Saranya Ponvannan, is an India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n film actress, who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language

Tamil language

Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

 films. Saranya made her debut in a lead role in Mani Ratnam

Mani Ratnam

Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...

's Nayagan

Nayagan

Nayagan is a Indian film, written, directed, and co-produced by Mani Ratnam which released on 21 October 1987 coinciding with Diwali. Upon release, the film got rave reviews across India. Kamal Hassan's performance as Velu Naiker earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also...

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

Character actor

A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...

, essaying supporting roles

Supporting character

A supporting character is a character of a book, play, video game, movie, television or radio show or other form of storytelling usually used to give added dimension to a main character, by adding a relationship with this character...

, particularly playing mother characters to lead artists. For her performances in films including Raam

Raam (film)

The music was scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, joining with director Ameer Sultan. The soundtrack, released on 12 January 2005, features 7 tracks, including one instrumental. The lyrics were written by Snehan...

(2005), Thavamai Thavamirundhu

Thavamai Thavamirundhu

Thavamai Thavamirundhu is a Tamil feature film directed by Cheran. It is a penetrating and artistic depiction of familial bond, underscored by a set of life value messages. It explores the father-son relationship, and particularly charts the travails an Indian father goes through in raising his sons...

(2005), Em Magan

Emmtan-Magan

Em Magan is a 2006 released, Tamil film. Bharath, Gopika and Nassar play the lead roles with Vadivelu and Saranya Ponvannan with other roles. The film is directed by Thirumurugan. Bharath is acting in this movie. Upon release, the film met with strong critical reception and commercial success...

(2006) and Kalavani

Kalavani

Kalavani , is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by newcomer A. Sargunam. It stars Vimal of Pasanga fame in the lead role along with debutante Oviya, Saranya Ponvannan, Ganja Karuppu and Ilavarasu, who enact pivotal roles...

(2010), she has received notable critical praise and several accolades, including three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress, while her performance in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru

Thenmerku Paruvakaatru

Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....

fetched her the National Film Award for Best Actress

National Film Award for Best Actress

The National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...

 in 2011. Saranya is the daughter of famous Malayalam film director A. B. Raj. She is married to a fellow actor, Ponvannan

Ponvannan

Ponvannan is an Indian film actor, who has played supporting roles throughout his career. He directed the award-winning film, Jamila. He is married to fellow actor, Saranya.- Tamil TV Serials -...

.

Career

Saranya made her debut in Mani Ratnam

Mani Ratnam

Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...

's Godfatheresque

The Godfather

The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...

 production, Nayagan

Nayagan

Nayagan is a Indian film, written, directed, and co-produced by Mani Ratnam which released on 21 October 1987 coinciding with Diwali. Upon release, the film got rave reviews across India. Kamal Hassan's performance as Velu Naiker earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also...

opposite Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...

, in which she performed the lead female character. The film, which went on to become a titanic success, became one of the only few films where she had essayed the lead female role.

After marriage in 1995, she settled down to domestic bliss, refusing to take up any film offers. In 2000, however, she was offered the lead role in the comedy television series, Veettukku Veedu Lootty, which she accepted. Subsequently, she decided to accept some good offers, enacting supporting roles. Her close friend is actress Sukanya. Since then she has appeared in many films in supporting roles most notably Raam

Raam (film)

The music was scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, joining with director Ameer Sultan. The soundtrack, released on 12 January 2005, features 7 tracks, including one instrumental. The lyrics were written by Snehan...

, Thavamai Thavamirundhu

Thavamai Thavamirundhu

Thavamai Thavamirundhu is a Tamil feature film directed by Cheran. It is a penetrating and artistic depiction of familial bond, underscored by a set of life value messages. It explores the father-son relationship, and particularly charts the travails an Indian father goes through in raising his sons...

and Em Magan. Her performance as Veerayi, a widowed mother torn between love and possessiveness, in the 2010 film Thenmerku Paruvakaatru

Thenmerku Paruvakaatru

Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....

- incidentally her 100th release - ultimately fetched her the National Film Award for Best Actress

National Film Award for Best Actress

The National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...

.

Awards

National Film Awards

National Film Awards

The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...

• Winner, 2011
  58th National Film Awards
  The 58th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2010.-Feature Films:Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central...
  
   - National Film Award for Best Actress
  National Film Award for Best Actress
  The National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...
  
   for Thenmerku Paruvakaatru
  Thenmerku Paruvakaatru
  Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....
  
  with citation as "For playing a fiercely combative single mother who shields her son to the point of sacrificing herself for the sake of his happiness."

