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