Saranya Ponvannan

2021-08-06T12:38:11Z

2A01:CB00:19:5C00:4C61:751A:DDC:3A37: /* Filmography */

{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Saranya Ponvannan
| image = Saranya Ponvannan at Saivam Audio Launch.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Sheela Christina<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wcc.edu.in/alumnae/distinguished-alumnae/|title=Distinguished Alumnae|website=Women's Christian College|language=en-US|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|04|26}}
| birth_place = [[Allappuzha]], [[Kerala]], India
| yearsactive = 1987–1996 2000 (television) 2003–present
| occupation = Actress
| spouse =
[[Ponvannan]] (m.1995-present)
| children = 2
| parents = [[A. B. Raj]] (Father)
}}
'''Saranya Ponvannan''' (born '''Sheela Christina'''; 26 April 1970) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], and [[Malayalam]] language films. Saranya made her debut in a lead role in [[Mani Ratnam]]'s ''[[Nayakan]]'' (1987) and went on to play lead roles from 1987-1996. Following an eight-year [[sabbatical]], she returned to films in 2003 as a [[character actor]], specializing in "mother of the hero" roles.

==Career==

Saranya made her Tamil debut in [[Mani Ratnam]]'s production ''[[Nayakan]],'' as the female lead opposite [[Kamal Haasan]] in 1987.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> She made her first Telugu appearance in 1988 film ''Neerajanam;'' her Malayalam debut was a year later in the 1989 film ''[[Artham]]'' starring opposite [[Mamooty]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/141018/screen-mother-to-superstar.html|title=Screen-mother to Superstar|last=Nair|first=Vidya|date=14 October 2018|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}</ref> In 1996 almost during the end of her career as a lead actress she debuted in Kannada cinema in ''[[Appaji]]''.

After marriage in 1995, she quit from acting. However, in 2000 she appeared playing the lead role in the comedy television series, ''Veettukku Veedu Lootty'', and subsequently accepted some supporting roles in other projects.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/11/25/stories/2006112500390100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105130839/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/11/25/stories/2006112500390100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|title=Back into form with a bang|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=30 October 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=25 November 2006}}</ref> During 2006 she appeared in family-drama serial ''Mugangal'', which aired on Sun TV.

After a break from films she made a comeback in 2003 Tamil film ''[[Alai (film)|Alai]]'' opposite [[Raghuvaran]] as [[Silambarasan]] 's mother. Since then she has been noted for her "mother" roles in films most notably ''[[Raam (2005 film)|Raam]]'', ''[[Thavamai Thavamirundhu]]'' and ''[[Em Magan]]'' in the mid-2000s.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/15/stories/2005121516900200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513074212/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/15/stories/2005121516900200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2006|title=An actress who plays her roles with aplomb|last=Ashok Kumar|first=S.R.|date=15 December 2005|access-date=3 December 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Her performance as Veerayi, a widowed mother torn between love and possessiveness, in the 2010 film ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]'' – her 100th release – earned her the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/chennai/29563898_1_female-actor-bagging-awards-tamil-movie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105135246/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-20/chennai/29563898_1_female-actor-bagging-awards-tamil-movie|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|title=Best actor – female: Saranya Ponvannan takes it in her stride|date=20 May 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> Her major breakthrough was 2005 Tamil film ''[[Thavamai Thavamirundhu]]'' after which she established herself as a prominent and leading actress in South India. As of 2017, she was one of the highest paid character actresses in the south Indian film industry.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com" />

In 2014, she launched Design & School of Fashion Technology (DSOFT), a fashion institute at Virugamakkam, Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/may/13/saranya-ponvannan-nobody-calls-me-madam-on-the-sets-im-always-their-amma-1814234.html|title=Saranya Ponvannan: Nobody calls me 'madam' on the sets, I'm always their 'Amma'|last=Subhakeerthana|first=S|date=14 May 2018|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/meet-the-multi-talented-amma-of-kollywood/article19872070.ece|title=Meet the multi-talented Amma|last=Anantharam|first=Chitra Deepa|date=16 October 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