Filmfare Awards

Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...

• 2005 - Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
  Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil)
  The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films....
  
   for Thavamai Thavamirundhu
  Thavamai Thavamirundhu
  Thavamai Thavamirundhu is a Tamil feature film directed by Cheran. It is a penetrating and artistic depiction of familial bond, underscored by a set of life value messages. It explores the father-son relationship, and particularly charts the travails an Indian father goes through in raising his sons...
  
  
• 2006 - Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
  Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil)
  The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films....
  
   for Em Magan
  Emmtan-Magan
  Em Magan is a 2006 released, Tamil film. Bharath, Gopika and Nassar play the lead roles with Vadivelu and Saranya Ponvannan with other roles. The film is directed by Thirumurugan. Bharath is acting in this movie. Upon release, the film met with strong critical reception and commercial success...
  
  
• 2010 - Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
  Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil)
  The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films....
  
   for Thenmerku Paruvakaatru
  Thenmerku Paruvakaatru
  Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....
  
  
• 2010 - Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
  Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Telugu)
  The Telugu Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Telugu films....
  
   for Puli
  Puli (film)
  Puli is a 2010 Telugu action film written and directed by S. J. Suryaah, starring Pawan Kalyan in the lead role, with Nikeesha Patel, Manoj Bajpai, Charan Raj, Nassar, Jyothi Krishna, Bhrahmaji, Ali and Girish Karnad in supporting roles and Shriya Saran appearing in an item number. The film...
  
  

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards are the most notable film awards given for Tamil films in India. They are given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The awards are decided by a committee headed by...

• 2006 - Winner, Best Supporting Actress
  Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
  The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films. The award was first given in 1968 and stopped after 1970. The award is being given after 2000.-The list:Here is a list of the award...
  
  , Em Magan
  Emmtan-Magan
  Em Magan is a 2006 released, Tamil film. Bharath, Gopika and Nassar play the lead roles with Vadivelu and Saranya Ponvannan with other roles. The film is directed by Thirumurugan. Bharath is acting in this movie. Upon release, the film met with strong critical reception and commercial success...
  
  

