Saranya Ponvannan
Known for Acting · 120 credits
- Born
- 1970-04-26 (age 56)
- Place of birth
- Alappuzha, Kerala, India
- Also known as
- Sheela
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.
Known For
Movies (120)
Nani's Gang Leader
2019
as Varalakshmi
Yavarum Nalam
2009
as Manohar's Mother
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
2025
as Ponni
Bha. Bha. Ba.
2025
as Vaavamani
Muthukku Muthaaga
2011
as Pechi
Manasukkul Mathappu
1988
as Seema
Kushi
2023
Neerparavai
2012
as Mary
Velaiyilla Pattathari 2
2017
as Bhuvana
Etharkkum Thunindhavan
2022
as Kosalai
24
2016
as Sathyabama
Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam
2006
as Saradha
Junga
2018
as Junga's mother
Varalaru Mukkiyam
2022
Naiyaandi
2013
Manam
2014
as Seetharamudu's Mother
Chup
2022
as Mrs. Menon
Velaiyilla Pattathari
2014
as Bhuvana
Nayakan
1987
as Neela
The Villain
2018
as Vishalavva
Aanaval Mothiram
1991
as Annie
Kutti Puli
2013
as Dheivaanai
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
2018
as Chembammal
Colors
2009
as Lt.col.Dr Rajalakshmi
Kodi
2016
as Kodi and Anbu's Mother
Sashi
2021
Arul
2004
Thenmerku Paruvakatru
2010
as Veerayi
Bhoomi
2021
as Bhoominathan's Mother
Kottai Vaasal
1992
Vel
2007
as Vasu and Vel's mother
All in All Azhagu Raja
2013
as Meenakshi Muthukrishnan
Thirumagan
2007
as Jayakodi
Pasumpon
1995
as Malar
Karuththamma
1994
as Periyakanni
Em Magan
2006
as Krishna's Mother
Remo
2016
as Arun's Mother
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi
2012
as Shenbagam Saravanan's mother
Cheppukilukkana Changathi
1991
as Manikutty
Viruman
2022
as Muthulakshmi
Raju Bhai
2007
Maha Samudram
2021
as Arjun's mother
Sadhurangam
2011
Meendum Savithri
1996
as Uma
Seevalaperi Pandi
1994
as Velammal
Achamindri
2016
Bun Butter Jam
2025
as Lalitha
Sivakasi
2005
as Kayalvizhi
Artham
1989
as Manasa
Naan Sigappu Manithan
2014
as Sumathi
Ennamo Nadakkudhu
2014
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan
1991
as Mallika
Bangalore Naatkal
2016
as Kannan's mother
Dindigul Sarathy
2008
as Sarathy's Mother
Adhu
2004
as Meera's Mother
Vatthikuchi
2013
as Sakthi's mother
Kireedam
2007
as Shakti's Mother
MGR Magan
2021
as Rasaathi
Rakhi
2006
as Gowri's Mother
Komaram Puli
2010
as Puli's Mother
Vedam
2010
as Padma
Ready
2008
Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan
2024
as Burma's Mother
Sigappu Thali
1988
Conjuring Kannappan
2023
as Lakshmi
Anjali
1990
as Dr. Sheela
Alai
2003
Brahmotsavam
2016
as Ajay's Relative
Injakkadan Mathai & Sons
1993
as Beena
Kolamavu Kokila
2018
as Kokila's Mother
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
2018
as Aiyappan's Mother
Inba Twinkle Lilly
2018
as Inbaa
Katha Nayagan
2017
as Thambidurai's Mother
Mannar Vagaiyara
2018
as Ilaiyarani's mother
Nagabandham
2026
as Padmamma
Guru Sishyan
2010
as Mahalakshmi
Pidichirukku
2008
Dhayam Onnu
1988
as Rita
Kuruvi
2008
as Koccha's Wife
Dollar
1993
as Lucy
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga
1990
Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
2016
Kallapart
Jeyikkira Kuthira
Chatrapathy
2004
as Saravanan's Sister
Chaarulatha
2012
as Charu and Latha's mother
Pappali
2014
Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal
2014
as Yasothammal
Kalavani
2010
as Lakshmi
Jagadam
2007
Ennum Nanmakal
1991
as Indu
Magane En Marumagane
2010
as Jameendar's wife
Nenjathai Killadhe
2008
Appaji
1996
Magalir Mattum
2017
as Subbu
Thambikku Indha Ooru
2010
Thavamai Thavamiruntu
2005
as Sarada
Dasarathan
1993
Brother
2024
as Hemamalini
Thenavattu
2008
Vaanam
2011
as Lakshmi
Raam
2005
as Saradha
Sakalakala Sammandi
1989
Melangottu Thalikattu
1988
Singakutty
2008
Kalavani 2
2019
En Jeevan Paaduthu
1988
as Narmada
Vanakkam Vathiyare
1991
Paandi
2008
as Sivakami
Pirappu
2007
as Kaliammal, Kannan's adoptive mother
Puli Varudhu
2007
Adaikalam
2006
as Kasthuri
Bayam Ariyan
2010
as Vinoth's Mother
Ente Sreekuttikku
1993
as Nandini
Aruva Sanda
2022
Mazhaikaalam
2012
Naan Pudicha Mappillai
1991
Meesai Madhavan
2004
as Devi, Vignesh's mother
Amma Ammamma
2014
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil
1989
as Preethy
About Saranya Ponvannan
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 (20… With 120 credits spanning from 1987 to 2026, Saranya Ponvannan has appeared in 120 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Saranya Ponvannan movies, Saranya Ponvannan filmography, or the latest projects starring Saranya Ponvannan can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Saranya Ponvannan Movies
- Nani's Gang Leader (2019) — as Varalakshmi
- Yavarum Nalam (2009) — as Manohar's Mother
- Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (2025) — as Ponni
- Bha. Bha. Ba. (2025) — as Vaavamani
- Muthukku Muthaaga (2011) — as Pechi
Where to Watch Saranya Ponvannan Films
Most Saranya Ponvannan movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Saranya Ponvannan, check our movies catalogue and browse page.