Saranya Ponvannan
Known for: Acting
Born: April 26, 1970
Place of birth: 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.
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Filmography
122 movies · 1 TV show, newest first
4.5
Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure
2026
3.7
Bha. Bha. Ba.
2025
5.0
Bun Butter Jam
2025
6.0
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
2025
6.5
Brother
2024
2.0
Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan
2024
6.2
Conjuring Kannappan
2023
5.0
Kushi
2023
NR
Aruva Sanda
2022
5.3
Varalaru Mukkiyam
2022
6.7
Chup
2022
5.5
Viruman
2022
5.8
Etharkkum Thunindhavan
2022
2.7
MGR Magan
2021
4.8
Maha Samudram
2021
6.0
Sashi
2021
4.4
Bhoomi
2021
7.1
Nani's Gang Leader
2019
4.4
Kalavani 2
2019
6.8
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
2018
6.1
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
2018
6.6
Kolamavu Kokila
2018
5.6
Junga
2018
NR
Inba Twinkle Lilly
2018
5.1
The Villain
2018
5.8
Mannar Vagaiyara
2018
6.8
Magalir Mattum
2017
3.8
Katha Nayagan
2017
5.6
Velaiyilla Pattathari 2
2017
7.0
Achamindri
2016
6.1
Kodi
2016
5.6
Remo
2016
5.0
Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
2016
4.5
Brahmotsavam
2016
7.2
24
2016
5.7
Bangalore Naatkal
2016
7.5
Velaiyilla Pattathari
20143.5
Pappali
2014NR
Amma Ammamma
2014
7.2
Manam
20147.0
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
2014
6.2
Naan Sigappu Manithan
2014
5.3
Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal
2014
3.7
All in All Azhagu Raja
2013
3.1
Naiyaandi
2013
4.5
Kutti Puli
2013
6.5
Vatthikuchi
2013
6.1
Neerparavai
2012
5.8
Chaarulatha
2012
5.2
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi
2012
NR
Mazhaikaalam
20124.9
Sadhurangam
2011
6.0
Vaanam
2011
6.2
Muthukku Muthaaga
2011
7.2
Thenmerku Paruvakatru
2010
4.3
Komaram Puli
2010
6.2
Kalavani
2010
7.3
Vedam
2010
NR
Magane En Marumagane
2010
3.5
Guru Sishyan
2010NR
Bayam Ariyan
2010
3.2
Thambikku Indha Ooru
2010
6.3
Yavarum Nalam
2009
3.1
Colors
2009
6.2
Dindigul Sarathy
2008
7.0
Thenavattu
2008
5.8
Ready
2008
5.2
Paandi
2008
4.5
Kuruvi
2008NR
Singakutty
2008
NR
Nenjathai Killadhe
2008
NR
Pidichirukku
2008
NR
Puli Varudhu
2007
6.2
Vel
2007
5.8
Kireedam
2007
NR
Pirappu
2007
5.0
Raju Bhai
2007
5.6
Jagadam
2007
NR
Thirumagan
2007NR
Adaikalam
2006
5.4
Rakhi
2006
6.1
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
2006
7.5
Em Magan
2006
5.5
Sivakasi
2005
6.7
Thavamai Thavamiruntu
2005
7.9
Raam
2005
NR
Meesai Madhavan
2004
NR
Adhu
2004
6.5
Arul
2004
5.0
Chatrapathy
2004
4.5
Alai
2003
NR
Meendum Savithri
1996
NR
Appaji
19966.3
Pasumpon
1995
6.2
Karuththamma
19947.3
Seevalaperi Pandi
1994
8.0
Dollar
1993
7.0
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons
19934.0
Dasarathan
199310.0
Ente Sreekuttikku
19931.0
Kottai Vaasal
19929.0
Agni Paarvai
19926.5
Cheppukilukkana Changathi
1991
7.4
Aanaval Mothiram
1991NR
Ashwini
1991
NR
Naan Pudicha Mappillai
1991
8.0
Ennum Nanmakal
1991NR
Vanakkam Vathiyare
1991
7.8
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan
1991NR
Penn
1991
7.2
Anjali
1990
NR
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1990
6.1
Artham
1989
6.0
Sakalakala Sammandi
1989
NR
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil
1989NR
Melangottu Thalikattu
19886.0
Dhayam Onnu
19889.0
En Jeevan Paaduthu
19887.0
Manasukkul Mathappu
1988NR
Sigappu Thali
1988
7.9
Nayakan
1987
NR
Kallapart
—
NR
Jeyikkira Kuthira
—