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