Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure2026
As Padmamma
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Saranya Ponvannan
Born
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.
Filmography (122)
Melangottu Thalikattu
Melangottu Thalikattu1988
Dhayam Onnu
Dhayam Onnu1988
As Rita
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Bha. Bha. Ba.2025
As Vaavamani
TMDb 3.7 / 10
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam2025
As Ponni
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Manasukkul Mathappu
Manasukkul Mathappu1988
As Seema
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Muthukku Muthaaga2011
As Pechi
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Thambikku Indha Ooru2010
TMDb 3.2 / 10
Inba Twinkle Lilly2018
As Inbaa
Bhoomi2021
As Bhoominathan's Mother
TMDb 4.4 / 10
Manam2014
As Seetharamudu's Mother
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Aanaval Mothiram1991
As Annie
TMDb 7.4 / 10
Raju Bhai2007
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Kalavani 22019
TMDb 4.4 / 10
Junga2018
As Junga's mother
TMDb 5.6 / 10
Thenmerku Paruvakatru2010
As Veerayi
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Singakutty
Singakutty2008
Yavarum Nalam2009
As Manohar's Mother
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Sigappu Thali
Sigappu Thali1988
Kottai Vaasal
Kottai Vaasal1992
TMDb 1.0 / 10
Pasumpon
Pasumpon1995
As Malar
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Katha Nayagan2017
As Thambidurai's Mother
TMDb 3.8 / 10
Naiyaandi2013
TMDb 3.1 / 10
Chaarulatha2012
As Charu and Latha's mother
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam2006
As Saradha
TMDb 6.1 / 10
The Villain2018
As Vishalavva
TMDb 5.1 / 10
Nayakan1987
As Neela
TMDb 7.9 / 10
Sashi2021
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Vatthikuchi2013
As Sakthi's mother
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Achamindri2016
TMDb 7.0 / 10
242016
As Sathyabama
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Dollar1993
As Lucy
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Velaiyilla Pattathari 22017
As Bhuvana
TMDb 5.6 / 10
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan2018
As Chembammal
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Sadhurangam
Sadhurangam2011
TMDb 4.9 / 10
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan1991
As Mallika
TMDb 7.8 / 10
Etharkkum Thunindhavan2022
As Kosalai
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
Ennamo Nadakkudhu2014
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna2018
As Aiyappan's Mother
TMDb 6.1 / 10
Chatrapathy2004
As Saravanan's Sister
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Mannar Vagaiyara2018
As Ilaiyarani's mother
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Thirumagan2007
As Jayakodi
Karuththamma1994
As Periyakanni
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Kushi2023
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Alai2003
TMDb 4.5 / 10
KallapartRelease date TBA
Ennum Nanmakal1991
As Indu
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Neerparavai2012
As Mary
TMDb 6.1 / 10
Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum2016
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Kodi2016
As Kodi and Anbu's Mother
TMDb 6.1 / 10
Cheppukilukkana Changathi
Cheppukilukkana Changathi1991
As Manikutty
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Chup2022
As Mrs. Menon
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Meendum Savithri1996
As Uma
Meesai Madhavan2004
As Devi, Vignesh's mother
Varalaru Mukkiyam2022
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Pappali
Pappali2014
TMDb 3.5 / 10
Anjali1990
As Dr. Sheela
TMDb 7.2 / 10
MGR Magan2021
As Rasaathi
TMDb 2.7 / 10
Arul2004
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Dasarathan
Dasarathan1993
TMDb 4.0 / 10
Rakhi2006
As Gowri's Mother
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Kuruvi2008
As Koccha's Wife
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Nani's Gang Leader2019
As Varalakshmi
TMDb 7.1 / 10
Naan Pudicha Mappillai1991
As Lakshmi
Vedam2010
As Padma
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Sivakasi2005
As Kayalvizhi
TMDb 5.5 / 10
Vaanam2011
As Lakshmi
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Conjuring Kannappan2023
As Lakshmi
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Kolamavu Kokila2018
As Kokila's Mother
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Velaiyilla Pattathari2014
As Bhuvana
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Viruman2022
As Muthulakshmi
TMDb 5.5 / 10
Ready2008
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Jagadam2007
TMDb 5.6 / 10
Brahmotsavam2016
As Ajay's Relative
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Seevalaperi Pandi
Seevalaperi Pandi1994
As Velammal
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Maha Samudram2021
As Arjun's mother
TMDb 4.8 / 10
Raam2005
As Saradha
TMDb 7.9 / 10
Bun Butter Jam2025
As Lalitha
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Komaram Puli2010
As Puli's Mother
TMDb 4.3 / 10
Guru Sishyan2010
As Mahalakshmi
TMDb 3.5 / 10
Kutti Puli2013
As Dheivaanai
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Bangalore Naatkal2016
As Kannan's mother
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Bayam Ariyan
Bayam Ariyan2010
As Vinoth's Mother
Adaikalam
Adaikalam2006
As Kasthuri
Remo2016
As Arun's Mother
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Vel2007
As Mrs Thiyagarajan
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Colors2009
As Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
TMDb 3.1 / 10
Ashwini
Ashwini1991
Artham1989
As Manasa
TMDb 6.1 / 10
All in All Azhagu Raja2013
As Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
TMDb 3.7 / 10
Em Magan2006
As Krishna's Mother
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Agni Paarvai
Agni Paarvai1992
As Seetha
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Dindigul Sarathy2008
As Sarathy's Mother
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Magalir Mattum2017
As Subbu
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi2012
As Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
TMDb 5.2 / 10
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga1990
Magane En Marumagane2010
As Jameendar's wife
Kireedam2007
As Shakti's Mother
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Thenavattu2008
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Thavamai Thavamiruntu2005
As Sarada
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Jeyikkira KuthiraRelease date TBA
Brother2024
As Hemamalini
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Naan Sigappu Manithan2014
As Sumathi
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Kalavani2010
As Lakshmi
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Paandi2008
As Sivakami
TMDb 5.2 / 10
Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan2024
As Burma's Mother
TMDb 2.0 / 10
Sakalakala Sammandi1989
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Aruva Sanda2022
Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal2014
As Yasothammal
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons1993
As Beena
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Nenjathai Killadhe2008
Puli Varudhu2007
Adhu2004
As Meera's Mother
En Jeevan Paaduthu
En Jeevan Paaduthu1988
As Narmada
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Ente Sreekuttikku
Ente Sreekuttikku1993
As Nandini
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Appaji1996
Pirappu2007
As Kaliammal
Mazhaikaalam2012
Vanakkam Vathiyare
Vanakkam Vathiyare1991
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil1989
As Preethy
Pidichirukku2008
Amma Ammamma
Amma Ammamma2014
Filmography and biography: TMDb