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{{Short description|Indian actress (born 1977)}}
{{Short description|Indian actress and politician}}
{{For|the 2020 Indian film about her|Shakeela (film)}}
{{About||the 2020 Indian biographic film about the subject|Shakeela (film)}}
{{Other uses|Shakila (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Shakila (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Shakira}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Shakeela Begum
| name              = Shakeela
| image              = Shakeela Photos.jpg
| image              = Shakeela.jpg
| caption            =  
| caption            = Shakeela in 2018
| birth_place        = [[Nellore, Andhra Pradesh]], India
| birth_place        = [[Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|03|27}}
| birth_date         = <!--See WP:BLPPRIVACY before adding birth dates-->
| spouse            = Palanivel sandaiyur <ref name=interview>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZkb5GUA7_A&t=440s "സിനിമാ അഭിനയവും വിവാദങ്ങൾ നിറഞ്ഞ ജീവിതവും"]. ''[[Flowers TV|24 News Live]]''. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 3 August 2019.</ref>
| birth_name        = Shakeela Begum
| birth_name        = Shakeela Begum
| occupation        = Actress
| occupation        = {{hlist|Actress|Politician|Softcore pornographic actress}}
| thumb             =  
| party             = [[Indian National Congress]]
| children          =  
| yearsactive        = 1994–present
| yearsactive        = 1994–present
| other_names        = Shakila
}}
}}
'''C. Shakeela''', known mononymously as '''Shakeela''', is an Indian actress and model who predominantly acted in [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] language films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/from-the-archives-who-is-shakeela-khan-1753973-2020-12-28|title=From the archives: Who is Shakeela Khan? India Today Insight}}</ref> Shakeela debuted in the film ''Playgirls'' (1995) at the age of 18 as an actress.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TDEEAAAAMBAJ&q=shakeela+telugu+actress&pg=PA71 |title=Outlook |date=22 December 2008|publisher=Outlook Publishing |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="indiadaily.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3080.asp |title= The soft porn queen of India Shakeela decides to tell her life story – many bombshells worried what she may reveal!|date=8 June 2005 |work=India Daily |access-date=13 June 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613183850/http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3080.asp |archive-date=13 June 2006 }}</ref> She appeared in about 250 films, most of them [[Softcore pornography|softcore]], which made her a major debut in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
'''C. Shakeela''', known mononymously as '''Shakeela''', is an Indian actress and politician who has predominantly acted in [[Malayalam cinema]], in addition to [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] language films. She is a member of [[Indian National Congress]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/from-the-archives-who-is-shakeela-khan-1753973-2020-12-28 |title=From the archives: Who is Shakeela Khan? |author=Methil Renuka |date=29 December 2020 |magazine=India Today}}</ref>  
 
Shakeela debuted in the [[softcore pornographic]] film ''Playgirls'' (1995) at the age of 18.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TDEEAAAAMBAJ&q=shakeela+telugu+actress&pg=PA71 |title=Outlook |date=22 December 2008 |publisher=Outlook Publishing |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="indiadaily.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3080.asp |title=The soft porn queen of India Shakeela decides to tell her life story – many bombshells worried what she may reveal! |date=8 June 2005 |work=India Daily |access-date=13 June 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613183850/http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3080.asp |archive-date=13 June 2006}}</ref> She became a popular figure in [[Kerala]] with the release of [[Malayalam softcore pornography|Malayalam softcore]] film ''[[Kinnara Thumbikal]]'' in 2000. This film would go on to pioneer a new wave of low-budget softcore porn films in the state, with Shakeela starring in many of them. In Kerala's hero-centric [[Malayalam cinema|mainstream industry]] of her time, Shakeela's emergence as a liberated woman, who displays her sexuality in defiance of social norms led to what became known as Malayalam cinema's ''Shakeela tharangam'' (Shakeela wave).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mini |first=Darshana Sreedhar |date=2019-04-01 |title=The Rise of Soft Porn in Malayalam Cinema and the Precarious Stardom of Shakeela |url=https://online.ucpress.edu/fmh/article/5/2/49/109555/The-Rise-of-Soft-Porn-in-Malayalam-Cinema-and-the |journal=Feminist Media Histories |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=49–82 |doi=10.1525/fmh.2019.5.2.49|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Shakeela was born in a conservative Muslim family based in [[Kodambakkam, Madras]], India. Her mother Chan Begum was from [[Nellore]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and father Chan Basha was from Madras.<ref name=interview/> She had six other siblings and did her school education from six different schools in Madras.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/shakeela-there-was-a-time-when-i-was-told-that-if-we-cast-you-in-our-film-itll-become-a-blue-film/articleshow/65072029.cms|title=Shakeela: There was a time when I was told that if we cast you in our film, it'll become a blue film}}</ref><ref name=interview/> She could not complete her school leaving certificate examination, eventually making her foray into films.<ref name=interview/>
Shakeela was born in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] in a [[Muslims|Muslim]] family. Her mother was from [[Nellore]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="interview">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZkb5GUA7_A&t=440s "സിനിമാ അഭിനയവും വിവാദങ്ങൾ നിറഞ്ഞ ജീവിതവും"]. ''[[Flowers (TV channel)|24 News Live]]''. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 3 August 2019.</ref> She could not complete her school leaving certificate examination, eventually making her foray into films.<ref name=interview/>


