Biography
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 103
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
Bha. Bha. Ba.
Vaavamani
Bun Butter Jam
Lalitha
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
Ponni
- 2024
Brother
Hemamalini
Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan
Burma's Mother
- 2023
- 2022
Aruva Sanda
Movie
Chup
Mrs. Menon
Viruman
Muthulakshmi
- 2021
Sashi
Movie
Bhoomi
Bhoominathan's Mother
2010s
- 2019
Kalavani 2
Movie
- 2018
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
Chembammal
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
Aiyappan's Mother
Junga
Junga's mother
Inba Twinkle Lilly
Inbaa
The Villain
Vishalavva
Mannar Vagaiyara
Ilaiyarani's mother
- 2017
Magalir Mattum
Subbu
Katha Nayagan
Thambidurai's Mother
Velaiyilla Pattathari 2
Bhuvana
- 2016
Achamindri
Movie
Kodi
Kodi and Anbu's Mother
Remo
Arun's Mother
Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
Movie
Brahmotsavam
Ajay's Relative
Bangalore Naatkal
Kannan's mother
- 2014
Velaiyilla Pattathari
Bhuvana
Manam
Seetharamudu's Mother
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Sumathi
Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal
Yasothammal
- 2013
All in All Azhagu Raja
Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
Naiyaandi
Movie
Kutti Puli
Dheivaanai
Vatthikuchi
Sakthi's mother
- 2012
Chaarulatha
Charu and Latha's mother
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi
Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
Mazhaikaalam
Movie
- 2011
Vaanam
Lakshmi
- 2010
Thenmerku Paruvakatru
Veerayi
Komaram Puli
Puli's Mother
Kalavani
Lakshmi
Vedam
Padma
Magane En Marumagane
Jameendar's wife
Guru Sishyan
Mahalakshmi
Pulliman
Yashoda Panicker
Thambikku Indha Ooru
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Colors
Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
- 2008
Dindigul Sarathy
Sarathy's Mother
Thenavattu
Movie
Paandi
Sivakami
Kuruvi
Koccha's Wife
Nenjathai Killadhe
Movie
Pidichirukku
Movie
- 2007
Puli Varudhu
Movie
Vel
Mrs Thiyagarajan
Kireedam
Shakti's Mother
Pirappu
Kaliammal
Raju Bhai
Movie
Jagadam
Movie
Thirumagan
Jayakodi
- 2006
Rakhi
Gowri's Mother
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
Saradha
Em Magan
Krishna's Mother
- 2005
Sivakasi
Kayalvizhi
Thavamai Thavamirundhu
Sarada
Raam
Saradha
- 2004
Meesai Madhavan
Devi, Vignesh's mother
Adhu
Meera's Mother
Arul
Movie
Chatrapathy
Saravanan's Sister
- 2003
Alai
Movie
1990s
- 1996
Meendum Savithri
Uma
Appaji
Movie
- 1994
- 1993
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons
Beena
- 1991
Aanaval Mothiram
Annie
Naan Pudicha Mappillai
Lakshmi
Ennum Nanmakal
Indu
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan
Mallika
- 1990
Anjali
Dr. Sheela
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
Quarter Govindan's sister
1980s
- 1989
Artham
Manasa
Sakalakala Sammandi
Movie
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil
Preethy
- 1987
Nayakan
Neela
No release date
Kallapart
Movie
Jeyikkira Kuthira
Movie