading actress in the late 1970s, starring in notable films such as Amar Deep (1979) as Lata and Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1979).[3] Following her initial appearances as a child artist in the 1970s, she transitioned into supporting and occasional lead roles in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s, marking a significant phase of professional growth.[9] This shift allowed her to explore diverse characters, often portraying relatable family figures that added depth to ensemble casts in commercially successful films. Her work during this period contributed to her establishing a steady presence in the industry, with roles that highlighted her versatility beyond juvenile parts. A notable performance came in Aalkkoottathil Thaniye (1984) as Nalini, earning critical acclaim for emotional depth.[3] A notable performance came in the 1988 comedy Chithram, directed by Priyadarshan, where she played the sister of the character portrayed by Sreenivasan, bringing humor and warmth to the family dynamics central to the film's narrative.[10] The movie, a blockbuster that ran for over 400 days in theaters, showcased her ability to support lead actors like Mohanlal and Ranjini while enhancing the film's light-hearted tone. Similarly, in the 1991 family comedy Godfather, also directed by Priyadarshan, Unni Mary portrayed Omana, the wife of Hemachandran (played by Innocent), delivering a grounded portrayal that complemented the ensemble's chaotic humor and helped the film achieve record-breaking theatrical runs.[11] Spanning from the early 1970s to 1999, Unni Mary's career in Malayalam cinema encompassed approximately 90 films, with the majority in supporting capacities that solidified her as a reliable character actress. She was frequently typecast in roles such as sisters, wives, and household members, a common trope in 1980s Malayalam cinema, where her natural performances received appreciation for authenticity and emotional nuance, though she rarely headlined projects. In addition to acting, she ventured into production, further solidifying her contributions to Malayalam cinema.[8] This phase underscored her contributions to the genre's family-oriented and comedic storytelling, earning her enduring recognition among audiences for memorable secondary characters.Roles in other languages
Unni Mary ventured into non-Malayalam cinema during the 1980s, adopting the screen name Deepa to align with the conventions of those industries. This shift allowed her to explore diverse roles while leveraging her established presence from Malayalam films, marking a significant expansion in her career.[3] In Tamil cinema, she took on over 30 roles, adapting to the fast-paced narrative style and song-dance sequences prevalent in the industry. A standout performance was as Pattu Teacher in Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), where her portrayal of the comedic yet endearing educator contributed to the film's commercial success and her growing popularity in Tamil audiences. Challenges included mastering Tamil dialogue and synchronizing with the region's emphasis on glamour-oriented characters, which differed from the more character-driven parts in Malayalam cinema.[12] Her Telugu filmography encompassed more than 30 projects, where she navigated the emphasis on family dramas and rural settings. A key highlight was her role as Subbulu in Swathi Muthyam (1986), a National Film Award-winning film, in which she depicted a resilient washerwoman, earning praise for her nuanced emotional depth. Adapting to Telugu presented linguistic hurdles, as she reportedly struggled with pronunciation and fluency early on, requiring intensive preparation for authenticity.[13] Unni Mary also appeared in over 10 Kannada films and 2 Hindi films under the Deepa moniker, often in supporting roles that highlighted her versatility across regional sensibilities. These ventures involved adjusting to varied production scales and cultural nuances, such as the Hindi industry's focus on broader appeal and the Kannada sector's blend of commercial and artistic elements, further broadening her impact in South Indian cinema.[3]Retirement
Unni Mary retired from acting after completing her final film roles in 1999, including Varum Varathirikilla, which concluded her over three-decade-long career spanning Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. This withdrawal came at a time when she had established herself as a prominent figure in South Indian films, but she opted not to pursue further opportunities in the industry.[3] Since her retirement, Unni Mary has not been involved in any verified acting, production, or other media projects, despite occasional rumors of potential comebacks.[3] She has maintained a notably low public profile, avoiding interviews and public appearances related to her film career. As of 2025, she resides privately in Kerala and shows no indication of returning to the entertainment field.[3]Personal life
Marriage
