Monisha Unni

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Monisha Unni
Monisha Unni.jpg
Born
24 January 1970 Panniyankara, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Died5 December 1992(1992-12-05) (aged 22)
X-ray Junction, Cherthala, Alappuzha
Alma mater Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
Occupation(s)Actress
Classical Dancer
Years active1984–1992
Known for Nakhakshathangal
Perumthachan
Kamaladalam
Parent(s)Narayanan Unni
Sreedevi Unni

Monisha Unni (24 January 1970 – 5 December 1992) was an Indian actress, known for her works in Malayalam, Tamil cinema. [1]

Contents

Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive the National Film Award for Best Actress for Nakhakshathangal (1986), her debut feature film. [2] Along with Sharada, Shobhana, Meera Jasmine, Surabhi Lakshmi and Shobha, Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress. [3] [4]

In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such as M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, Priyadarshan, Ajayan, Kamal and Sibi Malayil. [5]

Early life

Monisha Unni was born in Panniyankara, Kozhikode in 1971 to Narayanan Unni and Sreedevi Unni. [6] She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore and Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore. She completed her graduation in psychology at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. [7] She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni. [8]

Death

Monisha Unni was working on the Malayalam film Cheppadividya when she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother Sreedevi Unni met with an accident near Cherthala in Alappuzha. While her mother escaped with fractures and bruises, Monisha succumbed to her injuries. [3]

Career

Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M. T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into films. She made her debut in Nakhakshathangal (1986), which was written by M. T. and directed by Hariharan. The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, won her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987. [7]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
1984Paavayya Tamil A 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan (based on "Vilaivu", a short story by K. I. Rajanarayanan)
1986 Nakhakshathangal Gowri Malayalam National Film Award for Best Actress. Written by MT Vasudevan Nair and directed by Hariharan.
1986 Rithubhedam ThankamaniMalayalam
1986 Sayam Sandhya VinumolMalayalam
1987 Pookkal Vidum Thudhu Gowri Tamil Directed by Sreedhar Rajan
1987Lawyer Bharathi DeviLeela Telugu First Telugu film; directed by G Rammohan Rao
1988 Aryan SainabhaMalayalamWritten by T. Damodaran and directed by Priyadarshan
1988Chiranjeevi SudhakarSandhya, Sarala (Twin Role) Kannada Only Kannada film; directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
1988 Kanakambarangal SreedeviMalayalam
1989 Dravidan SalmaTamilRemake of Aryan (1988) by R Kirshnamoorthy
1989 Adhipan GeethaMalayalamWritten by Jagadeesh and directed by K. Madhu
1990 Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom SathiMalayalam
1990 Veena Meettiya Vilangukal SrideviMalayalam
1990 Perumthachan Kunhikkavu ThamburattiMalayalamWritten by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Ajayan. The film won the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director.
1990KaazhchakkappuramAmmuMalayalam
1991 Venal Kinavukal NaliniMalayalam
1991 Kadavu DeviMalayalamA film by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on Kadathuthoni by S. K. Pottekkatt. The film won the Special Jury Award at the Singapore International Film Festival, the Grand Prix at the Japanese Film Festival, the National Film Award for Best Screenplay and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film.
1992 Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen DhanamTamil
1992 Thalastaanam RadhaMalayalamWritten by Renji Panicker and directed by Shaji Kailas
1992 Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam VijiMalayalamDirected by P. Chandrashekhar
1992 Kudumbasammetham ThulasiMalayalam
1992 Kamaladalam MalavikaMalayalamWritten by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil
1992 Champakulam Thachan AmmuMalayalamWritten by Sreenivasan and directed by Kamal
1992 Cheppadividya ElsaMalayalamDirected by G. S. Vijayan
1993 Moondravadhu Kann PriyaTamilDirected by Manivannan

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References

  1. ↑ "വീണ്ടും ഞാന്‍ തനിച്ചായി | mangalam.com". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Remembering actress Monisha Unni on her 29th death anniversary". The Times of India. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Losing her wish, she turned to dance – the Hindu". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Remembering Monisha Unni – the Hindu". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Manorama Online | Movies | Nostalgia |". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "Remembering 'Manjal Prasadam Nettiyil Charthiya' girl Monisha Unni on her death anniversary – Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  7. 1 2 Weblokam Profile of Monisha Archived 2 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine . Weblokam.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-20.
  8. ↑ "മോനിഷയുടെ കഥ | mangalam.com". Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
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