Saranya Ponvannan
April 26, 1970 (54 years old) in Alappuzha, Kerala, India
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
- 2024 · Brother as Hemamalini
- 2024 · Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan as Burma's Mother
- 2023 · Conjuring Kannappan as Lakshmi
- 2023 · Kushi as
- 2022 · Aruva Sanda as
- 2022 · Varalaru Mukkiyam as
- 2022 · Chup as Mrs. Menon
- 2022 · Viruman as
- 2022 · Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- 2021 · MGR Magan as Rasaathi
- 2021 · Maha Samudram as Arjun's mother
- 2021 · Sashi as
- 2021 · Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- 2019 · Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
- 2019 · Kalavani 2 as
- 2018 · Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- 2018 · Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- 2018 · Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
- 2018 · Junga as Junga's mother
- 2018 · Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- 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 · Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum as
- 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 · Pappali as
- 2014 · Amma Ammamma as
- 2014 · Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- 2014 · Ennamo Nadakkudhu as
- 2014 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- 2014 · Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- 2013 · All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- 2013 · Naiyaandi as
- 2013 · Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
- 2013 · Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- 2012 · Neerparavai as Mary
- 2012 · Chaarulatha as Charu and Latha'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 · Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- 2010 · Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- 2010 · Kalavani as Lakshmi
- 2010 · Vedam as Padma
- 2010 · Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
- 2010 · Guru Sishyan as
- 2010 · Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
- 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 · Paandi as Sivakami
- 2008 · Kuruvi as Koccha's Wife
- 2008 · Singakutty as
- 2008 · Nenjathai Killadhe as
- 2008 · Pidichirukku as
- 2007 · Puli Varudhu as
- 2007 · Vel as Vasu and Vel's mother
- 2007 · Kireedam as Shakti's Mother
- 2007 · Rakshakan as
- 2007 · Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- 2007 · Jagadam as
- 2007 · Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- 2006 · Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- 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
- 2005 · Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
- 2005 · Raam as Saradha
- 2004 · Adhu as Meera's Mother
- 2004 · Arul as
- 2004 · Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- 2003 · Alai as
- 1996 · Meendum Savithri as Uma
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Malar
- 1994 · Karuththamma as Periyakanni
- 1994 · Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- 1993 · Dollar as Lucy
- 1993 · Injakkadan Mathai & Sons as Beena
- 1993 · Dasarathan as
- 1993 · Ente Sreekuttikku as Nandini
- 1992 · Kottai Vaasal as
- 1991 · Cheppukilukkana Changathi as Manikutty
- 1991 · Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- 1991 · Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- 1991 · Vanakkam Vathiyare as
- 1991 · Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- 1990 · Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- 1990 · Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga as
- 1989 · Artham as Manasa
- 1989 · Sakalakala Sammandi as
- 1989 · Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
- 1988 · En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
- 1987 · Nayakan as Neela
- Future · Bha. Bha. Ba. as
- Future · Jeyikkira Kuthira as
- 1988 · Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- Future · Kallapart as
- 1988 · Melangottu Thalikattu as
- 1988 · Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- 1988 · Sigappu Thali as