From earning ₹35 per play to silver screen: Pauly Valsan completes 50 years in acting

Vypin: Affectionately called Pauly chechi (elder sister) by the people of Vypin, Paulie Valsan marks 50 glorious years in the world of acting. Her professional theatre journey began in 1975 with the play ‘Fundamental’. But even before that, as a young girl from Ochanthuruth’s Infant Jesus School, she had already captured the attention of theatre lovers in Kurisingal through solo performances. Her first stage performance was in the churchyard of St George’s Church, Vadhel.

Starting her career in the theatre school of the legendary P J Antony, Pauly went on to act in hundreds of plays alongside noted theatre groups led by Rajan P Dev, Xavier Pulppatt, Kuyilan, Alumoodan and Salim Kumar. Her first remuneration was just ₹35 per play. By the time she bid farewell to theatre in 2012, it had reached ₹1,000 per performance.

She made her film debut in 2008 with the Mammootty-starrer ‘Annan Thampi’. For four years, she juggled both stage and screen, before film commitments took full priority. In 2017, she won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in ‘Ee MaYau’ and ‘Ottamuri Velicham’. In 2022, she received the State Award for Best Dubbing Artist for voicing the character played by Devi Varma in ‘Saudi Vellakka’.

From ‘Guppy’ and ‘Annayum Rasoolum’ to ‘Iyobinte Pusthakam’ and ‘Luca’, Pauly has played memorable roles in 98 films to date. As she completes 50 years in acting, her hometown prepares to honour her. A felicitation ceremony will be held at 5 pm on Sunday near Kurisingal Church at Ochanthuruth.

Scriptwriter Benny P Nayarambalam, Sippy Pallippuram and other prominent personalities from the arts and cultural spheres will attend. The event is organised by Jayadarshan Musical Academy and various local cultural groups.

Pauly’s husband Valsan, who passed away in 2021, was active in amateur theatre, writing songs and performing. They have two sons – Yesudas and Adarsh.