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