She has also played the role of villain in ''[[Achamindri]]'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://silverscreen.in/tamil/features/ms-en-scene-in-praise-of-saranya-ponvannan-the-mother-that-i-never-had/|title=Ms. En Scene: In Praise Of Saranya Ponvannan, The Mother That I Never Had|last=Krishnakumar|first=Ranjani|date=13 August 2018|work=Silverscreen|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/231216/saranya-ponvannan-from-adorable-mom-to-angry-woman.html|title=Saranya Ponvannan: From adorable mom to angry woman|last=Subramamian|first=Anupama|date=23 December 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, she had only three releases. She starred in the sequel of 2014 Tamil film ''[[Velaiilla Pattadhari 2|Velaiyilla Pattathari]],'' reprising the role of Bhuvana, in a cameo appearance. The character had died in the original film, but the filmmakers wanted her to appear in the sequel, because of her part in the former's success.
Her second venture was with [[Vishnu Vishal]] in the film ''[[Katha Nayagan (2017 film)|Katha Nayagan]],'' playing the mother of [[Vishnu Vishal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kollywood-movie-review/kathanayagan-movie-review-vishnu-catherine-tresa-star-rating-4832886/|title=Kathanayagan review: This Vishnu Vishal film produces intermittent smiles rather than laughs|date=9 September 2017|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>
Later she starred in ''[[Magalir Mattum (2017 film)|Magalir Mattum]]'', a women-centric film, in which she played alongside [[Jyothika]], Oorvasi and Bhanupriya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/magalir-mattum-movie-review-this-jyothika-film-is-message-heavy-yet-heartwarming/story-SfOTdSvMZBKyOGizqLHJiP.html|title=Magalir Mattum movie review: Not without flaws but a film made with a lot of heart|last=Kumar|first=Karthik|date=14 September 2017|website=Hindustan times|language=en|access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, she was first seen in comedy-family drama ''[[Mannar Vagaiyara]]'' as [[Vemal]]'s mother; her comedy timing was well received, however ''[[Itly]]'' was released and opened to negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/300618/itly-movie-review-tamil-film-saranya-ponvannan-kovai-sarala-kalpana.html|title=Itly movie review: Potential riotous laugh let down by weak writing|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=30 June 2018|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=3 December 2018|language=en}}</ref>
Later she was seen in [[Vijay Sethupathi]]'s ''[[Junga (film)|Junga]]'' and [[Nayanthara]]'s ''[[Kolamavu Kokila]]'' as the mother of Kokila<ref name=":2" /> who although affected by lung cancer, assists her daughter in smuggling cocaine.

She took on the role of Vishalavva, mother to [[Shiva Rajkumar]]'s character in Kannada movie ''[[The Villain (2018 film)|The Villain]]'' directed by [[Prem (film director)|Prem]] in 2018. Later she was seen in [[Madhupal]]'s Malayalam thriller drama ''[[Oru Kuprasidha Payyan]]'' playing Chembammal.

She signed to reprise the role of Lakshmi in ''[[Kalavani 2]]''. Her first Telugu release of the year was ''[[Gang Leader (2019 film)|Gang Leader]]'' where she played the lead role Varalakshmi alongside [[Nani (actor)|Nani]].

==Personal life==
She was born in a [[Christians|Christian]] family at [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]] and is the daughter of Malayalam film director [[A. B. Raj]]<ref name="20 May 2011">{{cite news|url=http://www.malayalammovies.org/news/national-awards-malayalam-film-adaminte-makan-abu-best-feature-film-salim-kumar-best-actor|title=National Film Awards: Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu' Best feature film, Salim Kumar Best actor|date=11 June 2011|work=Malayalam Movies|access-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415092251/http://www.mallumovies.org/news/national-awards-malayalam-film-adaminte-makan-abu-best-feature-film-salim-kumar-best-actor|archive-date=15 April 2013}}</ref> who directed over 75 films.
Saranya married actor-director [[Ponvannan]] in 1995 and the couple has two daughters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-saranya-ponvannan/20110621.htm#1|title=I never expected the National Award|date=21 June 2011|work=Rediff|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>

==Awards==
;[[National Film Awards]]
* [[58th National Film Awards|2011]]—[[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]''

;[[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]
* 2006 – [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Emmtan-Magan|Em Magan]]''
* 2010 – [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Kalavani]]''

