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
- 2023 · Conjuring Kannappan as Lakshmi
- 2023 · Kushi as
- 2022 · Aruva Sanda as
- 2022 · Chup as Mrs. Menon
- 2022 · Viruman as
- 2022 · Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- 2021 · Maha Samudram as Arjun's mother
- 2019 · Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
- 2019 · Kalavani 2 as
- 2018 · Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
- 2018 · Junga as Junga's mother
- 2018 · The Villain as Vishalavva
- 2018 · Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani'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
- 2014 · Velaiyilla Pattathari as Bhuvana
- 2014 · Amma Ammamma as
- 2014 · Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- 2014 · Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- 2013 · All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- 2013 · Naiyaandi as
- 2013 · Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
- 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 · Kalavani as Lakshmi
- 2010 · Vedam as Padma
- 2010 · Guru Sishyan as
- 2009 · Yavarum Nalam as Manohar's Mother
- 2009 · Colors as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
- 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 · 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 · Arul as
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Malar
- 1994 · Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- 1991 · Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- 1990 · Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- 1989 · Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
- 1988 · Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- 1987 · Nayakan as Neela
- Future · Jeyikkira Kuthira as
- 2024 · Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan as Burma's Mother
- 2022 · Varalaru Mukkiyam as
- 2021 · MGR Magan as Rasaathi
- 2021 · Sashi as
- 2021 · Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- 2018 · Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- 2018 · Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- 2018 · Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- 2017 · Magalir Mattum as Subbu
- 2017 · Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- 2016 · Bangalore Naatkal as Kannan's mother
- 2014 · Pappali as
- 2014 · Ennamo Nadakkudhu as
- 2014 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- 2013 · Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- 2012 · Neerparavai as Mary
- 2012 · Mazhaikaalam as
- 2011 · Sadhurangam as
- 2010 · Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- 2010 · Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- 2010 · Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
- 2010 · Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
- 2010 · Thambikku Indha Ooru as
- 2008 · Thenavattu as
- 2008 · Paandi as Sivakami
- 2008 · Singakutty as
- 2008 · Nenjathai Killadhe as
- 2008 · Pidichirukku as
- 2007 · Puli Varudhu as
- 2007 · Rakshakan as
- 2007 · Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- 2007 · Jagadam as
- 2007 · Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- 2006 · Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- 2004 · Adhu as Meera's Mother
- 2004 · Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- 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
- 1992 · Kottai Vaasal as
- 1991 · Cheppukilukkana Changathi as Manikutty
- 1991 · Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- 1991 · Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- 1991 · Vanakkam Vathiyare as
- 1990 · Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga as
- 1989 · Artham as Manasa
- 1989 · Sakalakala Sammandi as
- 1988 · Melangottu Thalikattu as
- 1988 · Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- 1988 · En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
- Future · Kallapart as
- Future · Bha. Bha. Ba. as
- 1988 · Sigappu Thali as