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