Monday, September 6, 2010

Sudha Chandran – Symbol of Will Power

Despite amputation of one leg, Sudha Chandran has established herself in the film line and got a reputation as an ace dancer and actor.
In fact, Sudha’s triumph over travesty is part of the school syllabus in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Dance appears to be her passion, so much so that she has extablished a dance academy in Mumbai, ‘Sudha Chandran Academy of Dance’, which has branches all over Mumbai and Pune. Ravikumar Dang, Sudha’s husband is the executive director of the school.
The actress achieved much more fame and recognition by venturing into the world of films and television.
Over Dress-up
Over dressed is the image that the mention of Sudha Chandran evokes, thanks to the many Hindi serials produced by Ekta Kapoo she has appeared in.She is considered to be one of the more flamboyant stars on Indian television, known for her avant garden sarees, chunk jewellery and designer bindis.
In the Ekta Kapoor produced serial, Kaahin Kissii Roz, she portrayed the character called “Ramola Sikand”(with over dress-up) which became an instant hit.
Ditto on Sun TV’s ‘Kalasam’ in which she played the role of the antagonist Chandramathi and had Ramya Krishnan in the lead role.
She laughs at the inevitable question about her over dressing, “That is just for the serials. It is about being different; one gets noticed and that is important in this business.” The almost foot long earrings, the creativity defying blouses and the in-your-face make up is all for effect”
Inspiration
Sudha has been a real-life inspiration for many what with her fortitude to continue dancing despite having to amputate her right leg following an accident. Sudha Chandran subsequently overcame her disability with the help of a prosthetic ‘Jaipur foot’, becoming one of the most highly acclaimed dancers of the Indian subcontinent.
She is very proud of the fact that she has been able to make a mark, and that she has been able to be an inspiration to people like her. “I was a guest at an event where I saw dancers without two legs dancing on artificial legs,” says Sudha.
She says when she danced with the help of her Jaipur foot she had told the doctors there that one Sudha Chandran was not enough there should be 25 more Sudha Chandrans. “They put a performance with 50 amputees and said, ‘you asked for 25 we are giving you 50′. That was such a wonderful moment.”
She has been living with the Jaipur foot for the last 25 years and it is like another part of her, “I replace it depending on the wear and tear.”
Being a judge in Malayalam TV Reality Show
The actor-dancer is a permanent jury member in Amrita TV’s dance reality show ‘Super Dancer Junior-2,’ besides veteran choreographer Kala Master.
Talking about the reality show, Sudha said, “Often when parents come to register their children at my dance school (Sudha Chandran Academy of Dance) the first question they ask is ‘Can you get my son/daughter on a reality show?’ And that’s even before I get a chance to see the kid dance. I mean, how obtuse is that!” exclaims Sudha.
Future Projects
I will be soon seen in the Tamil film Jayam Ravi starred ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’ directed by Ameer. Also I would love to act in more Malayalam films. I am such a big fan of Malayalam cinema and love watching Mohanlal , Mammooty, and Jayaram too.

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