==Career==
==Career==
She acted in many B grade movies and soft-porn movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/871834/after-turning-softcore-films-into-hits-southern-actress-shakeela-gets-a-biopic-of-her-own|title=After turning softcore films into hits, Southern actress Shakeela gets a biopic of her own}}</ref> One of her big hits was ''[[Kinnarathumbikal]]'', which brought her into limelight and resulted in an unheard-of craze for her from youngsters to the old. She did a few controversial topless scenes in her initial movies until she got noticed.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="indiadaily.com"/> Her [[B movie|B-Grade films]] were dubbed and released in almost all Indian languages. Her films were dubbed into foreign languages like [[Nepali language|Nepalese]], Chinese, and [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]. After she acted in several movies, the soft-porn movies in India were colloquially called as "shakeela films".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/08/stories/2002080800160200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041001051251/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/08/stories/2002080800160200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Smut glut|date=8 August 2002}}</ref> Shakeela hired a [[body double]] Surayya Banu to do her topless scenes.<ref name="SurayyaBhanu"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/arts/life-writing-stories-book-publishing-laxman-rao-sheoraj-singh-bechain-basu-rai-kailash-satyarthi-maniyan-pillai-surayya-banu-mrinalkanti-dutta/story/1/5935.html|title=Surayya Banu (age 40): A body double}}</ref>
From the beginning of her career, she acted in [[B movies]] and [[Malayalam softcore pornography|softcore pornography]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/871834/after-turning-softcore-films-into-hits-southern-actress-shakeela-gets-a-biopic-of-her-own |title=After turning softcore films into hits, Southern actress Shakeela gets a biopic of her own |first=Archana |last=Nathan |website=Scroll.in|date=14 March 2018 }}</ref> One of her big hits was the 2000 Malayalam film ''[[Kinnarathumbikal]]'', which brought her into limelight. Kinnarathumbikal was dubbed in more than six Indian languages and was a major commercial success, grossing ₹4 crore at the box office against a budget of ₹12 lakhs. She did a few controversial topless scenes in her initial movies until she got noticed.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="indiadaily.com"/> Her B movies were dubbed and released in almost all Indian languages. Her films were dubbed into foreign languages like [[Nepali language|Nepalese]], Chinese, and [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]. After she acted in several movies, the soft-porn movies in India were colloquially called as "shakeela films".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/08/stories/2002080800160200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041001051251/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/08/stories/2002080800160200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Smut glut |date=8 August 2002}}</ref> Shakeela hired a [[body double]] Surayya Banu to do her topless scenes.<ref name="SurayyaBhanu"/>


Shakeela started appearing in family character roles in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language movies since 2003. She wrote her autobiography in Malayalam,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://openthemagazine.com/art-culture/a-soft-porn-stars-life/|title=A Soft Porn Star's Life}}</ref> which covered her family, her background, as well as her acquaintance with notable film personalities, politicians and childhood friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/13/stories/2003011301800400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050119022914/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/13/stories/2003011301800400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 January 2005|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Providing a political platform|date=13 January 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/26/stories/2003052601930400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801063518/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/26/stories/2003052601930400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 August 2003|work=[[The Hindu]]|title= Promises and lies|date=26 May 2003}}</ref>
Shakeela started appearing in family character roles in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language movies since 2003. She wrote her autobiography in Malayalam,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://openthemagazine.com/art-culture/a-soft-porn-stars-life/ |title=A Soft Porn Star's Life |date=11 February 2014}}</ref> which covered her family, her background, as well as her acquaintance with notable film personalities, politicians and childhood friends.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/13/stories/2003011301800400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050119022914/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/13/stories/2003011301800400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 January 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Providing a political platform |date=13 January 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/26/stories/2003052601930400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801063518/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/26/stories/2003052601930400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 August 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Promises and lies |date=26 May 2003}}</ref>


In January 2018, she announced her 250th film as an actor, ''Sheelavathi'', would begin production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/why-cant-a-shakeela-film-be-called-sheelavathi-/articleshow/64574766.cms|title=Why can't a Shakeela film be called 'Sheelavathi' ?}}</ref><ref>[http://www.apnewscorner.com/en/film-news/actress-shakeelas-250th-movie-titled-seelavathi-virgin Actress Shakeela’s 250th movie titled Seelavathi – Virgin] ''AP News Corner''. 28 January 2018</ref>
In January 2018, she announced her 250th film as an actor, ''Sheelavathi'', would begin production.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/why-cant-a-shakeela-film-be-called-sheelavathi-/articleshow/64574766.cms |title=Why can't a Shakeela film be called 'Sheelavathi' ? |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.apnewscorner.com/en/film-news/actress-shakeelas-250th-movie-titled-seelavathi-virgin Actress Shakeela's 250th movie titled Seelavathi – Virgin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214204334/http://www.apnewscorner.com/en/film-news/actress-shakeelas-250th-movie-titled-seelavathi-virgin |date=14 February 2020 }} ''AP News Corner''. 28 January 2018</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In 2012, Shakeela announced that she will no longer act in [[B movie|B grade movies]].<ref name=interview/> Shakeela released her autobiography "Shakeela: Aatmakatha" in 2013.<ref name="SurayyaBhanu">{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-shakeela-the-woman-who-inspired-genres-without-ever-doing-porn-2112421|title=Shakeela, the woman who inspired genres without ever doing porn|date=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20603105-shakeela-athmakatha|title = Shakeela Athmakatha}}</ref>  Shakeela has adopted a transgender daughter Mila.<ref name="shakeelathangam">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/entertainment/2018/nov/19/happy-birthday-shakeela-here-are-some-rare-photos-of-the-south-indian-actress-101938--1.html|title=Happy birthday Shakeela: Here are some rare photos of the South Indian actress}}</ref>
In 2002, Shakeela announced that she will no longer act in B grade movies.<ref name=interview/> Shakeela released her autobiography ''Shakeela: Aatmakatha'' in 2013.<ref name="SurayyaBhanu">{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-shakeela-the-woman-who-inspired-genres-without-ever-doing-porn-2112421 |title=Shakeela, the woman who inspired genres without ever doing porn |date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
 
==Politics==


== Filmography ==
Shakeela joined the [[Indian National Congress]] in March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/shakeela-joins-congress-in-kerala-678998 |title=Shakeela Joins Congress in Kerala |date=28 March 2021 |website=thehansindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2021/03/26/actress-shakeela-joins-congress-party.html |title=Yesteryear actress Shakeela joins Congress |website=OnManorama}}</ref>


===As an actress===
== Partial filmography ==
Shakeela has featured in over 100 in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Odia and Telugu Language films in various roles.
Shakeela has featured in over 250 in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada language films in various roles.


