{{Short description|Indian actress}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Unni Mary | image = | birth_name = Unni Mary | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1962|03|12}} | birth_place = [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] | death_place = | other_names = Deepa | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1969–1992 | spouse = {{marriage|Rejoy|1982}} | children = 1 | parents = Augustine Fernandes<br/>Victoria }}
'''Unni Mary''' (born 12 March 1962) is an Indian actress and producer who works mainly in [[Malayalam film]]s. She has also worked in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Hindi]] and [[Kannada]] films, where she used the screen name ''Deepa''. Her career spanned from 1969 to 1992, during which she established a dual cinematic identity: as "Unni Mary," the relatable girl-next-door in Malayalam cinema, and as "Deepa," a symbol of modern style and glamour in Tamil and Telugu cinema.<ref name="samayam">{{Cite web |last=Babu |first=Bibin |date=12 March 2021 |title=ഉണ്ണിമേരിക്ക് 59 വയസ്സ്; മുൻ തെന്നിന്ത്യൻ താരസുന്ദരി ഇപ്പോൾ എവിടെയാണ്? |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/celebrity-news/yesteryear-actress-unni-mary-aka-deepa-turns-59/articleshow/81460402.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230323045338/https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/celebrity-news/yesteryear-actress-unni-mary-aka-deepa-turns-59/articleshow/81460402.cms |archive-date=2023-03-23 |access-date=21 August 2021 |website=[[Samayam]] |language=Malayalam}}</ref>
She is noted for her performances in films such as ''[[Picnic (1975 film)|Picnic]]'', ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'', ''[[Meendum Kokila]]'', and ''[[Godfather (1991 film)|Godfather]]''.
==Early life== Unnimary was born 12 March 1962 to Augustine Fernandes and Victoria in [[Ernakulam]].<ref name="samayam" /> She comes from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts; her mother owned and managed a professional ballet troupe that performed on stages across [[India]] and abroad. Consequently, she began rigorous training in classical dance at the age of three.
She had her primary education from St. Teresa's Convent School, [[Ernakulam]]. However, her professional acting career began while she was still a primary school student. She has a brother, Joseph Martin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal |url=http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=2&no_of_displayed_rows=39&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter= |access-date=3 April 2019 |website=Cinidiary.com |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518051319/http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=2&no_of_displayed_rows=39&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter= |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Career== ===1969–1978: Early years and Malayalam breakthrough=== Unni Mary debuted as a child artist in 1969 in the film ''[[Navavadhu]]'' at the age of seven. She was credited simply as "Mary" in her early works like ''[[Gangasangamam]]'' (1971). Her major transition from child artist to supporting actress occurred with the 1975 film ''[[Picnic (1975 film)|Picnic]]'', directed by [[J. Sasikumar]], where she played the character Radha alongside [[Prem Nazir]]. The film's success established her visibility in mainstream Malayalam cinema.
Throughout the late 1970s, she appeared in numerous Malayalam films, frequently sharing screen space with actors like [[Prem Nazir]] and [[Jayan]]. Notable films from this period include the period drama ''[[Kannappanunni]]'' (1977) and ''[[Thacholi Ambu]]'' (1978), the first CinemaScope film in Malayalam, where she played the role of Kanni.
===1979–1987: The "Deepa" Phenomenon=== While maintaining her career in Kerala, she adopted the screen name '''Deepa''' for the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi industries. This rebranding accompanied a shift in her screen persona towards more modern, glamorous roles, coinciding with the "Tamil New Wave" of the late 1970s.
Her breakthrough in Tamil came with ''[[Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari]]'' (1979). She gained critical acclaim and cult status for her role as Bhama in [[J. Mahendran]]'s ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'', starring alongside [[Rajinikanth]]. In 1981, she replaced actress [[Rekha]] in the film ''[[Meendum Kokila]]'', playing the role of a film star named Kamini opposite [[Kamal Haasan]], a performance that proved her capability in comedy. She also played the iconic role of "Pattu Teacher" in [[K. Bhagyaraj]]'s blockbuster ''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]'' (1983).
