Meena (actress)

Last updated

Meena
Meena at Viscosity Dance Academy Launch.jpg
Meena at Viscosity Dance Academy launch in 2015
Born
Meena Durairaj

(1976-09-16) 16 September 1976 (age 48)
OccupationActress
Years active1982–present
Spouse
  • Vidyasagar
    (m. 2009;died 2022)
Children1

Meena Durairaj (born 16 September 1976), known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in South Indian films as well as Hindi cinema. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. [1] [ citation needed ] Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry. [2] [3] In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist. [4] She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress [5] [6] [7] and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu. [8]

Contents

Early life

Meena was born on 16 September 1976 [9] [10] [11] [12] and was brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother Rajamallika is from Kannur district of Kerala while her father Durairaj is a Tamilian. [13] [ citation needed ]

Career

Child artist

Meena started her career in 1982 as a child artist in the film Nenjangal , featuring Sivaji Ganesan in the lead role after he saw her at a birthday party. [14] She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist. [14] She has acted with Rajinikanth in two movies namely Enkeyo Ketta Kural and Anbulla Rajinikanth as a child artist. Anbulla Rajinikanth , in which she acted as a terminally ill child who warms up to Rajinikanth —that became a major pointer in her career growth. Her debut in Malayalam as a child artist was in the movie Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha, directed by P. G. Viswambharan. She appeared in over 45 films as a child. [14]

Lead female roles

Meena has been one of the top star pairing up with every big star down South. [15] She made her debut in Telugu beside Rajendra Prasad in Navayugam in 1990. While her Tamil admission as a heroine was in Oru Pudhiya Kadhai in the same year. Meena's first break came through the Tamil film En Rasavin Manasile (1991) opposite Rajkiran, which was directed by Kasthuri Raja. Meena's portrayal as Solaiyamma won her fans' hearts. Later, the movie was remade in Telugu as Moratodu Naa Mogudu (1992) with Meena reprising her role. [16] [17] [18]

Meena starred in the Malayalam industry with the movie Santhwanam (1991) where she played as Suresh Gopi's daughter in the film released in 1991. Its success attracted more roles with senior Malayalam heroes. Meena has expressed a wish to do more films in Malayalam. [14]

The Telugu film Chanti (1992), opposite Venkatesh was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and the movie was a big hit at the box office. [19] She made her Hindi cinema debut opposite Chunky Pandey in the film Parda Hai Parda (1992). This was followed by Allari Pilla (1992), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. Allari Mogudu (1992) and Sundarakanda (1992), both directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. President Gari Pellam (1992) with Nagarjuna, directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy.

In 1993, another film was Rajeswari Kalyanam , directed by Kranthi Kumar. She won Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance. [5] She followed it up with films like Muta Mesthri and Yejaman . This performance won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. [20] [21] She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru . [22] She also appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu .

In 1994, she has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS co-starring Vijayakanth. [23] In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth in Veera and Muthu (1995). [24] Followed by movies as Maaman Magal (1995), Sengottai (1996) and Avvai Shanmugi (1996).

She debuted in Malayalam as a lead actress with the 1997 release Varnapakittu , where in she is in a romance with Mohanlal on screen. Later the duo was paired in Olympian Anthony Adam (1999), Mr. Brahmachari (2003), Natturajavu (2004), Udayananu Tharam (2005) and Chandrolsavam (2005) among others. [25]

Venkatesh and Meena, in particular, were a popular pair in Telugu cinema. [26]

In 2000, her role in Rhythm won her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards. [27]

Meena's releases in 2009 were Mariyadhai with Vijayakanth, directed by Vikraman, and Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko with Sreenivasan.[ citation needed ]

Return to films

In 2010, Meena returns to the big screen with the Kannada film Hendtheer Darbar . This was her first film after her marriage. [28] In 2011, she played the role of Narain's sister in the film Thambikottai .[ citation needed ]

Meena returned to Malayalam cinema, playing the role of wife to Mohanlal in Drishyam (2013) and Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. She reprised her role in the 2014 Telugu remake, Drushyam . [29] Meena returned to Tamil cinema in Annaatthe (2021) with Rajinikanth. [30]

Other work

Music composing

Meena has been a playback singer for some albums with actor Manoj. Also she has been a playback singer in two pop albums called 16 Vayathinile, and Kadhalism, which she began recording in 2001 with actor Vikram. [31] [32]

Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham .[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam.[ citation needed ] The couple has a daughter Nainika who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016). [33] Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung related ailments. [34]

