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Saranya Ponvannan

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Saranya Ponvannan
Saranya at Saivam Audio Launch
Born
Sheela Christina

Chennai, Tamil Nadu
OccupationActress
Years active1987–1996 (films)
2000 (television)
2003–present (films)
SpousePonvannan (m. 1995)
Children2
ParentA. B. Raj (Father)

Saranya Ponvannan (born Sheela Christina[1]) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam and a few Kannada language films. She also acted in one Hindi movie Chup: Revenge of the Artist in 2022. Saranya made her acting debut in a lead role in Mani Ratnam's Nayakan (1987) and went on to play lead roles from 1987 to 1996. Following an eight-year sabbatical, she returned to films in 2003 as a character actor roles. In her career spanning around over 25 years she had won a number of accolades including one National Film Award, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and five Filmfare Award South.

Career

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Saranya made her Tamil debut in Mani Ratnam's production Nayakan, as the female lead opposite Kamal Haasan in 1987.[2][3] She made her first Telugu appearance in 1989 film Neerajanam; her Malayalam debut was in the same year with the film Artham starring opposite Mammootty.[4]

In 1996, she made her Kannada debut with Appaji. After 1996, she quit from acting. In 2000 she appeared playing the lead role in the comedy television series, Veettukku Veedu Lootty, and subsequently accepted some supporting roles in other projects.[2] During 2006 she appeared in family-drama serial Mugangal, which aired on Sun TV.

After a break from films she made a comeback in 2003 Tamil film Alai opposite Raghuvaran as Silambarasan 's mother. Since then she has been noted for her "mother" roles in films most notably Raam, Thavamai Thavamirundhu and Em Magan in the mid-2000s.[3]

Her performance as Veerayi, a widowed mother torn between love and possessiveness, in the 2010 film Thenmerku Paruvakaatru – her 100th release – earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.[5] Her major breakthrough was 2005 Tamil film Thavamai Thavamirundhu after which she established herself as a prominent and leading actress in South India. As of 2017, she was one of the highest paid character actresses in the south Indian film industry.[5]

In 2014, she launched Design & School of Fashion Technology (DSOFT), a fashion institute at Virugamakkam, Chennai.[6][7]

She has also played the role of villain in Achamindri (2016).[8][9]

In 2017, she had only three releases. She starred in the sequel of 2014 Tamil film Velaiyilla Pattathari, reprising the role of Bhuvana, in a cameo appearance. The character had died in the original film, but the filmmakers wanted her to appear in the sequel, because of her part in the former's success. Her second venture was with Vishnu Vishal in the film Katha Nayagan, playing the mother of Vishnu Vishal.[10] Later she starred in Magalir Mattum, a women-centric film, in which she played alongside Jyothika, Oorvasi and Bhanupriya.[11]

In 2018, she was first seen in comedy-family drama Mannar Vagaiyara as Vemal's mother; her comedy timing was well received, however Itly was released and opened to negative reviews.[12] Later she was seen in Vijay Sethupathi's Junga and Nayanthara's Kolamavu Kokila as the mother of Kokila[4] who although affected by lung cancer, assists her daughter in smuggling cocaine.

She took on the role of Vishalavva, mother to Kiccha Sudeepa's character in Kannada movie The Villain directed by Prem in 2018. Later she was seen in Madhupal's Malayalam thriller drama Oru Kuprasidha Payyan playing Chembammal.

She signed to reprise the role of Lakshmi in Kalavani 2. Her first Telugu release of the year was Gang Leader where she played the lead role Varalakshmi alongside Nani, Lakshmi, Kartikeya Gummakonda, Priyanka Arul Mohan among others.

After a brief hiatus because of COVID-19 Pandemic, her first release was through OTT in 2021 was Bhoomi alongside Jayam Ravi. Critics cited that the talented actress was restricted to few insignificant scenes. Following Bhoomi, she had two other releases in 2021 - multistarer Telugu film Maha Samudharam and Sasikumar's MGR Magan.

Personal life

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Saranya was born in a Catholic Christian family in Chennai.[13] She is the daughter of Malayalam film director A. B. Raj,[14] who had directed over 75 films. Her family is from Alappuzha, Kerala. She married actor-director Ponvannan in 1995, and the couple has two daughters.[15]

Awards

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National Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards

Winnings:

Nominations:

South Indian International Movie Awards
  • 2013 – Winner—Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Neerparavai
  • 2014 – Nominated–Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kutti Puli
  • 2015 – Winner—Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Velaiyilla Pattathari
  • 2019 – Nominated–Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kolamavu Kokila
Ananda Vikatan Awards
Vijay Awards
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards
Edison Awards
JFW Awards
  • 2014 - Women Achiever of the year
JFW Movie Awards