In Telugu cinema, she acted in [[K. Viswanath]]'s masterpiece ''[[Swathi Muthyam]]'' (1986), which was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. In Kannada, she starred opposite [[Dr. Rajkumar]] in ''[[Dhruva Thare]]'' (1985).
===1988–1992: Character roles and production=== In the late 1980s, Unni Mary transitioned into strong supporting and character roles in Malayalam cinema. She is well remembered for her role as Omana in the comedy cult classic ''[[Godfather (1991 film)|Godfather]]'' and for her appearance in the blockbuster ''[[Chithram]]'' (1988) as the protagonist's sister.
In 1985, she ventured into film production, producing and starring in the Malayalam film ''[[Kaattu Rani (1985 film)|Kattu Rani]]''. She retired from the film industry in 1992 to focus on her family life.
==Personal life== She married Rejoy, a professor at [[St. Albert's College|St. Albert's College, Ernakulam]] on 12 March 1982, and they have a son, Nirmal. Their son Nirmal is married to Ranjini and they have a son, Rihan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2020 |title=Unni Mary to Suchitra Murali: 7 Malayalam actresses who have disappeared |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/entertainment/unni-mary-to-suchitra-murali-7-malayalam-actresses-who-have-disappeared-rcb-qfm6tj |access-date=21 August 2021 |website=Asianet}}</ref>
===Identity confusion=== Due to her screen name "Deepa" and her withdrawal from public life, she is frequently confused in digital archives with other actresses. She is unrelated to the Tamil actress [[Mohini (Tamil actress)|Mohini]] (who later became an evangelist), the Kannada actress [[Deepa Sannidhi]], or the supporting actress [[Deepa Shankar]]. Unni Mary has remained a private citizen in Ernakulam since her retirement in 1992.
== Filmography == ===Malayalam=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 1971 | ''[[Navavadhu]]'' | | Child Artist |- | ''[[Gangasangamam]]'' | Mary |Child Artist |- | 1972 | ''[[Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972 film)|Sree Guruvayoorappan]]'' | | |- | 1974 | ''[[Devi Kanyakumari]]'' | | |- | rowspan="4" |1975 | ''[[Picnic (1975 film)|Picnic]]'' | Radha | |- | ''[[Swami Ayappan]]'' | | |- | ''[[Thomasleeha]]'' | | |- | ''[[Ashtami Rohini]]'' | | |- | rowspan="7" | 1976 | ''[[Chottanikkarayamma]]'' | | |- | ''[[Madhuram Thirumadhuram]]'' |Malini | |- | ''[[Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere]]'' | Roshini | |- | ''[[Mallanum Mathenum]]'' | | |- | ''[[Manasaveena]]'' | | |- | ''[[Chennay Valarthiya Kutti]]'' | | |- | ''[[Amba Ambika Ambalika]]'' |Ambalika | |- | rowspan="10" | 1977 | ''[[Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana]]'' |Urmila | |- | ''[[Kannapanunni]]'' | Thulasi | |- | ''[[Poojakedukkatha Pookkal]]'' |Indira | |- | ''[[Madura Swapnam]]'' | | |- | ''[[Pattalam Janaki]]'' | | |- | ''[[Dheerasameere Yamunaatheere]]'' | | |- | ''[[Aanandam Paramaanandam]]'' | Raji | |- | ''[[Yatheem]]'' |Shakkeela | |- | ''[[Minimol]]'' |Nirmala | |- | ''[[Penpuli]]'' | | |- | rowspan="16" | 1978 | ''[[Thacholi