;[[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]]
Winnings:
* 2005 – Winner—[[Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Tamil)|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Thavamai Thavamirundhu]]''
* 2006 – Winner—Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Emmtan-Magan|Em Magan]]''
* 2011 – Winner—Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Nominees of Idea Filmfare Awards South|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/67252.html|publisher=IndiaGlitz|access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref>
* 2012 – Winner—Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Neerparavai]]''
* 2019 - Winner- Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Kolamavu Kokila]]''
Nominations:
* 2005 - Nominated- Best Supporting Actress - Tamil for ''[[Raam (2005 film)|Raam]]''
* 2012 - Nominated- Best Supporting Actress - Tamil for ''[[Oru Kal Oru Kannadi]]''
*2010 – Nominated—[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Telugu]] for ''[[Puli (2010 film)|Puli]]''
*2014 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress - Tamil for ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]''
*2016 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress - Tamil for ''[[Kodi (film)|Kodi]]''

;[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
* 2013 – Winner—Best Actress in a Supporting Role for ''[[Neerparavai]]''
* 2014 – Nominated–Best Actress in a Supporting Role for ''[[Kutti Puli]]''
* 2015 – Winner—Best Actress in a Supporting Role for ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]''
* 2019 – Nominated–Best Actress in a Supporting Role for ''[[Kolamavu Kokila]]''

;[[Ananda Vikatan Awards]]
*2010 – Winner–Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Kalavani]]''
*2014 – Winner–Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Ennamo Nadakkudhu]]'' & ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]''

;[[Vijay Awards]]
* 2011 – Winner—[[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=saranya+ponvannan&pg=PA511|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013|last=Dhananjayan|first=G|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9789384301057|location=Chennai|pages=511}}</ref>
*2013 - Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Oru Kal Oru Kannadi]]''
*2015 – Nominated–[[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]''

;[[Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards]]
*2011 - Winner-Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]''
*2013 - Winner-Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Oru Kal Oru Kannadi]]''
*2014 - Nominated-Best Supporting Actress for''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]''

;[[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Awards]]
*2011 - Winner-Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]''

;JFW Awards
*2014 - Women Achiever of the year

;JFW Movie Awards
*2019 - Best Supporting Actress for ''[[Kolamavu Kokila]]''

