Saranya Ponvannan

Acting

1970-04-26 · Alappuzha, Kerala, India

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

Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure

2026 · Movie

Bha. Bha. Ba.

2025 · Movie

Bun Butter Jam

2025 · Movie

Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

2025 · Movie

Brother

2024 · Movie

Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan

2024 · Movie

Conjuring Kannappan

2023 · Movie

Kushi

2023 · Movie

Aruva Sanda

2022 · Movie

Varalaru Mukkiyam

2022 · Movie

Chup

2022 · Movie

Viruman

2022 · Movie

Etharkkum Thunindhavan

2022 · Movie

MGR Magan

2021 · Movie

Maha Samudram

2021 · Movie

Sashi

2021 · Movie

Bhoomi

2021 · Movie

Nani's Gang Leader

2019 · Movie

Kalavani 2

2019 · Movie

Oru Kuprasidha Payyan

2018 · Movie

Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna

2018 · Movie

Kolamavu Kokila

2018 · Movie

Junga

2018 · Movie

Inba Twinkle Lilly

2018 · Movie

The Villain

2018 · Movie

Mannar Vagaiyara

2018 · Movie

Magalir Mattum

2017 · Movie

Katha Nayagan

2017 · Movie

Velaiyilla Pattathari 2

2017 · Movie

Achamindri

2016 · Movie

Kodi

2016 · Movie

Remo

2016 · Movie

Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum

2016 · Movie

Brahmotsavam

2016 · Movie

Bangalore Naatkal

2016 · Movie

Velaiyilla Pattathari

2014 · Movie

Pappali

2014 · Movie

Amma Ammamma

2014 · Movie

Manam

2014 · Movie

Ennamo Nadakkudhu

2014 · Movie

Naan Sigappu Manithan

2014 · Movie

Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal

2014 · Movie

All in All Azhagu Raja

2013 · Movie

Naiyaandi

2013 · Movie

Kutti Puli

2013 · Movie

Vatthikuchi

2013 · Movie

Neerparavai

2012 · Movie

Chaarulatha

2012 · Movie

Oru Kal Oru Kannadi

2012 · Movie

Mazhaikaalam

2012 · Movie

Sadhurangam

2011 · Movie

Vaanam

2011 · Movie

Muthukku Muthaaga

2011 · Movie

Thenmerku Paruvakatru

2010 · Movie

Komaram Puli

2010 · Movie

Kalavani

2010 · Movie

Vedam

2010 · Movie

Magane En Marumagane

2010 · Movie

Guru Sishyan

2010 · Movie

Bayam Ariyan

2010 · Movie

Pulliman

2010 · Movie

Thambikku Indha Ooru

2010 · Movie

Yavarum Nalam

2009 · Movie

Colors

2009 · Movie

Dindigul Sarathy

2008 · Movie

Thenavattu

2008 · Movie

Ready

2008 · Movie

Paandi

2008 · Movie

Kuruvi

2008 · Movie

Singakutty

2008 · Movie

Nenjathai Killadhe

2008 · Movie

Pidichirukku

2008 · Movie

Puli Varudhu

2007 · Movie

Vel

2007 · Movie

Kireedam

2007 · Movie

Pirappu

2007 · Movie

Raju Bhai

2007 · Movie

Jagadam

2007 · Movie

Thirumagan

2007 · Movie

Adaikalam

2006 · Movie

Rakhi

2006 · Movie

Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam

2006 · Movie

Em Magan

2006 · Movie

Sivakasi

2005 · Movie

Thavamai Thavamirundhu

2005 · Movie

Raam

2005 · Movie

Meesai Madhavan

2004 · Movie

Adhu

2004 · Movie

Arul

2004 · Movie

Chatrapathy

2004 · Movie

Alai

2003 · Movie

Meendum Savithri

1996 · Movie

Appaji

1996 · Movie

Pasumpon

1995 · Movie

Karuththamma

1994 · Movie

Seevalaperi Pandi

1994 · Movie

Dollar

1993 · Movie

Injakkadan Mathai & Sons

1993 · Movie

Dasarathan

1993 · Movie

Ente Sreekuttikku

1993 · Movie

Kottai Vaasal

1992 · Movie

Agni Paarvai

1992 · Movie

Cheppukilukkana Changathi

1991 · Movie

Aanaval Mothiram

1991 · Movie

Ashwini

1991 · Movie

Naan Pudicha Mappillai

1991 · Movie

Ennum Nanmakal

1991 · Movie

Vanakkam Vathiyare

1991 · Movie

Penn

1991 · Series

Aakasha Kottayile Sultan

1991 · Movie

Anjali

1990 · Movie

Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga

1990 · Movie

Artham

1989 · Movie

Sakalakala Sammandi

1989 · Movie

Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil

1989 · Movie

Melangottu Thalikattu

1988 · Movie

1988 · Movie

1988 · Movie

1988 · Movie

1988 · Movie

Nayakan

1987 · Movie

Kallapart

Movie

Jeyikkira Kuthira

Movie