=== Malayalam films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Film !! Language
! Year !! Film  
! Role
!Notes
|-
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala]]'' || Tamil
| 1997 || ''[[Sobhanam]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Kanni Raasi]]'' || Tamil
|1998
| ''[[Kulirkaattu]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Kobbari Matta]]'' || Telugu
|1999 ||''[[Captain (1999 film)|Captain]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Pottu (film)|Pottu]]'' || Tamil
| rowspan="7" |2000|| ''[[Raakkilikal]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2017 || ''Sevili'' || Tamil
| ''Thankathoni''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]'' || Tamil
| ''[[Nishasurabhikal]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Love U Alia]]'' || Kannada
| ''[[Kaathara]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga]]'' || Tamil
| ''Manjukaalappakshi''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2015 ||''Romantic Target'' || Telugu
| ''Neela Thadakathile Nizhal Pakshikal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2015 ||''Six'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Kinnara Thumbikal]]''
| Dakshyani
|
|-
|-
| 2014 || ''Adhu Vera Idhu Vera'' || Tamil
| rowspan="23" | 2001|| ''Koumaram''  
|
|
|-
|-
| 2013 ||''Ade Baaja'' || Telugu
| ''Agrahaaram''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2013 || ''Ragalaipuram'' || Tamil
| ''Yaamini''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Neelakurinji Poothu]]''|| Malayalam
| ''Vezhambal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2012 || ''Iniyum Oru Janmam''|| Malayalam
| ''Pranayaaksharangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2011 || ''Ninety'' || Kannada
| ''Naalam Simham''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Teja Bhai & Family]]'' || Malayalam
| ''Laya Thalangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Guru Sishyan (2010 film)|Guru Sishyan]]'' || Tamil
| ''Kaadambari''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Vallakottai (film)|Vallakottai]]'' || Tamil
| ''Agnipushpam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Maanja Velu]]'' || Tamil
| ''Naalaam Simham''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Boss Engira Bhaskaran]]'' || Tamil
| ''Driving School''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Malai Malai]]'' || Tamil
| ''Ee Raavil''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Siva Manasula Sakthi]]'' || Tamil
| ''Kinnaaram Chollicholli''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Current (2009 film)|Current]]'' || Telugu
|''Nimishangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Dongala Bandi]]'' || Telugu
| ''Maami''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008 || ''Paape O Parupu'' || Telugu
| ''Romance''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008 || ''Lakshmi Putrudu'' || Telugu
| ''Kalluvaathukkal Kathreena''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008 || ''Vambu Sandai'' || Tamil
| ''Premaagni''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Azhagiya Tamil Magan]]'' || Tamil
| ''Chaarasundari''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Viyabari]]'' || Tamil
| ''Mohanayanangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Chotta Mumbai]]'' || Malayalam
| ''Laasyam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Vasantha (2006 film)|Vaseegara]]'' || Tamil
| ''Swargavaathil''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Vathiyar]]'' || Tamil
| ''Aalilathoni''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Bangaram (film)|Bangaram]]'' || Telugu
| rowspan="14" |2002
| ''Sneha''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Thaka Thimi Tha]]'' || Tamil
| ''Soundarya Lahari''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Keelu Gurram (2005 film)|Keelu Gurram]]'' || Telugu
| ''Pushpasharam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2004 || ''Sandra'' || Malayalam
| ''Randu Penkuttikal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Dhool]]'' || Tamil
| ''Niramulla Swapnangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Dongodu]]'' || Telugu
| ''Eden Thottam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Nijam]]'' || Telugu
| ''Aalinganam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Jayam (2003 film)|Jayam]]'' || Tamil
| ''Uff Yeh Jawani''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''Puttintiki Ra Chelli''||Telugu
| ''Sisiram''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''Veendum Thulabharam'' || Malayalam
| ''Mohaswapnam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''Ananthapuram Raajakumaari'' || Malayalam
| ''Pranaya Shalabhangal''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Jayam (2002 film)|Jayam]]'' || Telugu
| ''Miss Suvarna''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003 || ''Duppatlo Dhada Dhada'' || Telugu
| ''Namukkoru Koodaram''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Penmanassu'' || Telugu
| ''Thirunelliyile Penkutty''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Thirunelliyile Penkutty''|| Malayalam
| rowspan="2" |2003
| ''Ananthapuram Raajakumaari''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Namukkoru Koodaram''|| Malayalam
| ''Veendum Thulabharam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Miss Suvarna'' || Malayalam
|2004
| ''Sandra''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Pranaya Shalabhangal'' || Malayalam
| 2007 || ''[[Chotta Mumbai]]''  
| Herself
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Mohaswapnam'' || Malayalam
|2011
| ''[[Teja Bhai & Family]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Sisiram'' || Malayalam
| 2012 || ''Iniyum Oru Janmam''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Uff Yeh Jawani'' || Malayalam
| 2013 || ''Neelakurinji Poothu''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Aalinganam'' || Malayalam
| 2015 ||''Six''  
|
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Eden Thottam'' || Malayalam
|}
 
