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
2026
- Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure as Padmamma
2025
- Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam as Ponni
- Bha. Bha. Ba. as Vaavamani
- Bun Butter Jam as Lalitha
2024
- Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan as Burma's Mother
- Brother as Hemamalini
2023
- Kushi
- Conjuring Kannappan as Lakshmi
2022
- Etharkkum Thunindhavan as Kosalai
- Viruman as Muthulakshmi
- Varalaru Mukkiyam
- Chup as Mrs. Menon
- Aruva Sanda
2021
- Bhoomi as Bhoominathan's Mother
- Sashi
- Maha Samudram as Arjun's mother
- MGR Magan as Rasaathi
2019
- Kalavani 2
- Nani's Gang Leader as Varalakshmi
2018
- Inba Twinkle Lilly as Inbaa
- Junga as Junga's mother
- Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Chembammal
- Mannar Vagaiyara as Ilaiyarani's mother
- The Villain as Vishalavva
- Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna as Aiyappan's Mother
- Kolamavu Kokila as Kokila's Mother
2017
- Katha Nayagan as Thambidurai's Mother
- Velaiyilla Pattathari 2 as Bhuvana
- Magalir Mattum as Subbu
2016
- Achamindri
- Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
- Kodi as Kodi and Anbu's Mother
- 24 as Sathyabama
- Remo as Arun's Mother
- Bangalore Naatkal as Kannan's mother
- Brahmotsavam
2014
- Manam as Seetharamudu's Mother
- Velaiyilla Pattathari as Bhuvana
- Ennamo Nadakkudhu
- Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal as Yasothammal
- Naan Sigappu Manithan as Sumathi
- Pappali
- Amma Ammamma
2013
- Vatthikuchi as Sakthi's mother
- Naiyaandi
- All in All Azhagu Raja as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
- Kutti Puli as Dheivaanai
2012
- Chaarulatha as Charu and Latha's mother
- Neerparavai as Mary
- Oru Kal Oru Kannadi as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
- Mazhaikaalam
2011
- Muthukku Muthaaga as Pechi
- Sadhurangam
- Vaanam as Lakshmi
2010
- Thenmerku Paruvakatru as Veerayi
- Thambikku Indha Ooru
- Vedam as Padma
- Komaram Puli as Puli's Mother
- Guru Sishyan as Mahalakshmi
- Kalavani as Lakshmi
- Bayam Ariyan as Vinoth's Mother
- Magane En Marumagane as Jameendar's wife
2009
- Yavarum Nalam as Manohar's Mother
- Colors as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
2008
- Singakutty
- Ready
- Dindigul Sarathy as Sarathy's Mother
- Kuruvi as Koccha's Wife
- Paandi as Sivakami
- Thenavattu
- Pidichirukku
- Nenjathai Killadhe
2007
- Raju Bhai
- Thirumagan as Jayakodi
- Jagadam
- Vel as Mrs Thiyagarajan
- Kireedam as Shakti's Mother
- Puli Varudhu
- Pirappu as Kaliammal
2006
- Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam as Saradha
- Rakhi as Gowri's Mother
- Em Magan as Krishna's Mother
- Adaikalam as Kasthuri
2005
- Sivakasi as Kayalvizhi
- Raam as Saradha
- Thavamai Thavamiruntu as Sarada
2004
- Chatrapathy as Saravanan's Sister
- Arul
- Meesai Madhavan as Devi, Vignesh's mother
- Adhu as Meera's Mother
2003
1996
- Meendum Savithri as Uma
- Appaji
1995
- Pasumpon as Malar
1994
- Seevalaperi Pandi as Velammal
- Karuththamma as Periyakanni
1993
- Dollar as Lucy
- Dasarathan
- Injakkadan Mathai & Sons as Beena
- Ente Sreekuttikku as Nandini
1992
- Kottai Vaasal
- Agni Paarvai as Seetha
1991
- Penn
- Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as Mallika
- Aanaval Mothiram as Annie
- Cheppukilukkana Changathi as Manikutty
- Ennum Nanmakal as Indu
- Naan Pudicha Mappillai
- Ashwini
- Vanakkam Vathiyare
1990
- Anjali as Dr. Sheela
- Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1989
- Sakalakala Sammandi
- Artham as Manasa
- Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil as Preethy
1988
- Sigappu Thali
- Dhayam Onnu as Rita
- Melangottu Thalikattu
- Manasukkul Mathappu as Seema
- En Jeevan Paaduthu as Narmada
1987
- Nayakan as Neela