Ambu]]'' | Kanni | |- | ''[[Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham]]'' | Ambili | |- | ''[[Aval Vishosthyayirunnu]]'' | Seema | |- | ''[[Pavadakkari]]'' | | |- | ''[[Soothrakkari]]'' | | |- | ''[[Shatrusamharam]]'' | | |- | ''[[Black Belt (1978 film)|Black Belt]]'' | | |- | ''[[Chakrayudham]]'' | | |- | ''[[Anakalari]]'' | | |- | ''[[Ashokavanam]]'' | | |- | ''[[Puthariyankam]]'' | | |- | ''[[Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil]]'' |Geetha | |- | ''[[Beena (film)|Beena]]'' | | |- | ''[[Padmatheertham]]'' |Lathika | |- | ''[[Nivedyam (1978 film)|Nivedyam]]'' | Rajani | |- | ''[[Kadathanattu Makkam]]'' | | |- | rowspan="5" | 1979 | ''[[Jeevitham Oru Gaanam]]'' |Prameela | |- | ''[[Ponnil Kulicha Rathri]]'' | | |- | ''[[Mochanam]]'' |Meera | |- | ''[[Hridayathinte Nirangal]]'' | | |- | ''[[Valeduthavan Valal]]'' | | |- | rowspan="2" | 1980 | ''[[Palattu Kunjikannan]]'' | Ponni | |- | ''[[Pappu (film)|Pappu]]'' |Herself | |- | 1981 | ''[[Sanchari]]'' |Sumuki | |- | rowspan="5" | 1982 | ''[[Nagamadathu Thamburatti]]'' | Naga Queen | |- | ''[[Sree Ayappanum Vavarum]]'' |Pandhalam Maharani | |- | ''[[Bheeman]]'' | | |- | ''[[Jambulingam]]'' | Nun | |- | ''[[Innalenkil Nale]]'' |Susheela | |- | rowspan="8" | 1983 | ''[[Belt Mathai]]'' |Rani | |- | ''[[Ente Kadha]]'' |Aparna | |- | ''[[Eenam]]'' | | |- |''[[Oru Mukham Pala Mukham]]'' |Sarada | |- | ''[[Mahabali]]'' | Nandini | |- | ''[[Kattaruvi]]'' | Maala | |- | ''[[Vaashi]]'' | | |- | ''[[Guru Dakshina (1983 film)|Guru Dakshina]]'' | | |- | rowspan="15" | 1984 | ''[[Unaroo]]'' |Sarah | |- | ''[[Sandhya Mayangum Neram]]'' | Rohini | |- | ''[[Oru Kochu Swapnam]]'' | Sofia | |- | ''[[April-18]]'' |Rajamma | |- | ''[[Thacholi Thankappan]]'' |Subaida | |- | ''[[Kanamarayathu]]'' |Annie | |- | ''[[Ente Upasana]]'' | Lekha | |- | ''[[Thathamme Poocha Poocha]]'' |Shyama | |- | ''[[Poomadathe Pennu]]'' |Nalini | |- | ''[[Makale Mappu Tharu]]'' |Devaki | |- | ''Jeevitham'' |Sudha | |- | ''[[Koottinilam Kili]]'' |Nalini | |- | ''[[Manithali]]'' |Sajna | |- | ''[[Krishna Guruvayoorappa]]'' | Savithri | |- | ''[[Aalkkoottathil Thaniye]]'' |Nalini | |- | rowspan="10" | 1985 | ''[[Pattham Udayam]]'' | Sarada | |- | ''[[Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam]]'' |Bindu | |- | ''[[Nerariyum Nerathu]]'' |Thankamani | |- | ''[[Aa Neram Alpam Dooram]]'' | Rani | |- | ''[[Katturani]]'' | | Also Producer |- | ''[[Puli Varunne Puli]]'' |Suhasini | |- | ''[[Manakkale Thatha]]'' |Jolly | |- | ''[[Arodum Parayaruthu]]'' |Ambika | |- | ''[[Shathru (1985 film)|Shatru]]'' |Cicily | |- | ''[[Oru Sandesham Koodi]]'' |Rajani | |- | rowspan="8" | 1986 | ''[[Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil]]'' | Devaki | |- | ''[[Pappan Priyappetta Pappan]]'' |Devdas's Wife | |- | ''[[Niramulla Raavukal]]'' |Call girl | |- | ''[[Snehamulla Simham]]'' |Sudha
| |- | ''[[Kariyilakattu Pole]]'' |Bhaginisevamayi / Parvathi
| |- | ''[[Sakhavu (1986 film)|Sakhavu]]'' | | |- | ''[[Onnu Randu Moonnu]]'' |Mini | |- | ''[[Rareeram]]'' |Pathmavathi
