Vandana Supriya’s initiation into the world of dance happened at the age of seven. The Odissi dancer based in Bengaluru studied up in a non-conventional school where learning was not based on books or theory but on practical experience in the midst of nature, dance and songs. Later on, she boarded a bus that took her to Nrityagram, the dance gurukul based in Bengaluru that further honed her talent and finally led her to Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography before she finally started her own dance school — Anandi School of Dance. If you have inferred that Vandana is here in Kerala to give a dance performance, that is not the case.

She is here to be a part of the Malayalam film Havis directed by Murali Krishna. This is not Vandana’s maiden turn in front of the camera; she has acted in some short films and a feature film in Kannada. Vandana elaborates, “I have always loved cinema and have nursed an ambition to act. Dance is my passion which will always be there, but acting is my interest. I feel that through acting one can send any message to people fast, but in dance, it might take a while.” She admits that saying ‘yes’ to Havis was not on a sudden impulse. She plays a Brahmin girl Shivakami in the film. She clarifies, “I waited for years for a good script to come my way. I also wanted to work with a good team I was comfortable with. Also, since I am a dancer, I wanted my passion also to be a part of my acting.”

Vandana was informed of this role by Sreedevi, late actor Monisha’s mother. Vandana adds, “I have always been fascinated with Malayalam movies and though I am a Kannadiga, I understand Malayalam.” Though very surprising, she hastens to explain, “I studied in a non- formal school and every year, we had this exchange programme where I used to visit Kanavu in Wayanad and stayed there for three months. That is how I picked up the language and fell in love with Malayalam movies. I find most of the movies very artistic; the actors are amazing.”

Vandana reveals that it had been her dream to act in a Malayalam movie and that she could not be happier landing this role.   Vanadana is also an activist though she does want the label of a feminist. An Odissi dancer with a flair for contemporary style, she is busy with stage performances and is also a part of the Adi Shakti Theatre Group.