Filmography

Films

Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
1982 Nenjangal Kidnapped child Tamil Child artist
Enkeyo Ketta Kural Meena
Parvaiyin Marupakkam Geetha
Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam Priya
1983 Thandikkapatta Niyayangal Playful child
Sumangali Doll-selling girl
Siripuram Monagadu Telugu
1984 Thiruppam Tamil
Illalu Priyuralu Telugu
Yaadgar Hindi
Bava MaradalluTelugu
Kode TrachuRoja
Anbulla Rajinikanth RosyTamil
Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha Rajani Malayalam
Manasariyathe Minimol
1985Panneer NadhigalTamil
Uyire Unakkaga Young Vijayanirmala Devi
Rendu Rella Aaru young VighneswariTelugu
Khooni Aruna
1986 Penn Simham Malayalam
Sirivennela Telugu
Lakshmi Vanthachu Playful childTamil
1990 Kartavyam KarunaTelugu
NavayugamSumathiDebut as heroine
Prajala ManishiRoopa
Oru Pudhiya Kadhai MahaTamil
1991 Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu SeethaTelugu
En Rasavin Manasile CholaiammaTamil
Indra Bhavanam Telugu
Idhaya OonjalChithraTamil
Idhaya Vaasal Vaani
Jagannatakam JhansiTelugu
Sandhwanam RajalakshmiMalayalam
Chengalva PudandaTelugu
1992 Chanti Nandini
Parda Hai Parda MayaHindi
Allari Pilla NandiniTelugu
Allari Mogudu Neelambari
Sundarakanda Nanchari
President Gari Pellam Swapna
Pellam Chepte VinaliGeetha
Bangaru MaamaKasthuri
Moratodu Naa Mogudu
Aswamedham Dr. Bharati
1993 Rajeswari Kalyanam Rajeshwari
Konguchatu KrishnaduSaccha
Muta Mesthri Buchamma
Yejaman Vaitheeswari VaanavaraayanTamil
Abbaigaru SudhaTelugu
Allari Alludu Sandhya
1994 Sethupathi IPS ChandramathiTamil
Rajakumaran Selvi
Anga RakshakuduMeenuTelugu
Bhale Pellam Bharathi
Veera DevayanaiTamil
Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam SwathiTelugu
Bobbili Simham Venkatalakshmi
Thai Maaman MeenaTamil
Nattamai Meena
1995 Putnanja Rose Kannada
Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari Lakshmi PrabhaTamil
Chilakapachcha Kaapuram RadhaTelugu
Coolie VimalaTamil
Marumagan Manjula
Nadodi Mannan Meenakshi,
Priya
Muthu Ranganayaki
Aalu MagaluMallikaTelugu
Maaman Magal PriyaTamil
1996 Sengottai Meena
Avvai Shanmugi Janaki
1997 Bharathi Kannamma Kannamma
Varnapakittu Sandra,
Alina
Malayalam
Vallal AnnamTamil
Muddula Mogudu SirishaTelugu
Cheluva MeenaKannada
Pasamulla Pandiyare VellayammaTamil
PanjaramTelugu
Mommaga GowriKannada
Porkkaalam MaragathamTamil
1998 Ulavuthurai Meena
Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar Indu
Suryavamsam SwapnaTelugu
Kusruthi Kuruppu MeeraMalayalam
Harichandra NandhiniTamil
GillikajjaluSatyabhamaTelugu
Pape Naa Pranam Priya
1999 Sneham Kosam Prabhavathi
Velugu NeedaluRadha
Friends PadminiMalayalam
Periyanna ShenbagamTamil
Anandha Poongatre Meenakshi
Krishna Babu RamaTelugu
Bobbili VamshamRajyalakshmi
Olympiyan Anthony Adam AngelMalayalam
Iraniyan PonniTamil
Unnaruge Naan Irundhal Mahalakshmi
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai Priya
2000 Vanathai Pola Gowri Muthu
Palayathu Amman Palayathu Amman
Vetri Kodi Kattu Valli Muthuraman
Doubles Meena
Rhythm Chitra
Maayi Bhuvaneswari
Dreams Nirmala MathanMalayalam
Maa Annayya WifeTelugu
Thenali Meena (herself)TamilSpecial appearance
Anbudan ShanthiGuest appearance
2001 Rishi Indu
Railway Coolie Telugu
Citizen SevaliTamil
Sri Manjunatha Goddess ParvathiKannada
Rakshasa Rajav MeeraMalayalam
Ammayi Kosam AnjaliTelugu
Shahjahan MeenaTamilSpecial appearance
Grama Devathe Angala ParameswariKannada
2002 Angala Parameswari Angala Parameswari AmmanTamil
Dhaya Thulasi
Simhadriya Simha DeepaKannada
Devan UmaTamil
Ivan Meena Kumari
Namma Veetu Kalyanam Meena
Padai Veetu Amman Padai Veetu Amman,
Muthu Maariamman
Villain Thangam
2003 Paarai Mallika
Swathi Muthu LalithaKannada
Mr. Brahmachari GangaMalayalam
Simhachalam Simhachalam's wifeTelugu
Game for LoveAmruthaKannada
2004 Shock MaliniTamil
Puttintiki Ra Chelli WifeTelugu
Bharatasimha Reddy Devudayya's wife
Swamy Swamy's wife
Gowdru ParvatiKannadaGuest appearance
Aalukkoru Aasai EshwariTamil
Natturajavu MayaMalayalam
2005 Mahasadhvi Mallamma MallammaKannada
Kannamma KannammaTamil
Udayananu Tharam Madhumathi UdayabhanuMalayalam
Chandrolsavam Indulekha
2006 My Autograph DivyaKannada
Karutha Pakshikal SuvarnnaMalayalam
2007 Kadha Parayumbol Sridevi Balan
Black Cat Meenakshi
2008 Kuselan Sridevi BalakrishnanTamil
Kathanayakudu SreedeviTelugu
Magic Lamp AnupamaMalayalam
2009 Mariyadhai RadhaTamil
Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko Ann MaryMalayalam
Vengamamba Tarigonda Vengamamba Telugu
2010DasannaMalli
Hendtheer Darbar RadhaKannada
2011 Thambikottai ShanmugapriyaTamil
2012 Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam Goddess ParvatiTelugu
2013 Sri Jagadguru Aadi Sankara Gangadevi
Drishyam Rani GeorgeMalayalam
2014 Balyakalasakhi Majeed's mother
Drushyam JyothiTelugu
2015 Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu Suryakantham
2017 Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol AnnyammaMalayalam
2020 Shylock Lakshmi Ayyanar
2021 Drishyam 2 Rani George [35]
Annaatthe MangayarkarasiTamilExtended Cameo Appearance
Drushyam 2 JyothiTelugu [36]
2022 Bro Daddy AnnammaMalayalamOTT release Disney+ Hotstar [37]
2024 Aanandhapuram Diaries NandhiniMalayalam [38]
TBARowdy BabyTBATamilFilming [39]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryAwarded forResultRef.
1991 Cinema Express Awards Best Actress Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu Won [40]
1992 Nandi Awards Rajeswari Kalyanam Won [5]
1993 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ejamaan Won [8]
1996 Dinakaran Film Awards Best Actress Avvai Shanmugi Won [41]
1997 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Porkkaalam Won [8]
1997 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Bharathi Kannamma Won [42]
1997Filmfans Association AwardsBest Actress Bharathi Kannamma Won [43]
1998 Kalaimamani Awards Kalaimamani Contribution to Tamil CinemaWon [20]
2000Cinema Express AwardsBest Actress Rhythm Won [44]
2002 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ivan Won[ citation needed ]
2003 Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress Swathi Muthu Won [45]
2006 53rd Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress My Autograph Nominated[ citation needed ]
2009Ugadi Puraskar Awards
TSRTV9 Film Awards
Special Jury AwardVenkamambaWon [46] [ citation needed ]
2013 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Drishyam Nominated [47]
2013 Asianet Film Awards
Vayalar Awards
Best Character Actress
Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress
Drishyam Won [48]
2014 TSRTV9 Film Awards TSRTV9 Special Jury Drushyam Won[ citation needed ]