| |- | rowspan="2" | 1987 | ''[[Dheeran]]'' | | |- | ''[[Nombarathipoovu]]'' |Joycee | |- | rowspan="3" | 1988 | ''[[Chithram]]'' |Bhaskaran's sister | |- | ''[[Ambalakara Panjayath]]'' | | |- |''[[Oohakachavadam]]'' |Meera | |- | rowspan="3" | 1989 | ''[[Ammavanu Pattiya Amali]]'' | Bhargavi | |- | ''Varum Varathikkilla'' | | |- | ''Kaliyuga Seetha'' | | |- | rowspan="4" | 1990 | ''[[Shubhayathra]]'' | | |- | ''[[Ammayude Swantham Kunju Mary]]/Kunjikuruvi'' |Daisy | |- | ''[[Arhatha]]'' |Ammini | |- | ''Urvashi'' | | |- | rowspan="9" | 1991 | ''[[Georgootty C/O Georgootty]] '' |Maria | |- | ''[[Godfather (1991 film)|Godfather]]'' |Omana | |- | ''[[Keli (film)|Keli]]'' | Mrs. Menon | |- | ''[[Kizhakkunarum Pakshi]]'' |Girija | |- | ''[[Kalari (1991 film)|Kalari]]'' |Laila | |- | ''[[Kadijool Kalyanam]]'' |Rajamma | |- |''[[Nagarathil Samsara Vishayam]]'' |Subhashini | |- |''[[Aakasha Kottayile Sultan]]'' |Pappy's sister | |- |''[[Kalamorukkam]]'' |Bird | |- | rowspan="4" | 1992 | ''Grihaprevesam'' |Padmavati | |- | ''[[Aparatha]]'' | Nalini | |- | ''[[Ulsavamelam]]'' |Sreedevi | |- | ''[[Ennodishtam Koodamo]]'' |Arathi's aunt | |- |}
===Tamil=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 1975 | ''[[Andharangam]]'' |Deepa | |- |''[[Swami Ayyappan (1975 film)|Swami Ayyappan]]'' |Maalikapurathamma | |- | 1978 | ''[[Mudi Sooda Mannan]]'' | Pratima | |- | rowspan="4" | 1979 | ''[[Neeya?]]'' | Deepa | |- | ''[[Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari]]'' | Nandini | |- | ''[[Nallathoru Kudumbam]]'' | | |- | ''[[Manthoppu Kiliye]]'' | Sarada | |- | rowspan="7" | 1980 | ''[[Ullasa Paravaigal]]'' | | |- | ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'' |Bhama | |- | ''Vedanai Thediya Maan'' | | |- | ''Theru Vilakku'' | | |- | ''Valli Mayil'' | | |- | ''Veli Thandiya Velladu'' | | |- | ''[[Devaraj–Mohan|Ilayarajavin Rasikai]]'' | Kavitha | |- | rowspan="4" | 1981 | ''[[Meendum Kokila]]'' | Kamini | |- | ''[[Kannadi]]'' | | |- | ''Vaa Intha Pakkam'' | | |- | ''Kadhal Kadhal Kadhal'' | Vaani | |- | 1983 | ''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]'' | Pattu Teacher | |- | rowspan="4" | 1984 | ''Anni'' | | |- | ''Kuzhandhai Yesu'' | | |- | ''Neram Nalla Neram'' | | |- | ''[[Vaazhkai (1984 film)|Vazhkai]]'' |Sumathi | |- | rowspan="3" | 1985 | ''Marma Manithan'' | | |- | ''Raja Yuvaraja'' | Anitha | |- | ''[[Santhosha Kanavukal]]'' | Gowri | |- | rowspan="3" | 1986 | ''[[Sippikkul Muthu]]'' |Subbu | |- | ''[[Murattu Karangal]]'' | | |- | ''[[Naanum Oru Thozhilali]]'' | | |- | rowspan="3" | 1987 | ''Neram Nalla Irikku'' | | |- | ''Vaazhga Valarga'' | Nandini | |- | ''[[Koottu Puzhukkal]]'' | | |- | 1988 | ''Kalyana Paravaigal'' | | |- | 1990 | ''[[Amman Kovil Thiruvizha]]'' | | |- | 1992 | ''[[Pattathu Raani]]'' | | |}
