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