=== Other language films ===
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Niramulla Swapnangal'' || Malayalam
! Year !! Film
! Role!! Language
!Notes
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Randu Penkuttikal'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="2" | 1994 || ''Playgirls''  
| || rowspan="3" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Pushpasharam'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Jallikattu Kaalai]]''  
| Pushpavanam
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Soundarya Lahari'' || Malayalam
| 1996 ||''[[Vasantha Vaasal]]''  
| Sunitha
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Sneha'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="3" | 1998 || ''[[Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi]]''
| || rowspan="3" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Thotti Gang]]'' || Telugu
| ''[[Udhavikku Varalaamaa]]''
| item number
|
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''Soundharyalahari'' || Telugu
| ''[[Maru Malarchi|Marumalarchi]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Agniputhri'' || Telugu
| rowspan="4" |2001
| ''Nayeem And Shakeela''
| || Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Sagara'' || Kannada
| ''Sneha''
| || Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Sneha'' || Tamil
| ''Sagara''
| || Kannada
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Nayeem And Shakeela'' || Telugu
| ''Agniputhri''
| || rowspan="3" | Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Aalilathoni'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="3" | 2002 || ''Soundharyalahari''  
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Swargavaathil'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Thotti Gang]]''
| Matasri
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Laasyam'' || Malayalam
| ''Penmanassu''
| || rowspan="3" | Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Mohanayanangal'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="6" | 2003 || ''Duppatlo Dhada Dhada''  
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Chaarasundari'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Jayam (2002 film)|Jayam]]''
| Gnana Saraswathi
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Premaagni'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Jayam (2003 film)|Jayam]]''
| Gnana Sarawathi|| Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Kalluvaathukkal Kathreena'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Nijam]]''
| || rowspan="2" | Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Romance'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Dongodu]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Maami'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Dhool]]''
| Herself|| Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001 ||''Nimishangal''||Malayalam
| rowspan="4" | 2004 || ''[[Puttintiki Ra Chelli]]''
| ||Telugu
|
|-
| ''[[Monalisa (film)|Monalisa]]''|| College principal
| Kannada
|
|-
| ''Singara Chennai''|| || rowspan="2" | Tamil
|
|-
| ''[[Loves (film)|Loves]]''
| Herself
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Kinnaaram Chollicholli''|| Malayalam
| rowspan="4" | 2005 || ''[[786 Khaidi Premakatha]]'' || || rowspan="2" | Telugu<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-786.html|title=Movie review - 786 (Khaidi Premakatha)|date=4 February 2005|work=[[Idlebrain.com]]|last=Jeevi|access-date=12 February 2024|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117192014/http://idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-786.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''[[Keelu Gurram (2005 film)|Keelu Gurram]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thaka Thimi Tha]]''
| Rama || rowspan="2" | Tamil
|
|-
| ''[[Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu]]''|| Baby
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Ee Raavil'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="4" | 2006 || ''[[Shri (film)|Shri]]'' || || Kannada
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Driving School'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Bangaram (film)|Bangaram]]''
| Ammukutty || Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Naalaam Simham'' || Malayalam
| ''Thodamaley''
| || rowspan="2" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Agnipushpam'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Vathiyar]]''
| Item number
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Kaadambari'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="3" |2007
| ''[[Viyabari]]''
| Minister Dairy Development || rowspan="4" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Laya Thalangal'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Azhagiya Tamil Magan]]''
| Shakeela
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Naalam Simham'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Pazhaniappa Kalloori]]''
| Chechi
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Pranayaaksharangal'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="5" | 2008 || ''[[Vambu Sandai]]''  
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Vezhambal'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Black & White (2008 Telugu film)|Black & White]]''
| || rowspan="2" | Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Yaamini'' || Malayalam
| ''Paape O Parupu''
|
|
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''Agrahaaram'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Nadigai]]''
| Herself || Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 2001|| ''Koumaram'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Dongala Bandi]]''
| || Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Kinnara Thumbikal]]'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="4" | 2009 || ''[[Kempa (film)|Kempa]]''
| Bindu's mother || Kannada
|
|-
|-
|2000 || ''Neela Thadakathile Nizhal Pakshikal'' || Malayalam
| ''[[Current (2009 film)|Current]]''
| || Telugu
|
|-
|-
|2000|| ''Manjukaalappakshi'' ||Malayalam
| ''[[Siva Manasula Sakthi]]''
| Sakthi || rowspan="6" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
|2000 || ''[[Kaathara]]''||Malayalam
| ''[[Malai Malai]]''
|
|
|-
|-
|2000 || ''[[Nishasurabhikal]]'' || Malayalam
| rowspan="3" | 2010 || ''[[Boss Engira Bhaskaran]]''
| Parimala teacher
|
|-
|-
|2000|| ''Thankathoni''||Malayalam
| ''[[Maanja Velu]]''
| Mathangi
|
|-
|-
|2000|| ''[[Raakkilikal]]''||Malayalam
| ''[[Vallakottai (film)|Vallakottai]]''
| Saleswoman
|
|-
|-
|1999 ||''[[Captain (1999 film)|Captain]]'' ||Malayalam
| rowspan="2" | 2011 || ''[[Guru Sishyan (2010 film)|Guru Sishyan]]''  
|
|
|-
|-
|1998 || ''[[Kulirkaattu]]'' || Malayalam
| ''Ninety''
| || Kannada
|
|-
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Maru Malarchi|Marumalarchi]]'' || Tamil
|2012
| ''[[Kai (film)|Kai]]''
| || rowspan="2" | Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Udhavikku Varalaamaa]]'' || Tamil
| rowspan="2" |2013
| ''Ragalaipuram''
|
|
|-
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi]]'' || Tamil
|''Ade Baaja''
| || Telugu
|
|-
|-
| 1997 || ''[[Sobhanam]]'' || Malayalam
| 2014 || ''[[Adhu Vera Idhu Vera]]''  
| || Tamil
|
|-
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Jallikattu Kaalai]]'' || Tamil
| rowspan="5" |2015
|''Romantic Target''
| || Telugu
|
|-
| ''[[Patharagitthi]]''
| || Kannada
|
|-
| ''[[Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga]]''
| Akila Cheichi || Tamil
|
|-
| ''[[Luv U Alia]]''
| || Kannada
|
|-
| ''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]''
| Herself || rowspan="3" | Tamil
|
|-
| 2017 || ''Sevili''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019 || ''[[Pottu (film)|Pottu]]''
| Biochemistry Professor
|
|-
| ''[[Kobbari Matta]]''
|  Pandu || Telugu
|
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Kanni Raasi]]''
|  Chechi || rowspan="8" | Tamil
|
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala]]''
| Shakeela
|
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Kick (2023 film)|Kick]]''
| Ad Council
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2025 || ''[[Madha Gaja Raja]]''
| Marriage attendee
|
|-
| ''[[Mrs & Mr]]''
| Shakeela
|
|-
| ''Sareeram''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Pagal Kanavu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Madharas Mafia Company]]''
|
|
|-
|-
| 1994 || ''Playgirls'' || Tamil
|}
|}