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Language
! Notes
|-
||1987 || ''[[Nayakan]]'' || Neela || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || Debut film
|-
|rowspan="6"|1988 || ''[[Manasukkul Mathappu]]'' || Dr.Geetha || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[En Jeevan Paduthu]]'' || Narmada || Tamil ||
|-
| ''Neerajanam'' || Jaya || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ||
|-
| ''Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Sivapputhaali]]'' || Keerthana|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''Dhaayam Onnu'' ||Preetha || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="5"|1989 || ''[[Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil]]'' || Preethi|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''Sakalakala Sammandhi'' || Uma || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Karunguyil Kundram]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Artham]]'' || Manasa || [[Malayalam]] ||
|-
| ''[[Premada Geetheye]]'' || Nanda || [[Kannada]] ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|1990 || ''[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]'' || Dr. Sheela || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="6"|1991 || ''[[Vanakkam Vathiyare]]'' ||Sundari || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Naan Pudicha Mappillai]]'' || Lakshmi|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Aakasha Kottayile Sultan]]'' || Mallika || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Cheppukilukkana Changathi]]'' || Manikutty || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Aanaval Mothiram]]'' || Annie || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Ennum Nanmakal]]'' ||Indu || Malayalam ||
|-
|rowspan="3"|1992 || ''[[Agni Paarvai]]'' || Seetha || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Kottai Vaasal]]'' || Rekha || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Sahasam (1992 film)|Sahasam]]'' || Rekha|| Telugu ||
|-
|rowspan="5"|1993 || ''[[Dasarathan]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Magrib (film)|Magrib]]'' || Aarifa || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Journalist (1993 film)|Journalist]]'' || Ranjini|| Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Ente Sreekuttikku]]'' ||Nandhini || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Injakkadan Mathai & Sons]]'' || Beena || Malayalam ||
|-
|rowspan="3"|1994 || ''Dollar'' ||Lusie || Malayalam ||
|-
|''[[Karuththamma]]'' || Ponnatha|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Seevalaperi Pandi]]'' || Velammal || Tamil ||
|-
||1995 || ''[[Pasumpon]]'' || Malar || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="3"|1996 || ''[[Meendum Savithri]]'' || Uma || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Appaji]]'' || || Kannada ||
|-
| ''[[Easwaramoorthy IN]]'' ||Lathika || Malayalam||
|-
|rowspan="2"|2003 || ''[[Alai (film)|Alai]]'' ||Nirmala || Tamil ||Comeback film after marriage
|-
| ''Chantigadu'' || || Telugu ||
|-
|rowspan="7"|2004 || ''[[Varnajalam]]'' || Karthiga || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Arul]]'' || Arul 's sister || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Adhu]]'' ||Meera's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Chatrapathy (2004 film)|Chatrapathy]]'' || Saravanan's sister || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Ramakrishna (film)|Ramakrishna]]'' ||Ramakrishna's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Meesai Madhavan]]'' ||Devi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Gomathi Nayagam]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="4"|2005 || ''Ayodhya'' || Jameela || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Raam (2005 film)|Raam]]'' || Saradha || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Sivakasi (film)|Sivakasi]]'' || Kayalvizhi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Thavamai Thavamirundhu]]'' || Saradha Muthiah || Tamil || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil]]
|-
|rowspan="4"|2006 || ''[[Emmtan-Magan|Emtan Magan]]'' || Selvi || Tamil || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil]] [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Female)|Tamil Nadu State Film Best Supporting Actress Award]]
|-
| ''[[Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam]]'' ||Thiru's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Rakhi (2006 film)|Rakhi]]'' || Gowri's Mother || Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Adaikalam]]'' || Kasthuri || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="6"|2007 || ''[[Thirumagan]]'' || Jayakodi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Jagadam]]'' || Seenu's mother|| Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' || Rajeshwari || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Pirappu]]'' || Kaliamman || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Vel (film)|Vel]]'' || Velu's & Vasu's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Puli Varudhu]]'' || Ramesh's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="10"|2008 || ''[[Pidichirukku]]'' || Stella || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Nenjathai Killadhe (2008 film)|Nenjadhai Killadhe]]'' || Vasanth's false mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Singakutty]]'' || Kathir's mother|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''Vilaiyattu'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Kuruvi]]'' || Devi's sister-in-law /Koccha's Wife || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Pandi (film)|Pandi]]'' || Sivagami || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Ready (2008 film)|Ready]]'' || || Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Thenavattu]]'' || Vazhuvanthal || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Dindigul Sarathy]]'' || Saradha || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Ini Varum Kaalam]]'' ||Aravind's mother || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="3"|2009 || ''[[Yavarum Nalam]]'' || Manohar's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Colours (film)|Colours]]'' || Dr. Rajalakshmi || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''Vanam Partha Seemayile'' || || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="11"|2010 || ''[[Police Quarters]]'' || Jayamma || [[Kannada language|Kannada]] Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Bayam Ariyaan]]'' || Saraswathi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Pulliman (2010 film)|Pulliman]]'' || Yashoda Panicker || Malayalam ||
|-
| ''[[Kalavani]]'' || Lakshmi Ramasamy || Tamil || Ananda Vikatan Awards for Best Supporting Actres [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Female)|Tamil Nadu State Film Best Supporting Actress Award]]
|-
| ''[[Guru Sishyan (2010 film)|Guru Sishyan]]'' || Mahalakshmi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Magane En Marumagane]]'' || Ponnarasi's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Thambikku Indha Ooru]]'' || Mrs.Kumaraswamy || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]'' || Padma || Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Puli (2010 film)|Puli]]'' || Puli's mother || Telugu || Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Telugu]]
|-
| ''[[Naane Ennul Illai]]'' || Janaki || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Thenmerku Paruvakaatru]]'' || Veerayi || Tamil || [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress]] [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil]] [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress]] [[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Award]] for Best Supporting Actress
|-
|rowspan="4"|2011 || ''[[Muthukku Muthaaga]]'' || Pechi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Vaanam]]'' || Lakshmi || Tamil ||
|-
| '' [[Sadhurangam (2011 film)|Sadhurangam]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Maharaja (2011 film)|Maharaja]]'' || Seetha || Tamil ||
|-
|rowspan="5"|2012 || ''[[Oru Kal Oru Kannadi]]'' || Shenbagam || Tamil || [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress]] Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil]] Nominated, [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|''[[Chaarulatha]]'' || rowspan="2"| Chaaru & Latha's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
| Kannada ||
|-
| ''[[Thaandavam]]'' || Sivakumar's Mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Neerparavai]]'' || Mary || Tamil || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil]] [[South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|-
| rowspan="3"|2013 || ''[[Vatthikuchi]]'' || Sakthi's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Kutti Puli]]'' || Deivanai || Tamil || Nominated, [[South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|-
| ''[[All in All Azhagu Raja]]'' || Meenakshi || Tamil ||
|-
| rowspan="7"|2014 || ''[[Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal]]'' || Yasothammal || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014 film)|Naan Sigappu Manithan]]'' || Sumathi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Ennamo Nadakkudhu]]'' || Vijay's mother || Tamil || [[Ananda Vikatan Awards]] for Best Supporting Actress
|-
| ''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]'' ||Seetharamudu's mother || Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Pappali]]'' || || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari]]'' || Bhuvana|| Tamil || [[4th South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA for Best Supporting Actress Tamil]] [[Ananda Vikatan Awards]] for Best Supporting Actress Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil]] Nominated, [[Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress]] Nominated, [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
| ''Amma Ammamma'' ||- || Tamil ||
|-
| rowspan="6"|2016 || ''[[Bangalore Naatkal]]'' || Kannan's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[24 (2016 film)|24]]'' || Sathyabhama || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Brahmotsavam (film)|Brahmotsavam]]'' ||Babu's Aunt|| Telugu ||
|-
| ''[[Remo (film)|Remo]]'' || Siva's & Remo's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Kodi (film)|Kodi]]'' || Kodi's & Anbu's mother ||Tamil || Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil]]
|-
| ''[[Achamindri]]'' || Rajalakhsmi || Tamil ||
|-
| rowspan="3"|2017 || ''[[Velaiyilla Pattathari 2]]'' || Bhuvana || Tamil
|-
| ''[[Katha Nayagan (2017 film)|Katha Nayagan]]'' || Thambidurai's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Magalir Mattum (2017 film)|Magalir Mattum]]'' ||Subbulakshmi || Tamil ||
|-
| rowspan=7|2018 ||''[[Mannar Vagaiyara]]'' || Kalaiyarasi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Itly]]'' || Inba || Tamil || Lead role
|-
| ''[[Junga (film)|Junga]]''|| Junga's mother/ Don amma || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna]]'' || Japan's mother|| Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Kolamavu Kokila]]'' || Kokila's mother || Tamil || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil]]
Nominated-[[South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA for Best Supporting Actress Tamil]]
|-
| ''[[The Villain (2018 film)|The Villain]]'' || Vishalavva || Kannada ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Kuprasidha Payyan]]'' ||Chembammal || Malayalam ||
|-
| rowspan=2|2019 ||''[[Kalavani 2]]'' || Lakshmi || Tamil ||
|-
| ''[[Gang Leader (2019 film)|Gang Leader]]'' || Varalakshmi ||Telugu ||
|-
| rowspan=4|2021 || ''[[Bhoomi (2021 film)|Bhoomi]]''|| Bhoominathan's mother || Tamil ||
|-
| MGR Magan || TBA || Tamil || Completed
|-
| Untitled Surya 40 || TBA || Tamil || Filming
|-
|''[[Kallapart (film)|Kallapart]]'' || TBA || Tamil || Filming
|-
|}