===Telugu=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1976 | ''[[America Ammayi (film)|America Ammayi]]'' |Sudha | |- | rowspan="5" |1977 |''Prema Lekhalu'' | | |- |''Andame Anandam'' | | |- |''Khaidi Kalidasu'' | Sujatha | |- |''[[Daana Veera Soora Karna|Dana Veera Soora Karna]]'' |Uttara | |- |''[[Panthulamma]]'' | | |- | rowspan="3" |1978 |''Chal Mohana Ranga'' | | |- |''Dudu Basavanna'' |Malli | |- |''Nindu Manishi'' |Sanja | |- | rowspan="4" |1979 | ''[[Akbar Salim Anarkali|Akbar Saleem Anarkali]]'' |Anarkali | |- | ''[[Rangoon Rowdy]]'' |Deepa | |- |''Dasa Thirigindi'' | | |- |''Andame Anandam'' | | |- | rowspan="9" |1980 | ''Sri Vinayaka Vijayam'' | | |- | ''Nagamalli'' | | |- | ''Podarillu'' | | |- | ''O Inti Bhagotham'' | | |- | ''[[Thathayya Premaleelalu]]'' | Savitha | |- | ''Triloka Sundari'' | | |- | ''Kaliyuga Ravanasurudu'' | | |- | ''O Inti Bhagotham'' | | |- | ''Pilla Zamindar'' | | |- | 1981 | ''Deepaaradhana'' | | |- | rowspan="2" | 1982 | ''Kothaneeru'' | | |- | ''Ramayanamlo Pidakala Veta'' | | |- | 1983 | ''Raju Rani Jackie'' |Geetha | |- | 1984 | ''Kutumba Gauravam'' | | |- | rowspan="5" | 1985 | ''[[Aatmabalam]]'' |Pankajavalli / Pinky | |- | ''[[Ladies Tailor (1985 film)|Ladies Tailor]]'' |Nurse Daya | |- | ''[[Kongumudi telugu movie|Kongumudi]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kongumudi (1985) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ZWU |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> |Geetha | |- |''[[Darja Donga]]'' |Shyamala | |- | ''[[Surya Chandra]]'' |Deepthi | |- | rowspan="3" | 1986 | ''[[Swathi Muthyam]]'' | Subbulu | |- | ''Chaitanyam'' | | |- | ''Aakrandana'' | Devudamma | |- | rowspan="4" | 1987 | ''[[Dabbevariki Chedu]]'' | Jayasila | |- | ''[[Thandri Kodukula Challenge]] '' | Janaki | |- |[[Naanum Oru Thozhilali|''Andarikante Ghanudu'']] | |Special appearance |- | ''[[Ramu (1987 film)|Ramu]]'' | Girja | |- | 1990 | ''Kaliyuga Viswamithra'' | | |}
===Kannada=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 1979 |''[[Vijay Vikram]]'' | Lata | |- |''[[Naniruvude Ninagagi]]'' | Shobha | |- | 1983 |''[[Ibbani Karagithu]]'' |Swetha | |- | rowspan="5" | 1985 | ''Kadina raaja'' | Usha | |- | ''[[Dhruva Thare]]'' | Sarala | |- | ''Thaayi kanasu '' | | |- | ''Sathi Sakkubai'' | | |- |''Guru Jagatguru'' | Hema | |}
===Hindi=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |- | 1979 |''[[Amar Deep (1979 film)|Amar Deep]]'' | Lata | |- | 1984 |''Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye'' | | |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0214348}} * [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Unnimary&limit=95 Unnimary at MSI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043710/http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Unnimary&limit=95 |date=4 March 2016 }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mary, Unni}} [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:Indian film actresses]] [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]] [[Category:Actresses from Kochi]] [[Category:Indian women film producers]] [[Category:Film producers from Kochi]] [[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]] [[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]] [[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]] [[Category:Businesswomen from Kerala]] [[Category:St. Teresa's College alumni]] [[Category:1962 births]]