I am a daily wager's daughter and proud of it: Grace Antony

The actress who played Fahadh Faasil’s wife in Kumbalangi Nights had caught the eyes of both the audience and the critics for her incredible acting talents. Soon, everyone started talking about Grace Antony who had impressed as the meek Simmy. A few days later, Grace received two messages that brought tears of joy to her eyes. One of them was from Tamil super star Vijay Sethupathy and the other from none other than the super hit director Sathyan Anthikad. Both of them appreciated her incredible performance in the movie. Though Grace has lesser screen time in the latest movie Prathi Poovan Kozhi, she has made a mark with her scintillating performance.

Actress at young age

When Grace was studying in class 8, a teacher asked her what was her ambition. Grace didn’t have to think much to say that she wanted to become an actress. The entire class suddenly roared with laughter and her classmates mocked her for the next few days. She had to face the same mockery when she said that her father Antony was a laborer, especially in her dance class. “It was with pride that I said that my father was a laborer. I never felt ashamed about that. Even today, I can proudly say that my father is a laborer who works as a tiles worker,” says Grace.

Strong girl

The first dance class that she joined was not very good to Grace. Her fellow batch mates were from rich families. The teacher would make Grace stand in the back row. If she is a day or two late to pay the fee, then she would be insulted publicly and was made to stand outside the class. From outside the class, Grace watched and learned many dance items. She was admonished even on the days when she danced well. “They had actually ignited the fire within me. I wouldn’t have been what I am today had not for all those who had mocked me,” notes the actress.

Support

“My greatest dream was to become an actress. I learned Bhratnatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and folk dance thinking that I could easily get into the movies if I am selected the Kalathilakam. I was able to win second prize until the state level. But I never got the first prize. I used to perform wearing rented costumes. Sometime later, my mother told me that I should stop attending the dance classes as they couldn’t meet the expenses. I stopped after that,” says Grace.

Grace then trained with another dance teacher called Nisha Subash. The good hearted teacher even spent money from her own purse to train Grace. Grace joined the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit for the Bharatnatyam course to become an amazing teacher like Nisha. At the university, she experienced the same love and care from another teacher, Vishnu. Grace credits people like these for paving her way into the filmdom.

Big opportunities

“I had worked with great artists and have tried to be on par with them in each movie. I am someone who came struggling and had nothing. That is why I try to improve in each movie by working hard. I am offered a significant role in Halal Love Story directed by Sufdani fame Zakariya,” reveals the actress.

Emotional Grace

“I have seen my mother wiping her tears even while watching the funny scenes in my first two movies, at the theater. She was incredibly happy watching Kumbalangi Nights. I have also heard my father say good things about me to my elder sister Celin. All these make me emotional and bring tears to my eyes,” says Grace with a smile.