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 · Varalaru Mukkiyam as
- 2022 · Chup as Mrs. Menon
- 2022 · Viruman as
- 2022 · Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- 2021 · Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- 2019 · Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
- 2018 · Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
- 2018 · Junga as Junga's mother
- 2018 · Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- 2018 · The Villain as Vishalavva
- 2017 · Magalir Mattum as Subbu
- 2017 · Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- 2017 · Velaiyilla Pattathari 2 as Bhuvana
- 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 · Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- 2014 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- 2014 · Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- 2013 · All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- 2013 · Naiyaandi as
- 2012 · Neerparavai as Mary
- 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 · Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- 2010 · Vedam as Padma
- 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
- 2007 · Jagadam as
- 2007 · Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- 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
- 1996 · Meendum Savithri as Uma
- 1995 · Pasumpon as Malar
- 1994 · Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- 1992 · Kottai Vaasal as
- 1990 · Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- 1987 · Nayakan as Neela
- Future · Jeyikkira Kuthira as
- 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 · Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- 2018 · Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani's mother
- 2016 · Achamindri as
- 2014 · Pappali as
- 2014 · Amma Ammamma as
- 2014 · Ennamo Nadakkudhu as
- 2013 · Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
- 2013 · Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- 2012 · Chaarulatha as Charu and Latha's mother
- 2012 · Mazhaikaalam as
- 2011 · Sadhurangam as
- 2010 · Kalavani as Lakshmi
- 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 · 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 · Rakshakan as
- 2007 · Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- 2006 · Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- 2005 · Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
- 2005 · Raam as Saradha
- 2004 · Adhu as Meera's Mother
- 2004 · Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- 2003 · Alai 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 · Melangottu Thalikattu as
- 1988 · Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- 1988 · En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
- 1988 · Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- Future · Bha. Bha. Ba. as
- 1988 · Sigappu Thali as
- Future · Kallapart as