==As playback singer==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Song !! Language !! Composer !! Note
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Ennamo Nadakkudhu]]'' || ''Meesa Kokku'' || Tamil || [[Premgi Amaren]] || Debut as Singer<ref name="sing">{{cite news|last1=Rinku|first1=Gupta|title=Saranya croons for Ennamo Nadakuthu|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/oct/25/Saranya-croons-for-Ennamo-Nadakuthu-530212.html|access-date=6 March 2017|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=25 October 2013}}</ref>
|-
|2017 || ''[[Magalir Mattum (2017 film)|Magalir Mattum]]''||''Time Passukkosaram'' || Tamil || [[Ghibran]] || Also lead actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quintdaily.com/2017/08/vip-2-review-velai-illa-pattathari-2-theatrical-response-rating/|title=VIP 2 Review: Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 Theatrical Response & Rating – QuintDaily|last=quintdaily|date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
|}

==Television==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Television series !! Channel !! Note
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Penn (1991 TV series)|Penn]]'' || DD || Episode 7 (Lead)
|-
| 1992 || ''Ninaivu Kurippugal'' || DD || Host
|-
|2000-2003 || Veetuku Veedu Looty || [[Jaya TV]] || Lead role
|-
|2006-2007 || Mugangal || [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] || Lead role
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=0764853}}
{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponvannan, Saranya}}
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses from Alappuzha]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Women's Christian College, Chennai alumni]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil television]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Saranya Ponvannan