Acting · Alappuzha, Kerala, India · Born April 26, 1970
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.
MovieNagabandham: The Secret Treasure
2026
as Padmamma
MovieBha. Bha. Ba.
2025
as Vaavamani
MovieBun Butter Jam
2025
as Lalitha
MovieNilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
2025
as Ponni
MovieBrother
2024
as Hemamalini
MovieMazhai Pidikatha Manithan
2024
as Burma's Mother
MovieConjuring Kannappan
2023
as Lakshmi
MovieKushi
2023
MovieAruva Sanda
2022
MovieVaralaru Mukkiyam
2022
MovieChup
2022
as Mrs. Menon
MovieViruman
2022
as Muthulakshmi
MovieEtharkkum Thunindhavan
2022
as Kosalai
MovieMGR Magan
2021
as Rasaathi
MovieMaha Samudram
2021
as Arjun's mother
MovieSashi
2021
MovieBhoomi
2021
as Bhoominathan's Mother
MovieNani's Gang Leader
2019
as Varalakshmi
MovieKalavani 2
2019
MovieOru Kuprasidha Payyan
2018
as Chembammal
MovieMarainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
2018
as Aiyappan's Mother
MovieKolamavu Kokila
2018
as Kokila's Mother
MovieJunga
2018
as Junga's mother
MovieInba Twinkle Lilly
2018
as Inbaa
MovieThe Villain
2018
as Vishalavva
MovieMannar Vagaiyara
2018
as Ilaiyarani's mother
MovieMagalir Mattum
2017
as Subbu
MovieKatha Nayagan
2017
as Thambidurai's Mother
MovieVelaiyilla Pattathari 2
2017
as Bhuvana
MovieAchamindri
2016
MovieKodi
2016
as Kodi and Anbu's Mother
MovieRemo
2016
as Arun's Mother
MovieTamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
2016
MovieBrahmotsavam
2016
Movie24
2016
as Sathyabama
MovieBangalore Naatkal
2016
as Kannan's mother
MovieVelaiyilla Pattathari
2014
as Bhuvana
Pappali
2014
Amma Ammamma
2014
MovieManam
2014
as Seetharamudu's Mother
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
2014
MovieNaan Sigappu Manithan
2014
as Sumathi
MovieIdhu Kathirvelan Kadhal
2014
as Yasothammal
MovieAll in All Azhagu Raja
2013
as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
MovieNaiyaandi
2013
MovieKutti Puli
2013
as Dheivaanai
MovieVatthikuchi
2013
as Sakthi's mother
MovieNeerparavai
2012
as Mary
MovieChaarulatha
2012
as Charu and Latha's mother
MovieOru Kal Oru Kannadi
2012
as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
MovieMazhaikaalam
2012
Sadhurangam
2011
MovieVaanam
2011
as Lakshmi
MovieMuthukku Muthaaga
2011
as Pechi
MovieThenmerku Paruvakatru
2010
as Veerayi
MovieKomaram Puli
2010
as Puli's Mother
MovieKalavani
2010
as Lakshmi
MovieVedam
2010
as Padma
MovieMagane En Marumagane
2010
as Jameendar's wife
MovieGuru Sishyan
2010
as Mahalakshmi
Bayam Ariyan
2010
as Vinoth's Mother
MovieThambikku Indha Ooru
2010
MovieYavarum Nalam
2009
as Manohar's Mother
MovieColors
2009
as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
MovieDindigul Sarathy
2008
as Sarathy's Mother
MovieThenavattu
2008
MovieReady
2008
MoviePaandi
2008
as Sivakami
MovieKuruvi
2008
as Koccha's Wife
Singakutty
2008
MovieNenjathai Killadhe
2008
MoviePidichirukku
2008
MoviePuli Varudhu
2007
MovieVel
2007
as Mrs Thiyagarajan
MovieKireedam
2007
as Shakti's Mother
MoviePirappu
2007
as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
MovieRaju Bhai
2007
MovieJagadam
2007
MovieThirumagan
2007
as Jayakodi
Adaikalam
2006
as Kasthuri
MovieRakhi
2006
as Gowri's Mother
MovieThiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
2006
as Saradha
MovieEm Magan
2006
as Krishna's Mother
MovieSivakasi
2005
as Kayalvizhi
MovieThavamai Thavamiruntu
2005
as Sarada
MovieRaam
2005
as Saradha
MovieMeesai Madhavan
2004
as Devi, Vignesh's mother
MovieAdhu
2004
as Meera's Mother
MovieArul
2004
MovieChatrapathy
2004
as Saravanan's Sister
MovieAlai
2003
MovieMeendum Savithri
1996
as Uma
MovieAppaji
1996
Pasumpon
1995
as Malar
MovieKaruththamma
1994
as Periyakanni
Seevalaperi Pandi
1994
as Velammal
MovieDollar
1993
as Lucy
MovieInjakkadan Mathai & Sons
1993
as Beena
Dasarathan
1993
Ente Sreekuttikku
1993
as Nandini
Kottai Vaasal
1992
Agni Paarvai
1992
as Seetha
Cheppukilukkana Changathi
1991
as Manikutty
MovieAanaval Mothiram
1991
as Annie
MovieNaan Pudicha Mappillai
1991
MovieEnnum Nanmakal
1991
as Indu
Vanakkam Vathiyare
1991
MovieAakasha Kottayile Sultan
1991
as Mallika
MovieAnjali
1990
as Dr. Sheela
MovieUlagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1990
MovieArtham
1989
as Manasa
MovieSakalakala Sammandi
1989
MovieAndru Peytha Mazhaiyil
1989
as Preethy
Melangottu Thalikattu
1988
Dhayam Onnu
1988
as Rita
En Jeevan Paaduthu
1988
as Narmada
Manasukkul Mathappu
1988
as Seema
Sigappu Thali
1988
MovieNayakan
1987
as Neela
MovieKallapart
MovieJeyikkira Kuthira