Line 256: Line 565:
!Year
!Year
!Title
!Title
!Role
!Channel
!Channel
!Language
!Language
!Role
!Notes
!Notes
!Comments
|-
|-
|2014
|2014
|''[[Bigg Boss Kannada (season 2)]]''
|''[[Bigg Boss Kannada (season 2)]]''
|Contestant
|[[Star Suvarna]]
|[[Star Suvarna]]
|Kannada
|Kannada
|Contestant
|Evicted Day 27
|
|-
|style="background:Orange" |Evicted Day 27
| rowspan="2" |2016||''Health Education''||Host||[[YouTube]]||Tamil||Telecasted on Interactive TV Channel
 
|-
|''Comedy Super Nights 2''||Herself||Flowers TV||Malayalam||Episode 5
|-
|-
|2016||''Health Education''||[[YouTube]]||Tamil||Host||Telecasted on Interactive TV Channel||
|2018||''Adhu Idhu Yedhu''||Participant||Star Vijay||Tamil||
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019||''Comedy Stars''||Herself ||Asianet|| rowspan="3" |Malayalam||Guest
|-
|-
|2016||''Comedy Super Nights 2''||Flowers TV||Malayalam||Herself as Guest||Episode 5||
|''Janakeeya Kodathi''||Guest speaker||24 News||
|-
|-
|2019||''Janakeeya Kodathi''||24 News||Malayalam||Herself as Guest speaker||||
|2020||''[[Funny Nights with Pearle Maaney]]''||Herself||Zee Keralam||Guest
|-
|-
|2020-2021
|2020-2021
|''[[Cooku With Comali |Cooku With Comali (Season 2)]]''
|''[[Cooku With Comali |Cooku With Comali (Season 2)]]''
|Contestant
|[[Star Vijay]]
|[[Star Vijay]]
|Tamil
|Tamil
|Contestant
|1st Runner-Up
|1st Runner-Up
|style="background:yellow" |Wild Card Round - Re-entry (episode 38)
|-
|-
|2021
| rowspan="5" |2021
|''[[Alitho Saradaga]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alitho Saradaga: సావిత్రి అన్నీ పుణ్యాలే చేస్తే అలా ఎందుకు పోయింది.. ఆత్మకథలో అబద్ధాలు చెప్పాలా? షకీలా సంచలన కామెంట్స్|url=https://telugu.samayam.com/tv/news/alitho-saradaga-latest-promo-actress-shakeela-shocking-comments-on-mahanati-savitri/articleshow/80361612.cms|access-date=2021-01-21|website=Samayam Telugu|language=te}}</ref>
|''[[Alitho Saradaga]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alitho Saradaga: సావిత్రి అన్నీ పుణ్యాలే చేస్తే అలా ఎందుకు పోయింది.. ఆత్మకథలో అబద్ధాలు చెప్పాలా? షకీలా సంచలన కామెంట్స్ |url=https://telugu.samayam.com/tv/news/alitho-saradaga-latest-promo-actress-shakeela-shocking-comments-on-mahanati-savitri/articleshow/80361612.cms |access-date=21 January 2021 |website=Samayam Telugu |language=te}}</ref>
|Herself
|[[ETV (Telugu)|ETV]]
|[[ETV (Telugu)|ETV]]
|Telugu
|Telugu
|Herself as Guest
|Episode 211
|Episode 211
|-
|-
|2021
|''Start Music (Season 2)''
|''Start Music (Season 2)''
|Contestant
| [[Star Vijay]]
| [[Star Vijay]]
| ''Tamil''
| rowspan="3" | Tamil
|''Contestant''
|Winner
|''Winner''
 