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Language	Notes
1987	Nayagan Nayagan Nayagan is a Indian film, written, directed, and co-produced by Mani Ratnam which released on 21 October 1987 coinciding with Diwali. Upon release, the film got rave reviews across India. Kamal Hassan's performance as Velu Naiker earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also...	Neela	Tamil
1988	Manasukkul Mathappu		Tamil	Remake of Thalavattam Thalavattam Thalavattam is a 1986 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Priyadarshan and starring Mohanlal, M. G. Soman and Karthika. The story is very loosely based on the english novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Thalavattam was remade in Hindi as Kyon Ki in 2005 by Priyadarshan himself...
	En Jeevan Paduthu En Jeevan Paduthu En Jeevan Paduthu is a 1988 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by R. Sundarrajan starring Karthik and Saranya in lead roles, supported by Sudha, Captain Raju and Kapil.-Summary:...		Tamil
	Neerajanam		Telugu
	Melam kottu thaali kattu		Tamil
	Dhaayam Onnu		Tamil
1989	Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil		Tamil
	Sagalakala Sammandhi		Tamil
	Artham Artham Artham is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Venu Nagavally. It stars Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Murali, Saranya, Parvathy, and Jayaram.-Plot:...		Malayalam
1990	Anjali Anjali (film) Anjali is a 1990 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Raghuvaran, Revathi, Prabhu, Tarun, Shruthi and Shamili. The musical film's score and soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja, being his 500th movie. Anjali is about a dying mentally disabled child, and the...		Tamil
1991	Vanakkam Vathiyare		Tamil
	Naan pudicha maappillai		Tamil
	Aanaval Mothiram Aanaval mothiram Aanaval Mothiram is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by G. S. Vijayan, written by T. Damodaran, and starring Sreenivasan, Suresh Gopi, Saranya Ponvannan, and Jagathy Sreekumar....	Annie	Malayalam
1992	Agni Paarvai		Tamil
1993	Meendum saavithri		Tamil
1994	Karuththamma Karuththamma Karuthamma is a Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. The film was noticed as a milestone in the Tamil Film Industry. Bharathiraja even told that this film is the finest one that he ever done...		Tamil
1995	Pasumpon		Tamil
2003	Alai Alai (film) Alai is a 2003 Indian Tamil romantic comedy film. The film stars Silambarasan, Trisha, Raghuvaran and Vivek. The film is directed by Vikram K Kumar. The score and soundtrack, composed by Vidyasagar, was released on April 2003. It flopped because of the release of Kaadhal Kondein...		Tamil
2004	Chatrapathy Chatrapathy Chatrapathi or Chatrapathy may refer to:*Chatrapathy , a 2004 Tamil film starring Sarath Kumar and Nikita Thukral*Chatrapathi , a 2005 Telugu film starring Prabhas and Shriya Saran...		Tamil
	Arul Arul -Box office:The film opened in 170 screens throughout Tamil Nadu. It was a below average grosser in spite of Vikram's star power and such a big release.-Trivia:...		Tamil
	Adhu Adhu Adhu is a 2004 Tamil horror film directed by Ramesh Krishnan, starring Sneha in the lead role, who plays the role of a spirit possessed girl...		Tamil
	Ramakrishna		Tamil
2005	Ayodhya	Jameela	Tamil
	Raam Raam (film) The music was scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, joining with director Ameer Sultan. The soundtrack, released on 12 January 2005, features 7 tracks, including one instrumental. The lyrics were written by Snehan...	Saradha	Tamil
	Sivakasi Sivakasi (film) Sivakasi is a Tamil action-masala film directed by Perarasu, starring Vijay, Asin and Prakash Raj in lead roles. Nayantara perform in an item number. The film's music is composed by Srikanth Deva. The film released during Diwali 2005 and was declared a "blockbuster". It was leter remade into...	Kayalvizhi Udhayappa	Tamil
	Thavamai Thavamirundhu Thavamai Thavamirundhu Thavamai Thavamirundhu is a Tamil feature film directed by Cheran. It is a penetrating and artistic depiction of familial bond, underscored by a set of life value messages. It explores the father-son relationship, and particularly charts the travails an Indian father goes through in raising his sons...	Saradha Muthiah	Tamil	Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil) The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films....
2006	Em Magan Emmtan-Magan Em Magan is a 2006 released, Tamil film. Bharath, Gopika and Nassar play the lead roles with Vadivelu and Saranya Ponvannan with other roles. The film is directed by Thirumurugan. Bharath is acting in this movie. Upon release, the film met with strong critical reception and commercial success...	Selvi Thirumalai	Tamil	Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil) The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films.... Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Best Supporting Actress Award
	Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam		Tamil
	Adaikkalam		Tamil
	Rakhi Rakhi Raksha Bandhan , , , or Rakhi , is a festival primarily observed in India, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in certain parts of India, like the south. The festival is observed by Hindus and Jains...		Telugu
2007	Thirumagan Thirumagan Thirumagan is a Tamil film directed by Ratnakumar. The film stars S.J. Suryah, Meera Jasmine, Malavika, Karthika and Prreethi Varma in the lead roles. The film was shot completely in Tirunelveli. The film is a village story based on the relationships between a father and son.-Cast:-External links:**...	Jayakodi	Tamil
