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