Television

YearTitleRoleLanguageChannelNotes
1990Anbulla Amma (co-starring with actress Manorama)Shyamala Tamil Doordarshan TV serial
2005HousefullShow Host Jaya TV TV show
2006-2008LakshmiLakshmi Sun TV TV serial
2007Mastana Mastana season 1JudgeDance show
2009 Kalyanam Meera/SujathaTV serial
Tarikonda VenkamambaTarikonda Venkamamba Telugu SVBC TV
Boys VS Girls season 2Judge Tamil Vijay TV Dance show
2011 Jodi Number One Season 5Special Judge Vijay TV
2012Nee Kongu Bangaram GanuHost Telugu MAA TV TV show
VeeraJudge Telugu ETV Dance show
Super KudumbamJudge Tamil Sun TV TV show
AnubandhaluSharada Telugu Gemini TV TV serial
2013Bharthakkanmarude SradhakkuJudge Malayalam Asianet TV show
2014Super KutumbamJudge Telugu Gemini TV Dance show
2015 Manada Mayilada season 10Judge Tamil Kalaignar TV
2016Dance DanceSpecial Judge Kannada Star Suvarna
2017 Junior Senior Judge Tamil Zee Tamil Reality show
Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran Contestant Malayalam Asianet Game show
2019LolluppaJudge Tamil Sun TV TV Programme
Extra Jabardasth Judge Telugu ETV
Karoline Kamakshi Kamakshi Tamil ZEE5 Web series
2021 Top Singer Judge Malayalam Flowers TV Music Reality Show
2022Panam Tharum PadamContestant Mazhavil Manorama
2023Ammayum MakalumSpecial Judge Amrita TV
2023Ente Amma SuperaJudge Mazhavil Manorama

References

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  2. "Did you know Meena has roots back in Kerala?". The Times of India. 13 July 2022.
  3. "Meena celebrates four decades in cinema". The Times of India. 26 May 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  4. Athira M. (29 May 2013). "A different scene". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh (in Telugu). 13 March 2010. p. 34. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
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  8. 1 2 3 "Tamilnadu Government Cinema Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
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  13. "5 non-Malayali actresses who made it big in Malayalam Cinema". The Times of India. 29 November 2020.
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