Popular Tamil actor and television host Divyadarshini, fondly known as DD, shared that true masculinity isn't about bulging biceps, daring bike stunts, or cinematic fight scenes, but about showing respect, empathy, and support for the women in one’s life.

In conversation with Pearle Maaney, DD opened up about her views on modern masculinity, her much-loved show ‘Koffee with DD’, working with Tovino Thomas and more.

“Why does anyone love anyone? If you ask the question, there's no real answer to it. You just love them. That’s it. But at times it's very overwhelming. Sometimes I used to think to myself... why do they love me? I think it's a blessing because all I do is my job.”

Koffee with DD 

Talking about her chat show ‘Koffee with DD’, she shared that the show wasn’t meant to be a full series at all.

“It was already a successful show. Previous hosts were actors, singers who were popular within the industry. I was purely from a small screen. I was not in films. It was my boss who suggested this. Initially, there was some hesitation since the show had always featured well-known faces. So they decided to shoot one episode as a trial. If it worked, I’d get the show; if not, they’d air it as a Vinayak Chaturthi special. I was eagerly waiting for the promo to find out whether I’d made it. Thankfully, it turned out well, and I got the show,” he said.

Working with Tovino and Gautham Menon

DD also talked about her experience acting alongside Mollywood actor Tovino Thomas and director Gautham Vasudev Menon.

“That’s a lovely experience. Working with Gautham Sir is like a breeze. You just have to do whatever he tells you to do, and it will turn out the best. I saw Tovino for the first time there. We shot in Mahabalipuram. We had a shooting for 2 days. And it’s a love song. I was worried about how to act in a love song, but when I saw Gautham sir, I was relieved, as you just have to do whatever he tells you to do and things will be good.”

When asked to describe Pearle in one word, DD didn’t hesitate: “Pearle is pride.”

“Everybody is proud of you. It's not an easy job. You just pushed 2 kids out of your stomach, and you're doing this. It's not an easy job to come back and do work. It’s also made possible with the love and support you receive.”

DD also broke down the idea of what being a “macho man” really means.

“If someone asks to describe who a macho man is... if it was like 10 years ago, you’d say a man who’s taller, rides a bike like a hero, fights like a hero, etc. But after a point, you’ll realise that a real macho man is not all this.

When you go home and there's somebody who’s there to ask how your day was, massage your feet because you're tired, help you relax for a bit, make coffee or help you in the kitchen... that's a macho man.”

She added, “It’s not easy for them too because not all men do that. If a man is doing all that for his woman, then it’s the woman’s job to appreciate them and let them know that. When you’re walking and if your man holds your bag, he’s a macho man."

“Macho man is the one who’s ready to listen to you when there’s a problem and willing to make changes, not the one who shuts the door on your face, leaves you alone or goes for a smoke ignoring everything. I think it’s important for us to tell them that ‘hey, you're doing a good job’. And for the younger girls who’re seeing this... maybe we’re setting new standards about the kind of men they’d want in life than the old concept of men.”