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