
Saranya Ponvannan
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.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam as Ponni
- 2024 · Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan as Burma's Mother
- 2023 · Conjuring Kannappan as Lakshmi
- 2023 · Kushi as
- 2022 · Varalaru Mukkiyam as
- 2022 · Chup as Mrs. Menon
- 2022 · Viruman as Muthulakshmi
- 2022 · Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- 2021 · Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- 2019 · Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
- 2018 · Junga as Junga's mother
- 2018 · The Villain as Vishalavva
- 2018 · Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani's mother
- 2017 · Magalir Mattum as Subbu
- 2017 · Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- 2017 · Velaiyilla Pattathari 2 as Bhuvana
- 2016 · Achamindri as
- 2016 · Kodi as Kodi and Anbu's Mother
- 2016 · Remo as Arun's Mother
- 2016 · Brahmotsavam as
- 2016 · Brahmotsavam as Ajay's Relative
- 2016 · 24 as Sathyabama
- 2016 · Bangalore Naatkal as Kannan's mother
- 2014 · Velaiyilla Pattathari as Bhuvana
- 2014 · Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- 2014 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- 2013 · All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- 2013 · Naiyaandi as
- 2013 · Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
- 2012 · Neerparavai as Mary
- 2012 · Chaarulatha as Charu and Latha's mother
- 2010 · Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- 2010 · Vedam as Padma
- 2010 · Guru Sishyan as
- 2010 · Thambikku Indha Ooru as
- 2009 · Yavarum Nalam as Manohar's Mother
- 2009 · Colors as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
- 2008 · Dindigul Sarathy as Sarathy's Mother
- 2008 · Thenavattu as
- 2008 · Ready as
- 2008 · Kuruvi as Koccha's Wife
- 2007 · Vel as Vasu and Vel's mother
- 2007 · Jagadam as
- 2006 · Rakhi as Gowri's Mother
- 2006 · Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam as Thiru's Mother
- 2006 · Em Magan as Krishna's Mother
- 2005 · Sivakasi as Udayappa's wife
- 2004 · Arul as
- 2004 · Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Malar
- 1994 · Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- 1992 · Kottai Vaasal as
- 1991 · Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- 1990 · Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- 1990 · Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga as
- 1987 · Nayakan as Neela
- Future · Jeyikkira Kuthira as
- 2024 · Brother as Hemamalini
- 2022 · Aruva Sanda as
- 2021 · MGR Magan as Rasaathi
- 2021 · Maha Samudram as Arjun's mother
- 2021 · Sashi as
- 2019 · Kalavani 2 as
- 2018 · Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- 2018 · Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
- 2018 · Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- 2018 · Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- 2016 · Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum as
- 2014 · Pappali as
- 2014 · Amma Ammamma as
- 2014 · Ennamo Nadakkudhu as
- 2014 · Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- 2013 · Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- 2012 · Oru Kal Oru Kannadi as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
- 2012 · Mazhaikaalam as
- 2011 · Sadhurangam as
- 2011 · Vaanam as Lakshmi
- 2011 · Muthukku Muthaaga as Pechi
- 2010 · Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- 2010 · Kalavani as Lakshmi
- 2010 · Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
- 2010 · Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
- 2008 · Paandi as Sivakami
- 2008 · Singakutty as
- 2008 · Nenjathai Killadhe as
- 2008 · Pidichirukku as
- 2007 · Puli Varudhu as
- 2007 · Kireedam as Shakti's Mother
- 2007 · Rakshakan as
- 2007 · Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- 2007 · Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- 2006 · Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- 2005 · Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
- 2005 · Raam as Saradha
- 2004 · Adhu as Meera's Mother
- 2003 · Alai as
- 1996 · Meendum Savithri as Uma
- 1994 · Karuththamma as Periyakanni
- 1993 · Dollar as Lucy
- 1993 · Injakkadan Mathai & Sons as Beena
- 1993 · Dasarathan as
- 1993 · Ente Sreekuttikku as Nandini
- 1991 · Cheppukilukkana Changathi as Manikutty
- 1991 · Vanakkam Vathiyare as
- 1991 · Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- 1989 · Artham as Manasa
- 1989 · Sakalakala Sammandi as
- 1989 · Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
- Future · Bha. Bha. Ba. as
- 1991 · Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- 1988 · Melangottu Thalikattu as
- 1988 · Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- 1988 · En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
- 1988 · Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- 1988 · Sigappu Thali as
- Future · Kallapart as