Saranya Ponvannan
Born: 1970-04-26 in Alappuzha, Kerala, India
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
2025
2024
- Brother as Hemamalini
- Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan as Burma's Mother
2023
- Kushi
- Conjuring Kannappan as Lakshmi
2022
- Varalaru Mukkiyam
- Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- Chup as Mrs. Menon
- Aruva Sanda
- Viruman as Muthulakshmi
2021
- MGR Magan as Rasaathi
- Maha Samudram as Arjun's mother
- Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- Sashi
2019
- Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
- Kalavani 2
2018
- Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani's mother
- Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- Junga as Junga's mother
- Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- The Villain as Vishalavva
- Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
2017
- Velaiyilla Pattathari 2 as Bhuvana
- Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- Magalir Mattum as Subbu
2016
- 24 as Sathyabama
- Remo as Arun's Mother
- Brahmotsavam
- Bangalore Naatkal as Kannan's mother
- Achamindri
- Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
- Kodi as Kodi and Anbu's Mother
2014
- Amma Ammamma
- Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- Ennamo Nadakkudhu
- Velaiyilla Pattathari as Bhuvana
- Pappali
- Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
2013
- All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- Naiyaandi
- Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
2012
- Neerparavai as Mary
- Oru Kal Oru Kannadi as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
- Chaarulatha as Charu and Latha's mother
- Mazhaikaalam
2011
- Vaanam as Lakshmi
- Muthukku Muthaaga as Pechi
- Sadhurangam
2010
- Guru Sishyan
- Vedam as Padma
- Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- Thambikku Indha Ooru
- Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- Kalavani as Lakshmi
- Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
- Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
2009
- Yavarum Nalam as Manohar's Mother
- Colors as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
2008
- Dindigul Sarathy as Sarathy's Mother
- Paandi as Sivakami
- Ready
- Kuruvi as Koccha's Wife
- Thenavattu
- Pidichirukku
- Singakutty
- Nenjathai Killadhe
2007
- Pirappu as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
- Puli Varudhu
- Raju Bhai
- Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- Jagadam
- Kireedam as Shakti's Mother
- Vel as Vasu and Vel's mother
2006
- Adaikalam as Kasthuri
- Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam as Thiru's Mother
- Em Magan as Krishna's Mother
- Rakhi as Gowri's Mother
2005
- Sivakasi as Udayappa's wife
- Raam as Saradha
- Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
2004
- Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- Adhu as Meera's Mother
- Arul
2003
1996
- Appaji
- Meendum Savithri as Uma
1995
- Pasumpon as Malar
1994
- Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- Karuththamma as Periyakanni
1993
- Injakkadan Mathai & Sons as Beena
- Dollar as Lucy
- Dasarathan
- Ente Sreekuttikku as Nandini
1992
1991
- Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- Cheppukilukkana Changathi as Manikutty
- Naan Pudicha Mappillai
- Vanakkam Vathiyare
1990
- Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1989
- Sakalakala Sammandi
- Artham as Manasa
- Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
1988
- Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- Sigappu Thali
- Melangottu Thalikattu
- En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
1987
- Nayakan as Neela