Saranya Ponvannan
Acting
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.
Movies(120)
Nagabandham
Padmamma
2026
Bha. Bha. Ba.
Vaavamani
2025
Bun Butter Jam
Lalitha
2025
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
Ponni
2025
Brother
Hemamalini
2024
Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan
Burma's Mother
2024
Conjuring Kannappan
Lakshmi
2023
Kushi
2023
Aruva Sanda
2022
Varalaru Mukkiyam
2022
Chup
Mrs. Menon
2022
Viruman
Muthulakshmi
2022
Etharkkum Thunindhavan
Kosalai
2022
MGR Magan
Rasaathi
2021
Maha Samudram
Arjun's mother
2021
Sashi
2021
Bhoomi
Bhoominathan's Mother
2021
Nani's Gang Leader
Varalakshmi
2019
Kalavani 2
2019
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
Chembammal
2018
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
Aiyappan's Mother
2018
Kolamavu Kokila
Kokila's Mother
2018
Junga
Junga's mother
2018
Inba Twinkle Lilly
Inbaa
2018
The Villain
Vishalavva
2018
Mannar Vagaiyara
Ilaiyarani's mother
2018
Magalir Mattum
Subbu
2017
Katha Nayagan
Thambidurai's Mother
2017
Velaiyilla Pattathari 2
Bhuvana
2017
Achamindri
2016
Kodi
Kodi and Anbu's Mother
2016
Remo
Arun's Mother
2016
Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
2016
Brahmotsavam
2016
24
Sathyabama
2016
Bangalore Naatkal
Kannan's mother
2016
Velaiyilla Pattathari
Bhuvana
2014
Pappali
2014
Amma Ammamma
2014
Manam
Seetharamudu's Mother
2014
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
2014
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Sumathi
2014
Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal
Yasothammal
2014
All in All Azhagu Raja
Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
2013
Naiyaandi
2013
Kutti Puli
Dheivaanai
2013
Vatthikuchi
Sakthi's mother
2013
Neerparavai
Mary
2012
Chaarulatha
Charu and Latha's mother
2012
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi
Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
2012
Mazhaikaalam
2012
Sadhurangam
2011
Vaanam
Lakshmi
2011
Muthukku Muthaaga
Pechi
2011
Thenmerku Paruvakatru
Veerayi
2010
Komaram Puli
Puli's Mother
2010
Kalavani
Lakshmi
2010
Vedam
Padma
2010
Magane En Marumagane
Jameendar's wife
2010
Guru Sishyan
2010
Bayam Ariyan
Vinoth's Mother
2010
Thambikku Indha Ooru
2010
Yavarum Nalam
Manohar's Mother
2009
Colors
Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
2009
Dindigul Sarathy
Sarathy's Mother
2008
Thenavattu
2008
Ready
2008
Paandi
Sivakami
2008
Kuruvi
Koccha's Wife
2008
Singakutty
2008
Nenjathai Killadhe
2008
Pidichirukku
2008
Puli Varudhu
2007
Vel
Vasu and Vel's mother
2007
Kireedam
Shakti's Mother
2007
Pirappu
Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
2007
Raju Bhai
2007
Jagadam
2007
Thirumagan
Jayakodi
2007
Adaikalam
Kasthuri
2006
Rakhi
Gowri's Mother
2006
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
Thiru's Mother
2006
Em Magan
Krishna's Mother
2006
Sivakasi
Udayappa's wife
2005
Thavamai Thavamiruntu
Sarada
2005
Raam
Saradha
2005
Meesai Madhavan
Devi, Vignesh's mother
2004
Adhu
Meera's Mother
2004
Arul
2004
Chatrapathy
Saravanan's Sister
2004
Alai
2003
Meendum Savithri
Uma
1996
Appaji
1996
Pasumpon
Malar
1995
Karuththamma
Periyakanni
1994
Seevalaperi Pandi
Velammal
1994
Dollar
Lucy
1993
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons
Beena
1993
Dasarathan
1993
Ente Sreekuttikku
Nandini
1993
Kottai Vaasal
1992
Cheppukilukkana Changathi
Manikutty
1991
Aanaval Mothiram
Annie
1991
Naan Pudicha Mappillai
1991
Ennum Nanmakal
Indu
1991
Vanakkam Vathiyare
1991
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan
Mallika
1991
Anjali
Dr. Sheela
1990
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1990
Artham
Manasa
1989
Sakalakala Sammandi
1989
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil
Preethy
1989
Melangottu Thalikattu
1988
Dhayam Onnu
Rita
1988
En Jeevan Paaduthu
Narmada
1988
Manasukkul Mathappu
Seema
1988
Sigappu Thali
1988
Nayakan
Neela
1987
Kallapart
Jeyikkira Kuthira