Biography
Suhasini Maniratnam (born August 15, 1961) is an Indian actress, director, and screenwriter who works across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. Trained in cinematography at the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, she made her acting debut in J. Mahendran's Tamil film Nenjathai Killathe (1980). She established herself as a lead actress through the 1980s across South Indian film industries, appearing in titles including Palaivana Solai (1981), Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982), Koodevide? (1983), Adaminte Vaariyellu (1984), Bandhana (1984), Swathi (1984), Ente Upasana (1984), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Sirivennela (1986), Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (1987), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987), and Muthina Haara (1990). For her performance in Sindhu Bhairavi, she received the National Film Award for Best Actress. In addition to acting, she expanded into screenwriting and direction. She wrote and directed the television series Penn (1991) and made her feature directorial debut with Indira (1995), for which she also wrote the screenplay. She wrote dialogues for Mani Ratnam features including Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Iruvar (1997), and Raavanan (2010), and served as executive producer on Iruvar. She later directed and co-wrote the segment "Coffee, Anyone?" in the anthology film Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020). From the late 1990s onward, she transitioned into supporting and character roles, appearing in films such as Subhalagnam (1994), Amruthavarshini (1997), Vanaprastham (1999), Theerthadanam (2001), Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001), Leader (2010), Gabbar Singh (2012), Legend (2014), Masterpiece (2015), Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021), Pookkaalam (2023), and The Verdict (2025). Her streaming credits include Modern Love Hyderabad (2022), Jai Mahendran (2024), and Soul Stories (2024).
Acted in 152
2020s
- 2026
Hail Mary
Movie
Charukesi
Movie
Anantha
Movie
- 2025
Madhuram Jeevamruthabindu
Prabha
The Verdict
Mrs. Elisabeth 'Elisa' Sherman
- 2024
Soul Stories
Rani · 5 episodes
Jai Mahendran
Shobha · 6 episodes
Honeymoon Express
Tripura Sundari
- 2023
Spark: L.I.F.E.
Indhira
Mr. Pregnant
Dr. Vasudha
Pookkaalam
Clara
- 2022
Gurtunda Seetakalam
Movie
Focus
Pramodha Devi
Balamevvadu
Dr. Yashoda
Modern Love Hyderabad
Gangamma · 1 episode
Varnapatala
Movie
Malli Modalaindi
Suja
- 2021
- 2020
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Valli (segment "Coffee, Anyone?")
Tryst With Destiny
Movie
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
Jaya
2010s
- 2019
Ayushman Bhava
Movie
Boomerang
Aishwarya
- 2018
Ambi Ning Vayassaytho
Nandini
Sollividava
Movie
Tholi Prema
Aditya's Mother
- 2017
Okkadu Migiladu
Movie
Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2
Movie
Solo
Vidya Ramachandran
Nibunan
Mrs. Emmanuel
- 2016
Naani
Suraksha
Waiting
Pankaja
Viraat
Movie
- 2015
Masterpiece
Durga
Salt Mango Tree
Deepika
Love 24x7
Dr. Sarayu
Kanchana 2
Green TV Head
- 2014
Ramanujan
Komalatammal
Legend
Hero's Mother
Minugurulu
Kiranmai
- 2013
Kalimannu
Meera's neighbour & friend
Baadshah
Snehalatha
- 2012
Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara
Suguna
Gabbar Singh
Movie
- 2011
Sanju Weds Geetha
Movie
Seedan
Thangam
- 2010
Thillalangadi
Krishna's mother
Subhapradam
Movie
Eradane Maduve
Malavika
Varudu
Advocate Vasanthi
Leader
Rajeswari Devi
School Master
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Nammal Thammil
Rosy
Makante Achan
Rema
- 2008
Aegan
Kasthuri
Siddu from Srikakulam
Snehalatha
Pandurangadu
Satyabhama
- 2007
Takkari
Snehalatha
Satham Podathey
Gynecologist
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Kanaka
- 2006
Rakhi
Meenakshi Iyer
Amma Cheppindi
Saraswati, Bose's mother
Parijatham
Subhadra
Pachakuthira
Anandakuttan's and Akash's mother
- 2005
Allari Pidugu
Movie
- 2004
Shock
Exorcist
Pedababu
Movie
- 2003
Annavru
Gowri
Stumble
Movie
Eera Nilam
Chinnathaayi
Donga Ramadu and Party
Movie
Oka Raju Oka Rani
Movie
Vaseegara
Lakshmi
- 2002
Nammal
Snehalatha
Santosham
Snehalatha
- 2001
Chocklet
Saradha Jayachandran
Ellara Mane Dosenu
Movie
- 2000
Sakutumba Saparivara Sametam
Vaani
Yaarige Salutthe Sambala
Lakshmi
1990s
- 1999
Vanaprastham
Subhadra
- 1998
Hendithghelthini
Movie
Ooyala
Movie
Pelli Pandiri
Dr. Prabhavathi
- 1997
Amruthavarshini
Veena
Nandhini
Nandhini
Ganga Yamuna
Movie
Egire Paavurama
Yasodha
Bhaaratheeyam
Movie
- 1996
Ramudochadu
Arundathi (Cameo appearance)
Irattai Roja
Geetha
- 1995
Himapatha
Movie
- 1994
Subhalagnam
Meena
- 1993
Chinna Kannamma
Movie
- 1991
Amma
Movie
- 1990
Muthina Haara
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Bala Gopaludu
Movie
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam
Capt Alice Cherian
En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan
Movie
- 1988
Ramudu Bheemudu
Swathi
Varasudochadu
Movie
Dharmathin Thalaivan
Sumathi
Marana Mrudangam
Movie
En Bommukutty Ammavukku
Lakshmi
Aakhari Poratam
Sunadha Mala
Suprabhatha
Hema
- 1987
Manathil Uruthi Vendum
C. Nandhini
Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal
Neena
Aradhana
Movie
Ananda Aradhanai
Movie
Lawyer Suhasini
Suhasini
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam
Uma
Ezhuthappurangal
Rajalakshmi
- 1986
Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil
Janani
Pranamam
Usha
Rakshasudu
Movie
Chantabbai
Jwala
Sirivennela
Subhashini
Kirathakudu
Swetha
Hosa Neeru
Movie
- 1985
Sindhu Bhairavi
Sindhamani aka Sindhu
Katha Ithuvare
Rekha
Jackie
Movie
Kongumudi
Susheela
Sravanthi
Sravanti
- 1984
Ente Upasana
Lathika
Swathi
Swathi
Intiguttu
Movie
Mangamma Gari Manavadu
Movie
Challenge
Lakshmi
Adaminte Vaariyellu
Vasanthi
Bandhana
Nandhini
- 1983
Maga Maharaju
Movie
Koodevide?
Alice
Thai Veedu
Movie
Muddula Mogudu
Sarala
Uruvavugal Maralam
Lakshmi
- 1982
Manchu Pallaki
Geeta
Gopurangal Saivathillai
Arukkani
Azhagiya Kanne
Movie
Lottery Ticket
Movie
- 1981
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam
Parvathi
Palaivana Solai
Geetha
Kotha Jeevithalu
Movie
- 1980
Nenjathai Killathe
Viji
Wrote 5
2020s
- 2020
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Writer
2010s
- 2010
1990s
- 1997
Iruvar
Screenplay, Dialogue
- 1995
Indira
Dialogue, Story, Screenplay
- 1993
Thiruda Thiruda
Dialogue
Directed 2
2020s
- 2020
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Director
1990s
- 1995
Indira
Director
Produced 1
1990s
- 1997
Iruvar
Executive Producer
Appearances1
2020s
- 2021
Unstoppable with NBK
Self · 1 episode