|-
|-
|2021
|''Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0''
|Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0
|Raja Mata
|[[Colors Tamil|Colours Tamil]]
|[[Colors Tamil|Colours Tamil]]
|Tamil
|Raja mata
|
|
|-
|''Singapenney''
| rowspan="2" |Participant
|[[Star Vijay]]
|
|-
|''Cash''
|[[ETV (Telugu)|E TV]]
|Telugu
|
|-
|2023–2025||''[[Surabhiyum Suhasiniyum]]''||Urmila|| rowspan="3" |[[Flowers TV]]|| rowspan="3" |[[Malayalam]]||TV serial
|-
| rowspan="3" |2023||''Flowers Oru Kodi''||Participant|| rowspan="2" |Gameshow{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
|-
|''Star magic''||Mentor
|-
|''[[Bigg Boss (Telugu season 7)]]'' ||Contestant||[[Star Maa]]||[[Telugu language|Telugu]]||Evicted Day 14
|-
|}
|}
==Popularity and reception==
Shakeela, who rose to fame quickly, served as her movies' main character and the centre of its story. According to film industry analyst ''Sreedhar Pillai'', Shakeela's stardom extended beyond state boundaries as well, with these films getting their own dubbed versions across the country. As a result, for thousands of that generation, their only access to Malayalam cinema was the kind that would star Shakeela. According to critic and film historian ''C. S. Venkiteswaran'', Shakeela became known as the promiscuous [[Malayali]] woman in nearby areas like [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Karnataka]], where words like "chechi" or "aunty" were sarcastically used to refer to them. The prejudice that these films appealed to in other states was furthered by the fact that Kerala had a distinctive sartorial culture where ladies wore a lungi and a blouse. And it added yet another depth to their fantasies about these ladies when they included yet another widely held stereotype of the missing Malayali males employed in the [[Arab world|Gulf]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=2020-05-16 |title=Shakeela, Superstardom And A Softporn Wave That Threatened The Survival Of Malayalam Cinema |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/shakeela-superstardom-and-a-softporn-wave-that-threatened-the-survival-of-malayalam-cinema |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}}</ref>
According to film director ''Venkiteswaran,'' Shakeela eventually became highest paid employee on the set, and the production of the movie was planned around her comfort. She has said in many interviews that how these production teams would trick her into acting as many as three films at once without her knowledge, flooding the market with her films. The fly-by-night studios made more money during this time, more so than the actors who played the leads in these films. According to film scholar ''Darshana Sreedhar Mini'', during the Malayalam cinema industry's crisis in the early 2000s, Shakeela films' success became essential to the industry's existence because her presence guaranteed profit and, thus, the survival of these personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilpa |date=2019-07-31 |title=Malayalam Cinema's Other: Soft-porn and the Stardom of Shakeela |url=https://alablog.in/issues/issue-11/malayalam-cinemas-other-soft-porn-and-the-stardom-of-shakeela/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Ala / അല |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2001, more than 70% of Malayalam films were of the soft porn genre, and she appeared in many of them. Popular Malayalam films at the period focused on showing heroic masculinity and completely muted the agential role of women. Shakeela's films, in contrast, stood out because they emphasised her presence to the point where the male roles served as functional filler. In actuality, the majority of Shakeela's male co-stars were little more than "extras," with unimpressive careers. Shakeela's presence during a period of economic crisis temporarily destabilised Kerala's hero-centric mainstream business, giving rise to the ''Shakeela tharangam'' (wave of Shakeela).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mini |first=Darshana Sreedhar |date=2016 |title=The Spectral Duration of Malayalam Soft-porn: Disappearance, Desire, and Haunting |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0974927616667971 |journal=BioScope: South Asian Screen Studies |language=en |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=127–150 |doi=10.1177/0974927616667971 |issn=0974-9276|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
[[Indrajit Lankesh]] directed her biopic ''[[Shakeela (film)|Shakeela]]'' based on her life in which [[Richa Chadda]] portrays the title character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/shakeela-lauds-her-biopic-that-stars-richa-chadha/articleshow/80045389.cms|title=Shakeela lauds her biopic that stars Richa Chadha|date=31 December 2020|via=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/richa-chadhas-shakeela-to-release-theatrically-on-christmas/article33212766.ece|title=Richa Chadha's 'Shakeela' to release theatrically on Christmas|date=30 November 2020|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
[[Indrajit Lankesh]] directed her biopic ''[[Shakeela (film)|Shakeela]]'' (2020) based on her life in which [[Richa Chadda]] portrays the title character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/shakeela-lauds-her-biopic-that-stars-richa-chadha/articleshow/80045389.cms |title=Shakeela lauds her biopic that stars Richa Chadha |date=31 December 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/richa-chadhas-shakeela-to-release-theatrically-on-christmas/article33212766.ece |title=Richa Chadha's 'Shakeela' to release theatrically on Christmas |date=30 November 2020 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> On 22 September 2023, a 5-minute sketch featuring Shakeela was released by [[Netflix]] on [[YouTube]] to promote the concluding season of their series ''[[Sex Education (TV series)|Sex Education]]'', among the Malayali audience. The sketch titled "'Shakeela's driving school" was also a reminiscent of her successful film ''Driving School''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2023-09-05 |title=Shakeela offers sex ed tips while promoting Netflix's popular show Sex Education |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/shakeelas-driving-school-netflix-ropes-in-actor-promote-final-season-of-sex-education |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[Reshma (B-grade actress)|Reshma]]
* [[Silk Smitha]]
* [[Malayalam softcore pornography]]


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Indian female adult models]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Odia cinema]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Indian women film directors]]
[[Category:Indian women film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Bigg Boss Kannada contestants]]
[[Category:Actresses from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Actresses from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Nellore district]]
[[Category:People from Nellore]]
[[Category:People from Nellore]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Cooku with Comali contestants]]
[[Category:Pornography in India]]

Latest revision as of 23:35, 10 March 2026


For the 2020 Indian biographic film about the subject, see Shakeela (film).
For other uses, see Shakila (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Shakira.

Shakeela
Shakeela in 2018
Born
Shakeela Begum

Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesShakila
Occupation
  • Actress
  • Politician
  • Softcore pornographic actress
Years active1994–present
Political partyIndian National Congress

C. Shakeela, known mononymously as Shakeela, is an Indian actress and politician who has predominantly acted in Malayalam cinema, in addition to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films. She is a member of Indian National Congress.[1]

Shakeela debuted in the softcore pornographic film Playgirls (1995) at the age of 18.[2][3] She became a popular figure in Kerala with the release of Malayalam softcore film Kinnara Thumbikal in 2000. This film would go on to pioneer a new wave of low-budget softcore porn films in the state, with Shakeela starring in many of them. In Kerala's hero-centric mainstream industry of her time, Shakeela's emergence as a liberated woman, who displays her sexuality in defiance of social norms led to what became known as Malayalam cinema's Shakeela tharangam (Shakeela wave).[4]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Shakeela was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in a Muslim family. Her mother was from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.[5] She could not complete her school leaving certificate examination, eventually making her foray into films.[5]

Career[edit | edit source]

