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Saranya Ponvannan

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

April 26, 1970 (age 55)

Place of Birth

Alappuzha, Kerala, India

Also Known As

Sheela

Saranya Ponvannan

Biography

Sheela better known by her stage name Saranya is an Indian film actress who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. Saranya made her debut in a lead role in Mani Ratnam's Nayagan and went on to play lead roles in a few films during the late 1980s. Following an eight-year sabbatical, she returned to feature films as a character artiste, essaying supporting roles, particularly playing mother characters to lead artists. For her performances in films including Raam (2005), Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005), Em Magan (2006) and Kalavani (2010), she has received notable critical praise and several accolades, including three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress, while her performance in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru fetched her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 2011.Saranya is the daughter of Malayalam film director A. B. Raj. She is married to a fellow actor, Ponvannan.

Filmography

2025FilmBha. Bha. Ba.as Vaavamani 2025FilmBun Butter Jamas Lalitha 2025FilmNilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobamas Ponni 2024FilmBrotheras Hemamalini 2024FilmMazhai Pidikatha Manithanas Burma's Mother 2023FilmConjuring Kannappanas Lakshmi 2023FilmKushi 2022FilmAruva Sanda 2022FilmVaralaru Mukkiyam 2022FilmChupas Mrs. Menon 2022FilmVirumanas Muthulakshmi 2022FilmEtharkkum Thunindhavanas Kosalai 2021FilmMGR Maganas Rasaathi 2021FilmMaha Samudramas Arjun's mother 2021FilmSashi 2021FilmBhoomias Bhoominathan's Mother 2019FilmNani's Gang Leaderas Varalakshmi 2019FilmKalavani 2 2018FilmOru Kuprasidha Payyanas Chembammal 2018FilmMarainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Ennaas Aiyappan's Mother 2018FilmKolamavu Kokilaas Kokila's Mother 2018FilmJungaas Junga's mother 2018FilmInba Twinkle Lillyas Inbaa 2018FilmThe Villainas Vishalavva 2018FilmMannar Vagaiyaraas Ilaiyarani's mother 2017FilmMagalir Mattumas Subbu 2017FilmKatha Nayaganas Thambidurai's Mother 2017FilmVelaiyilla Pattathari 2as Bhuvana 2016FilmAchamindri 2016FilmKodias Kodi and Anbu's Mother 2016FilmRemoas Arun's Mother 2016FilmTamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum 2016FilmBrahmotsavam 2016Film24as Sathyabama 2016FilmBangalore Naatkalas Kannan's mother 2014FilmVelaiyilla Pattatharias Bhuvana 2014FilmPappali 2014FilmAmma Ammamma 2014FilmManamas Seetharamudu's Mother 2014FilmEnnamo Nadakkudhu 2014FilmNaan Sigappu Manithanas Sumathi 2014FilmIdhu Kathirvelan Kadhalas Yasothammal 2013FilmAll in All Azhagu Rajaas Meenakshi Muthukrishnan 2013FilmNaiyaandi 2013FilmKutti Pulias Dheivaanai 2013FilmVatthikuchias Sakthi's mother 2012FilmNeerparavaias Mary 2012FilmChaarulathaas Charu and Latha's mother 2012FilmOru Kal Oru Kannadias Shenbagam Saravanan's mother 2012FilmMazhaikaalam 2011FilmSadhurangam 2011FilmVaanamas Lakshmi 2011FilmMuthukku Muthaagaas Pechi 2010FilmThenmerku Paruvakatruas Veerayi 2010FilmKomaram Pulias Puli's Mother 2010FilmKalavanias Lakshmi 2010FilmVedamas Padma 2010FilmMagane En Marumaganeas Jameendar's wife 2010FilmGuru Sishyan 2010FilmBayam Ariyanas Vinoth's Mother 2010FilmThambikku Indha Ooru 2009FilmYavarum Nalamas Manohar's Mother 2009FilmColorsas Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi 2008FilmDindigul Sarathyas Sarathy's Mother 2008FilmThenavattu 2008FilmReady 2008FilmPaandias Sivakami 2008FilmKuruvias Koccha's Wife 2008FilmSingakutty 2008FilmNenjathai Killadhe 2008FilmPidichirukku 2007FilmPuli Varudhu 2007FilmVelas Vasu and Vel's mother 2007FilmKireedamas Shakti's Mother 2007FilmPirappuas Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother 2007FilmRaju Bhai 2007FilmJagadam 2007FilmThirumaganas Jayakodi 2006FilmAdaikalamas Kasthuri 2006FilmRakhias Gowri's Mother 2006FilmThiruvilaiyaadal Aarambamas Thiru's Mother 2006FilmEm Maganas Krishna's Mother 2005FilmSivakasias Udayappa's wife 2005FilmThavamai Thavamiruntuas Sarada 2005FilmRaamas Saradha 2004FilmMeesai Madhavanas Devi, Vignesh's mother 2004FilmAdhuas Meera's Mother 2004FilmArul 2004FilmChatrapathyas Saravanan's Sister 2003FilmAlai 1996FilmMeendum Savithrias Uma 1996FilmAppaji 1995FilmPasumponas Malar 1994FilmKaruththammaas Periyakanni 1994FilmSeevalaperi Pandias Velammal 1993FilmDollaras Lucy 1993FilmInjakkadan Mathai & Sonsas Beena 1993FilmDasarathan 1993FilmEnte Sreekuttikkuas Nandini 1992FilmKottai Vaasal 1991FilmCheppukilukkana Changathias Manikutty 1991FilmAanaval Mothiramas Annie 1991FilmNaan Pudicha Mappillai 1991FilmEnnum Nanmakalas Indu 1991FilmVanakkam Vathiyare 1991FilmAakasha Kottayile Sultanas Mallika 1990FilmAnjalias Dr. Sheela 1990FilmUlagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga 1989FilmArthamas Manasa 1989FilmSakalakala Sammandi 1989FilmAndru Peytha Mazhaiyilas Preethy 1988FilmMelangottu Thalikattu 1988FilmDhayam Onnuas Rita 1988FilmEn Jeevan Paaduthuas Narmada 1988FilmManasukkul Mathappuas Seema 1988FilmSigappu Thali 1987FilmNayakanas Neela —FilmKallapart —FilmJeyikkira Kuthira