Filmography

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Films

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1987 Nayakan Neela Tamil Debut film
1988 Manasukkul Mathappu Dr.Geetha Tamil
En Jeevan Paduthu Narmada Tamil
Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu Muthamma Tamil
Sivapputhaali Keerthana Tamil
Dhaayam Onnu Preetha Tamil
1989 Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil Preethi Tamil
Sakalakala Sammandhi Uma Tamil
Karunguyil Kundram Tamil
Neerajanam Jaya Telugu
Artham Manasa Malayalam
1990 Anjali Dr. Sheela Tamil
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga Meena Tamil
1991 Vanakkam Vathiyare Sundari Tamil
Naan Pudicha Mappillai Lakshmi Tamil
Ashwini Telugu
Ganga Telugu
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan Mallika Malayalam
Cheppukilukkana Changathi Manikutty Malayalam
Aanaval Mothiram Annie Malayalam
Ennum Nanmakal Indu Malayalam
1992 Agni Paarvai Seetha Tamil
Kottai Vaasal Rekha Tamil
Sahasam Rekha Telugu
1993 Dasarathan Vasanthi Tamil
Magrib Aarifa Malayalam
Journalist Ranjini Malayalam
Ente Sreekuttikku Nandhini Malayalam
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons Beena Malayalam
1994 Dollar Lusie Malayalam
Karuththamma Ponnatha Tamil
Seevalaperi Pandi Velammal Tamil
1995 Pasumpon Malar Tamil
1996 Appaji Rekha Kannada
Meendum Savithri Uma Tamil
Neti Savithri Telugu
Boss Kannada
Easwaramoorthy IN Lathika Malayalam
Samayakkondu Sullu Rukmini Kannada
2003 Alai Nirmala Tamil Comeback film after marriage
Chantigadu Savthriyamma Telugu
2004 Varnajalam Karthiga Tamil
Arul Arul 's sister Tamil
Adhu Meera's mother Tamil
Chatrapathy Saravanan's sister Tamil
Ramakrishna Ramakrishna's mother Tamil
Meesai Madhavan Devi Tamil
Gomathi Nayagam Tamil
2005 Ayodhya Jameela Tamil
Raam Saradha Tamil
Sivakasi Kayalvizhi Tamil
Thavamai Thavamirundhu Saradha Muthiah Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil
2006 Emtan Magan Selvi Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil
Tamil Nadu State Film Best Supporting Actress Award
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam Thiru's mother Tamil
Rakhi Gowri's Mother Telugu
Adaikalam Kasthuri Tamil
2007 Thirumagan Jayakodi Tamil
Jagadam Seenu's mother Telugu
Kireedam Rajeshwari Tamil
Pirappu Kaliamman Tamil
Vel Saradha (Velu's & Vasu's Mother) Tamil
Puli Varudhu Ramesh's Mother Tamil
2008 Pidichirukku Stella Tamil
Nenjadhai Killadhe Vasanth's false mother Tamil
Singakutty Kathir's mother Tamil
Vilaiyattu Tamil
Kuruvi Devi's sister-in-law /Koccha's Wife Tamil
Pandi Sivagami Tamil
Ready Pooja's mother Telugu
Thenavattu Vazhuvanthal Tamil
Dindigul Sarathy Saradha Tamil
Ini Varum Kaalam Aravind's mother Tamil
2009 Yavarum Nalam Shanti, Manohar's Mother Tamil
Colours Dr. Rajalakshmi Malayalam
Vanam Partha Seemayile Tamil
2010 Police Quarters Jayamma Kannada
Bayam Ariyaan Saraswathi Tamil
Pulliman Yashoda Panicker Malayalam
Kalavani Lakshmi Ramasamy Tamil Ananda Vikatan Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Tamil Nadu State Film Best Supporting Actress Award
Guru Sishyan Mahalakshmi Tamil
Magane En Marumagane Ponnarasi's Mother Tamil
Thambikku Indha Ooru Mrs.Kumaraswamy Tamil
Vedam Padma Telugu
Puli Puli's mother Telugu Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Telugu
Naane Ennul Illai Janaki Tamil
Yaksha Yaksha's mother Kannada
Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Veerayi Tamil National Film Award for Best Actress
Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress
Edison Award for Best Supporting Actress
2011 Muthukku Muthaaga Pechi Tamil
Vaanam Lakshmi Tamil
Sadhurangam Analaar's wife Tamil
Maharaja Seetha Tamil
2012 Oru Kal Oru Kannadi Shenbagam Tamil Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress
Chaarulatha Chaaru & Latha's Mother Tamil
Kannada
Thaandavam Sivakumar's Mother Tamil
Neerparavai Mary Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
SIIMA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
2013 Vatthikuchi Sakthi's mother Tamil
Kutti Puli Deivanai Tamil Nominated, SIIMA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
All in All Azhagu Raja Meenakshi Tamil
Suvadugal Tamil
2014 Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal Yasothammal Tamil
Naan Sigappu Manithan Sumathi Tamil
Ennamo Nadakkudhu Vijay's mother Tamil Ananda Vikatan Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Manam Seetharamudu's mother Telugu
Pappali Tamil
Velaiyilla Pattathari Bhuvana Tamil SIIMA for Best Supporting Actress Tamil
Ananda Vikatan Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated, Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress
Amma Ammamma Lakshmi Tamil
2016 Bangalore Naatkal Kannan's mother Tamil
24 Sathyabhama Tamil
Brahmotsavam Babu's Aunt Telugu
Remo Siva's & Remo's mother Tamil
Kodi Kodi's & Anbu's mother Tamil Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
Achamindri Rajalakhsmi Tamil
2017 Velaiyilla Pattathari 2 Bhuvana Tamil
Katha Nayagan Thambidurai's mother Tamil
Magalir Mattum Subbulakshmi Tamil
2018 Mannar Vagaiyara Kalaiyarasi Tamil
Itly Inba Tamil Lead role
Junga Junga's mother/ Don amma Tamil
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna Japan's mother Tamil
Kolamavu Kokila Kokila's mother Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil

Nominated - SIIMA for Best Supporting Actress Tamil

The Villain Vishalavva Kannada
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan Chembakaamal Malayalam
2019 Kalavani 2 Lakshmi Tamil
Gang Leader Varalakshmi Telugu
2021 Bhoomi Bhoominathan's mother Tamil
Maha Samudhram Arjun's mother Telugu
MGR Magan Rasathi Tamil
2022 Etharkkum Thunindhavan Kosalai Tamil
Viruman Muthulakshmi Tamil
Chup: Revenge of the Artist Nila's Mother Hindi Hindi film debut
Varalaru Mukkiyam Karthik's mother Tamil
Aruvaa Sanda Valli Tamil
2023 Kushi Rajalakshmi Telugu
Conjuring Kannapan Lakshmi Tamil
2024 Mazhai Pidikkatha Manithan Rathnam, Burma’s mother Tamil
Brother Hemamalini Tamil
Idi Muzhakkam † TBA Tamil Filming
Gangster Granny † TBA Tamil Filming
Kallapart † Tamil Delayed
Bha. Bha. Ba. TBA Malayalam Filming

As playback singer

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Year Film Song Language Composer Note
2014 Ennamo Nadakkudhu "Meesa Kokku" Tamil Premgi Amaren Debut as Singer[17]
2017 Magalir Mattum "Time Passukkosaram" Tamil Ghibran Also lead actor[18]

Television

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Year Television series Channel Notes
1991 Penn DD Podhigai Episode 7 (Lead)
1992 Ninaivu Kurippugal Host
2000-2003 Veetuku Veedu Looty Jaya TV Meena (Lead role) 183 Episodes
2006-2007 Mugangal Sun TV Lead role 177 Episodes
2022 Amudhavum Annalakshmiyum Zee Tamil Herself (for promotion in promo)
Along with Sneha, Sangeetha
Maari
Meenakshi Ponnunga

References

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  1. ^ "Distinguished Alumnae". Women's Christian College. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Back into form with a bang". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 25 November 2006. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. ^ a b Ashok Kumar, S.R. (15 December 2005). "An actress who plays her roles with aplomb". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 13 May 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b Nair, Vidya (14 October 2018). "Screen-mother to Superstar". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Best actor – female: Saranya Ponvannan takes it in her stride". The Times of India. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  6. ^ Subhakeerthana, S (14 May 2018). "Saranya Ponvannan: Nobody calls me 'madam' on the sets, I'm always their 'Amma'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  7. ^ Anantharam, Chitra Deepa (16 October 2017). "Meet the multi-talented Amma". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  8. ^ Krishnakumar, Ranjani (13 August 2018). "Ms. En Scene: In Praise Of Saranya Ponvannan, The Mother That I Never Had". Silverscreen. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  9. ^ Subramamian, Anupama (23 December 2016). "Saranya Ponvannan: From adorable mom to angry woman". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Kathanayagan review: This Vishnu Vishal film produces intermittent smiles rather than laughs". The Indian Express. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  11. ^ Kumar, Karthik (14 September 2017). "Magalir Mattum movie review: Not without flaws but a film made with a lot of heart". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  12. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (30 June 2018). "Itly movie review: Potential riotous laugh let down by weak writing". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  13. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (5 September 2024). "Saranya Ponvannan on her memorable childhood outings in Chennai". The Hindu. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "TOI Coronavirus Live Tracker: How India is fighting coronavirus. Updates, myth-busters, tips and more". The Times of India.
  15. ^ "I never expected the National Award". Rediff. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  16. ^ Dhananjayan, G (2014). PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013. Chennai: Blue Ocean Publishers. p. 511. ISBN 9789384301057.
  17. ^ Rinku, Gupta (25 October 2013). "Saranya croons for Ennamo Nadakuthu". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  18. ^ quintdaily (11 August 2017). "VIP 2 Review: Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 Theatrical Response & Rating – QuintDaily".
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