From the beginning of her career, she acted in B movies and softcore pornography.[6] One of her big hits was the 2000 Malayalam film Kinnarathumbikal, which brought her into limelight. Kinnarathumbikal was dubbed in more than six Indian languages and was a major commercial success, grossing ₹4 crore at the box office against a budget of ₹12 lakhs. She did a few controversial topless scenes in her initial movies until she got noticed.[2][3] Her B movies were dubbed and released in almost all Indian languages. Her films were dubbed into foreign languages like Nepalese, Chinese, and Sinhala. After she acted in several movies, the soft-porn movies in India were colloquially called as "shakeela films".[7] Shakeela hired a body double Surayya Banu to do her topless scenes.[8]

Shakeela started appearing in family character roles in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language movies since 2003. She wrote her autobiography in Malayalam,[9] which covered her family, her background, as well as her acquaintance with notable film personalities, politicians and childhood friends.[10][11]

In January 2018, she announced her 250th film as an actor, Sheelavathi, would begin production.[12][13]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

In 2002, Shakeela announced that she will no longer act in B grade movies.[5] Shakeela released her autobiography Shakeela: Aatmakatha in 2013.[8]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Shakeela joined the Indian National Congress in March 2021.[14][15]

Partial filmography[edit | edit source]

Shakeela has featured in over 250 in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada language films in various roles.

Malayalam films[edit | edit source]

Year Film Role Notes
1997 Sobhanam
1998 Kulirkaattu
1999 Captain
2000 Raakkilikal
Thankathoni
Nishasurabhikal
Kaathara
Manjukaalappakshi
Neela Thadakathile Nizhal Pakshikal
Kinnara Thumbikal Dakshyani
2001 Koumaram
Agrahaaram
Yaamini
Vezhambal
Pranayaaksharangal
Naalam Simham
Laya Thalangal
Kaadambari
Agnipushpam
Naalaam Simham
Driving School
Ee Raavil
Kinnaaram Chollicholli
Nimishangal
Maami
Romance
Kalluvaathukkal Kathreena
Premaagni
Chaarasundari
Mohanayanangal
Laasyam
Swargavaathil
Aalilathoni
2002 Sneha
Soundarya Lahari
Pushpasharam
Randu Penkuttikal
Niramulla Swapnangal
Eden Thottam
Aalinganam
Uff Yeh Jawani
Sisiram
Mohaswapnam
Pranaya Shalabhangal
Miss Suvarna
Namukkoru Koodaram
Thirunelliyile Penkutty
2003 Ananthapuram Raajakumaari
Veendum Thulabharam
2004 Sandra
2007 Chotta Mumbai Herself
2011 Teja Bhai & Family
2012 Iniyum Oru Janmam
2013 Neelakurinji Poothu
2015 Six

Other language films[edit | edit source]

Year Film Role Language Notes
1994 Playgirls Tamil
Jallikattu Kaalai Pushpavanam
1996 Vasantha Vaasal Sunitha
1998 Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi Tamil
Udhavikku Varalaamaa item number
Marumalarchi
2001 Nayeem And Shakeela Telugu
Sneha Tamil
Sagara Kannada
Agniputhri Telugu
2002 Soundharyalahari
Thotti Gang Matasri
Penmanassu Telugu
2003 Duppatlo Dhada Dhada
Jayam Gnana Saraswathi
Jayam Gnana Sarawathi Tamil
Nijam Telugu
Dongodu
Dhool Herself Tamil
2004 Puttintiki Ra Chelli Telugu
Monalisa College principal Kannada
Singara Chennai Tamil
Loves Herself
2005 786 Khaidi Premakatha Telugu[16]
Keelu Gurram
Thaka Thimi Tha Rama Tamil
Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu Baby
2006 Shri Kannada
Bangaram Ammukutty Telugu
Thodamaley Tamil
Vathiyar Item number
2007 Viyabari Minister Dairy Development Tamil
Azhagiya Tamil Magan Shakeela
Pazhaniappa Kalloori Chechi
2008 Vambu Sandai
Black & White Telugu
Paape O Parupu
Nadigai Herself Tamil
Dongala Bandi Telugu
2009 Kempa Bindu's mother Kannada
Current Telugu
Siva Manasula Sakthi Sakthi Tamil
Malai Malai
2010 Boss Engira Bhaskaran Parimala teacher
Maanja Velu Mathangi
Vallakottai Saleswoman
2011 Guru Sishyan
Ninety Kannada
2012 Kai Tamil
2013 Ragalaipuram
Ade Baaja Telugu
2014 Adhu Vera Idhu Vera Tamil
2015 Romantic Target Telugu
Patharagitthi Kannada
Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga Akila Cheichi Tamil
Luv U Alia Kannada
Sakalakala Vallavan Herself Tamil
2017 Sevili
2019 Pottu Biochemistry Professor
Kobbari Matta Pandu Telugu
2020 Kanni Raasi Chechi Tamil
2021 Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala Shakeela
2023 Kick Ad Council
2025 Madha Gaja Raja Marriage attendee
Mrs & Mr Shakeela
Sareeram
Pagal Kanavu
Madharas Mafia Company

Television[edit | edit source]

Year Title Role Channel Language Notes
2014 Bigg Boss Kannada (season 2) Contestant Star Suvarna Kannada Evicted Day 27
2016 Health Education Host YouTube Tamil Telecasted on Interactive TV Channel
Comedy Super Nights 2 Herself Flowers TV Malayalam Episode 5
2018 Adhu Idhu Yedhu Participant Star Vijay Tamil
2019 Comedy Stars Herself Asianet Malayalam Guest
Janakeeya Kodathi Guest speaker 24 News
2020 Funny Nights with Pearle Maaney Herself Zee Keralam Guest
2020-2021 Cooku With Comali (Season 2) Contestant Star Vijay Tamil 1st Runner-Up
2021 Alitho Saradaga[17] Herself ETV Telugu Episode 211
Start Music (Season 2) Contestant Star Vijay Tamil Winner
Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0 Raja Mata Colours Tamil
Singapenney Participant Star Vijay
Cash E TV Telugu
2023–2025 Surabhiyum Suhasiniyum Urmila Flowers TV Malayalam TV serial
2023 Flowers Oru Kodi Participant Gameshow[citation needed]
Star magic Mentor
Bigg Boss (Telugu season 7) Contestant Star Maa Telugu Evicted Day 14