Unni Mary married Rejoy, a professor at St. Albert's College in Ernakulam, on 12 March 1982.[14][15] This date marked her 20th birthday, and the union occurred amid a traditional ceremony captured in archival photographs from the era.[16] The marriage coincided with the peak of her acting career in the early 1980s, a period when she featured prominently in multiple Malayalam films, including Ente Mohangal Poovaninju and Sree Ayyappanum Vavarum.[17] Post-marriage, the couple established their initial family life in Ernakulam, where Rejoy pursued his academic profession, while Unni Mary balanced her ongoing commitments in the film industry during the early years of their union.[14][18]Family
Unni Mary and her husband Rejoy welcomed one son, Nirmal Rejoy, following their marriage in 1982.[2]Nirmal Rejoy is married to Ranjini, and the couple has a son named Rihan, who is Unni Mary's grandson.[14][2]
The family resides in Kerala, where Unni Mary has focused on her roles as a mother and grandmother in the years following her retirement from acting.[2][14]
Filmography
Malayalam films
Unni Mary appeared in over 90 Malayalam films between 1971 and 1999, beginning her career as a child artist and later taking on supporting roles as an adult actress. The following is a chronological list of her known Malayalam films, with roles noted where available; child roles are indicated for her early career (1971–1977). This list is compiled from film databases and is not exhaustive, with some entries lacking specific role details.[19][3][8]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Sree Guruvayoorappan | Child artist | Child role[9] |
| 1974 | Devi Kanyakumari | Child artist | Child role[20] |
| 1975 | Picnic | Radha | Child role[21] |
| 1976 | Ammini Ammavum Makan Kunjum | Child artist | Child role[19] |
| 1977 | Aparaadhi | Child artist | Child role[8] |
| 1978 | Adimakachampavi | Supporting role | Adult debut[9] |
| 1978 | Padmatheertham | Lathika | Adult role[3] |
| 1978 | Nivedyam | Rajani | Adult role[19] |
| 1979 | Amar Deep | Indhu | Adult role[3] |
| 1979 | Jeevitham Oru Gaanam | Prameela | Adult role[20] |
| 1980 | Lalanakupalayam | Supporting role | Adult role[8] |
| 1981 | Sreeman Sreemathi | Supporting role | Adult role[9] |
| 1982 | Padayottam | Supporting role | Adult role[21] |
| 1983 | Visa | Supporting role | Adult role[19] |
| 1984 | Aalkkoottathil Thaniye | Nalini | Adult role[3] |
| 1985 | Azhiyatha Bandhangal | Supporting role | Adult role[20] |
| 1986 | Kariyilakkattu Pole | Mariyamma | Adult role[21] |
| 1986 | Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil | Devaki | Adult role[8] |
| 1986 | Snehamulla Simham | Sudha | Adult role[8] |
| 1987 | Nombarathi Poovu | Girly | Adult role[22] |
| 1988 | Chithram | Bhaskaran's sister | Adult role[21] |
| 1988 | Oohakachavadam | Supporting role | Adult role[22] |
| 1990 | Shubhayathra | Raju Mathew's wife | Adult role[9] |
| 1990 | Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum | Supporting role | Adult role[9] |
| 1991 | Godfather | Supporting role | Adult role[21] |
| 1991 | Keli | Supporting role | Adult role[22] |
| 1991 | Georgootty C/o Georgootty | Supporting role | Adult role[22] |
| 1992 | Utsavamelam | Supporting role | Adult role[22] |
Tamil films
Unni Mary entered Tamil cinema using the screen name Deepa, appearing in supporting roles during the 1980s that showcased her versatility in comedic and dramatic contexts. Her performances contributed to the vibrant Tamil film industry of the era, often alongside prominent actors like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. One of her most recognized roles was as the spirited Pattu Teacher in the 1983 blockbuster Mundhanai Mudichu, a K. Bhagyaraj directorial that highlighted rural life and humor. The following table lists her verified Tamil film appearances from the 1980s, organized chronologically:| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Johnny | Bhama |
| 1980 | Ullasa Paravaigal | (as Deepa) |
| 1981 | Meendum Kokila | Kamini |
| 1983 | Mundhanai Mudichu | Pattu |
Telugu films
Unni Mary, adopting the screen name Deepa for her Telugu cinema ventures, contributed to the industry through a series of supporting roles spanning the 1970s and 1980s. These appearances often highlighted her versatility in portraying nuanced character parts, complementing ensemble casts in family dramas and social narratives. A standout collaboration came with director K. Viswanath in the National Film Award-winning Swathi Muthyam (1986), where she played Subbulu opposite Kamal Haasan, earning praise for her emotive depth in a film that explored themes of innocence and societal norms.[26] Her Telugu filmography includes over a dozen titles, with representative examples listed below in chronological order. These selections emphasize key works where her roles added significant emotional layers.| Year | Title | Role | Notes/Collaboration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Khaidi Kalidasu | Supporting role | Debut Telugu film; action drama starring Krishna.[27] |
| 1986 | Swathi Muthyam | Subbulu | Seminal social drama; collaboration with K. Viswanath and Kamal Haasan; film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.[28] |
| 1987 | Dabbevariki Chedu | Supporting role | Comedy-drama starring Rajendra Prasad.[29] |