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