
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 · Bun Butter Jam as
- 2025 · Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam as Ponni
- 2024 · Brother as Hemamalini
- 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 · 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
- 2018 · Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
- 2018 · Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- 2018 · The Villain as Vishalavva
- 2018 · Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani's mother
- 2017 · Magalir Mattum as Subbu
- 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
- 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
- 2012 · Oru Kal Oru Kannadi as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
- 2011 · Vaanam as Lakshmi
- 2011 · Muthukku Muthaaga as Pechi
- 2010 · Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- 2010 · Vedam as Padma
- 2010 · Thambikku Indha Ooru as
- 2009 · Yavarum Nalam as Manohar's Mother
- 2008 · Dindigul Sarathy as Sarathy's Mother
- 2008 · Ready as
- 2008 · Kuruvi as Koccha's Wife
- 2007 · Vel as Vasu and Vel's mother
- 2007 · Kireedam as Shakti's Mother
- 2006 · Rakhi as Gowri's Mother
- 2006 · Em Magan as Krishna's Mother
- 2005 · Sivakasi as Udayappa's wife
- 2004 · Arul as
- 2003 · Alai as
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Malar
- 1994 · Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- 1992 · Kottai Vaasal as
- 1990 · Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- 1987 · Nayakan as Neela
- Future · Bha. Bha. Ba. as
- 2022 · Aruva Sanda as
- 2019 · Kalavani 2 as
- 2018 · Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- 2018 · Junga as Junga's mother
- 2018 · Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- 2017 · Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- 2016 · Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum as
- 2014 · Pappali as
- 2014 · Amma Ammamma as
- 2014 · Ennamo Nadakkudhu as
- 2014 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- 2014 · Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- 2013 · Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- 2012 · Mazhaikaalam as
- 2011 · Sadhurangam as
- 2010 · Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- 2010 · Kalavani as Lakshmi
- 2010 · Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
- 2010 · Guru Sishyan as
- 2010 · Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
- 2009 · Colors as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
- 2008 · Thenavattu as
- 2008 · Paandi as Sivakami
- 2008 · Singakutty as
- 2008 · Nenjathai Killadhe as
- 2008 · Pidichirukku as
- 2007 · Puli Varudhu as
- 2007 · Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- 2007 · Jagadam as
- 2007 · Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- 2006 · Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- 2006 · Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam as Thiru's Mother
- 2005 · Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
- 2005 · Raam as Saradha
- 2004 · Adhu as Meera's Mother
- 2004 · Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- 1996 · Meendum Savithri as Uma
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 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 · Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- 1991 · Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- 1991 · Vanakkam Vathiyare as
- 1991 · Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- 1990 · Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga as
- 1989 · Artham as Manasa
- 1989 · Sakalakala Sammandi as
- 1989 · Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
- 1988 · Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- 1988 · En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
- 1988 · Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- Future · Jeyikkira Kuthira as
- Future · Kallapart as
- 1988 · Melangottu Thalikattu as
- 1988 · Sigappu Thali as