Popularity and reception[edit | edit source]

Shakeela, who rose to fame quickly, served as her movies' main character and the centre of its story. According to film industry analyst Sreedhar Pillai, Shakeela's stardom extended beyond state boundaries as well, with these films getting their own dubbed versions across the country. As a result, for thousands of that generation, their only access to Malayalam cinema was the kind that would star Shakeela. According to critic and film historian C. S. Venkiteswaran, Shakeela became known as the promiscuous Malayali woman in nearby areas like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where words like "chechi" or "aunty" were sarcastically used to refer to them. The prejudice that these films appealed to in other states was furthered by the fact that Kerala had a distinctive sartorial culture where ladies wore a lungi and a blouse. And it added yet another depth to their fantasies about these ladies when they included yet another widely held stereotype of the missing Malayali males employed in the Gulf.[18]

According to film director Venkiteswaran, Shakeela eventually became highest paid employee on the set, and the production of the movie was planned around her comfort. She has said in many interviews that how these production teams would trick her into acting as many as three films at once without her knowledge, flooding the market with her films. The fly-by-night studios made more money during this time, more so than the actors who played the leads in these films. According to film scholar Darshana Sreedhar Mini, during the Malayalam cinema industry's crisis in the early 2000s, Shakeela films' success became essential to the industry's existence because her presence guaranteed profit and, thus, the survival of these personnel.[19] In 2001, more than 70% of Malayalam films were of the soft porn genre, and she appeared in many of them. Popular Malayalam films at the period focused on showing heroic masculinity and completely muted the agential role of women. Shakeela's films, in contrast, stood out because they emphasised her presence to the point where the male roles served as functional filler. In actuality, the majority of Shakeela's male co-stars were little more than "extras," with unimpressive careers. Shakeela's presence during a period of economic crisis temporarily destabilised Kerala's hero-centric mainstream business, giving rise to the Shakeela tharangam (wave of Shakeela).[20]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Indrajit Lankesh directed her biopic Shakeela (2020) based on her life in which Richa Chadda portrays the title character.[21][22] On 22 September 2023, a 5-minute sketch featuring Shakeela was released by Netflix on YouTube to promote the concluding season of their series Sex Education, among the Malayali audience. The sketch titled "'Shakeela's driving school" was also a reminiscent of her successful film Driving School.[23]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Methil Renuka (29 December 2020). "From the archives: Who is Shakeela Khan?". India Today.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Outlook". Outlook Publishing. 22 December 2008 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The soft porn queen of India Shakeela decides to tell her life story – many bombshells worried what she may reveal!". India Daily. 8 June 2005. Archived from the original on 13 June 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2006.
  4. ↑ Mini, Darshana Sreedhar (1 April 2019). "The Rise of Soft Porn in Malayalam Cinema and the Precarious Stardom of Shakeela". Feminist Media Histories. 5 (2): 49–82. doi:10.1525/fmh.2019.5.2.49.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "സിനിമാ അഭിനയവും വിവാദങ്ങൾ നിറഞ്ഞ ജീവിതവും". 24 News Live. YouTube. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  6. ↑ Nathan, Archana (14 March 2018). "After turning softcore films into hits, Southern actress Shakeela gets a biopic of her own". Scroll.in.
  7. ↑ "Smut glut". The Hindu. 8 August 2002. Archived from the original on 1 October 2004.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Shakeela, the woman who inspired genres without ever doing porn". 9 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "A Soft Porn Star's Life". 11 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Providing a political platform". The Hindu. 13 January 2003. Archived from the original on 19 January 2005.
  11. ↑ "Promises and lies". The Hindu. 26 May 2003. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003.
  12. ↑ "Why can't a Shakeela film be called 'Sheelavathi' ?". The Times of India. 14 June 2018.
  13. ↑ Actress Shakeela's 250th movie titled Seelavathi – Virgin Archived 14 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine AP News Corner. 28 January 2018
  14. ↑ "Shakeela Joins Congress in Kerala". thehansindia.com. 28 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Yesteryear actress Shakeela joins Congress". OnManorama.
  16. ↑ Jeevi (4 February 2005). "Movie review - 786 (Khaidi Premakatha)". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Alitho Saradaga: సావిత్రి అన్నీ పుణ్యాలే చేస్తే అలా ఎందుకు పోయింది.. ఆత్మకథలో అబద్ధాలు చెప్పాలా? షకీలా సంచలన కామెంట్స్". Samayam Telugu (in తెలుగు). Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  18. ↑ Menon, Vishal (16 May 2020). "Shakeela, Superstardom And A Softporn Wave That Threatened The Survival Of Malayalam Cinema". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  19. ↑ Shilpa (31 July 2019). "Malayalam Cinema's Other: Soft-porn and the Stardom of Shakeela". Ala / അല. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  20. ↑ Mini, Darshana Sreedhar (2016). "The Spectral Duration of Malayalam Soft-porn: Disappearance, Desire, and Haunting". BioScope: South Asian Screen Studies. 7 (2): 127–150. doi:10.1177/0974927616667971. ISSN 0974-9276.
  21. ↑ "Shakeela lauds her biopic that stars Richa Chadha". The Times of India. 31 December 2020.
  22. ↑ "Richa Chadha's 'Shakeela' to release theatrically on Christmas". The Hindu. 30 November 2020.
  23. ↑ Staff, T. N. M. (5 September 2023). "Shakeela offers sex ed tips while promoting Netflix's popular show Sex Education". The News Minute. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

External links[edit | edit source]

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