	Kireedam Kireedam (2007 film) Kireedam is a 2007 Tamil film directed by A. L. Vijay, who made his directorial debut with the film. The film was a reworked version of Sibi Malayil's 1989 Malayalam classic film, Kireedam starring Mohanlal, with Na. Muthukumar assisting with writing the dialogues...		Tamil
	Pirappu	Kaliamman	Tamil
	Vel Vel (film) Vel is a 2007 Tamil action-drama film written and directed by Hari and produced by Mohan Natarajan. It stars Suriya and Asin and features Vadivelu, Kalabhavan Mani and Nassar in supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film was released on 9...		Tamil
	Puli Varudhu Puli Varudhu Puli Varudhu is a Tamil movie starring Githan Ramesh and Mallika Kapoor in the lead roles, directed by G. V. Kumar.-Plot:Ramesh son of Manivannan and Saranya. Manivannan is the leading Ad-Film maker. Karupa and other friends stay in Ramesh's house as paying guests. Ramesh's parents treat them as...		Tamil
2008	Pidichirukku Pidichirukku Pidichirukku is a 2008 Tamil romantic drama film, directed by Kanagu, starring Ashok, Vishakha Singh, Sampath Raj, Ganja Karuppu and Saranya Ponvannan. The cinematography is by Tha. V. Rameswaran and Manu Ramesan scored the music. 'Pidichirukku' was the title which N. Linguswamy was about to use...		Tamil
	Nenjadhai Killadhe		Tamil
	Singakutty Singakutty Singakutty is a drama Tamil film starring Sivaji, Gauri Munjal and Malavika, released in 2008.stunt master Anal arasu was acting as a negative role named as Muthu pandi....		Tamil
	Vilaiyattu		Tamil
	Kuruvi Kuruvi Kuruvi is a 2008 Tamil Action film. Directed and co-written by Dharani and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin, it stars Joseph Vijay, Trisha Krishnan and Suman in the lead roles...		Tamil
	Pandi Pandi (film) Pandi is a Tamil language film set to be released in 2008. It stars Raghava Lawrence and Sneha in the lead roles. The film released on 23 May 2008. This movie was much talked because of Sneha's glamour and it was a moderate success.-Plot:...	Sivakami	Tamil
	Thenavattu Thenavattu Thenavattu is an Indian Tamil action film directed by V. V. Kathir, starring Jeeva and Poonam Bajwa in the lead roles, whilst, Ganja Karuppu played a pivotal role. The film, upon release, was criticized by critics for being "silly and ridiculous"...	Vazhuvanthal	Tamil
	Dindigul Sarathy Dindigul Sarathy Dindigul Sarathy is a 2008 Indian Tamil language Drama film directed by Subramaniam Pillai starring Karunaas, Karthika, Livingston, Nassar, Saranya, Puja Bharati, M. S. Baskar, Periyar Dasan, Manobala, Mayilsamy and Shanumuga Rajan...	Saradha	Tamil
	Ready		Telugu
2009	Yavarum Nalam Yavarum Nalam Yavarum Nalam is a 2009 Indian horror film directed by Vikram Kumar, starring R. Madhavan and Neetu Chandra in the lead roles. Produced by Suresh Balaje and George Pius, the film was simultaneously filmed and released in Tamil and also Hindi as 13B with a slightly different cast. The film's...		Tamil
2010	Police Quarters		Kannada
	Bayam Ariyaan	Saraswathi	Tamil
	Kalavani Kalavani Kalavani , is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by newcomer A. Sargunam. It stars Vimal of Pasanga fame in the lead role along with debutante Oviya, Saranya Ponvannan, Ganja Karuppu and Ilavarasu, who enact pivotal roles...	Lakshmi Ramasamy	Tamil
	Guru Sishyan Guru Sishyan (2010 film) Guru Sishyan is a Tamil language film released on 2010. It stars Sathyaraj and Sundar C in the lead roles. It is directed by Sakthi Chidamabaram-Cast:* Sathyaraj as Guru Moorthy* Sundar C as Eeti* Sruthi Prakash* Santhanam...	Mahalakshmi	Tamil
	Magane En Marumagane Magane En Marumagane Magane En Marumagane is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by T. P. Gajendran. The film stars Vivek, Mithun, Saranya, Yamini Sharma and Nassar in lead roles.- Plot :...		Tamil
	Thambikku Indha Ooru Thambikku Indha Ooru -External links:* at Oneindia.in...		Tamil
	Vedam Vedam (film) Vedam is a 2010 Telugu drama film written and directed by Krish, starring Allu Arjun, Manoj Kumar Manchu, Anushka Shetty, Manoj Bajpai,Saranya Ponvannan, Deeksha Seth, Lekha Washington, and Siya Gautham. The film was critically acclaimed, received several accolades including four Filmfare Awards...		Telugu
	Komaram Puli		Telugu	Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Telugu
	Naane Ennul Illai Naane Ennul Illai Naane Ennul Illai is a Tamil film written and directed by former actress Jayachitra, starring her son Amresh Ganesh, in his acting debut, and Arya Menon in the lead roles, with Nassar, Visu, Gangai Amaran, Saranya, Kuyili, Raghav Ranganathan, Sathyapriya and Mohan Sharma playing supporting roles...		Tamil
	Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....	Veerayi	Tamil	Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress National Film Award for Best Actress The National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry... Winner, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress The Vijay for Best Supporting Actress is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.-Nominations:... Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil
2011	Muthukku Muthaaga Muthukku Muthaaga Muthukku Muthaaga is a Tamil comedy film Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Rasu Madhuravan. It stars Natraj, Vikranth, Harish, Oviya, Monica, Ilavarasu and Saranya Ponvannan.-Cast:* Ilavarasu as Thavasi* Saranya Ponvannan as Pechi...	Pechi	Tamil
	Vaanam Vaanam Vaanam is an Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Krish. A remake of his 2010 Telugu film Vedam, the film features an ensemble cast of Silambarasan, Bharath, Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj and Saranya...		Tamil
	Sadhurangam		Tamil
	Maharaja		Tamil	delayed
	Vaanam Paartha Seemaiyile		Tamil	Filming

External links