Suhasini Maniratnam

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Suhasini Maniratnam
Mani Ratnam and Suhasini At The Vaanam Kottatum Audio Launch (cropped).jpg
Suhasini at Vaanam Kottatum audio launch
Born
Suhasini Charuhasan

(1961-08-15) 15 August 1961 (age 64)
Paramakudi, Madras State, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • director
  • producer
  • writer
  • dubbing artist
Years active1980–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1988)​
Children1
Relatives Charuhasan (father)

Suhasini Maniratnam ( née  Charuhasan; born 15 August 1961) [1] is an Indian actress who works in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. [2]

Contents

Early life

Suhasini Maniratnam was born at Paramakudi [3] in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu to lawyer and veteran actor Charuhasan [4] [5] and Komalam. She studied at Yadhava Christian School and thereafter at a government middle school [6] in Paramakudi before moving to Madras at the age of 12 to live with her uncle Kamal Haasan [7] and her grandmother. [8] She then resumed her education at Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyalaya in Chennai and at Queen Mary's College, Chennai. [9]

Suhasini's entry into the world of movies was quite accidental. Before completing her B.Sc. degree [10] at college, she enrolled at the Madras Film Institute to learn cinematography. She then became the first woman to graduate from the Madras Film Institute and began her career as a technician on the film set. She belongs to the Brahmin community. [11] Her paternal cousins Anu Hasan, Shruti Haasan, and Akshara Haasan are also actors. [12]

Film career

As an actress

While working as a camera assistant to Ashok Kumar, the cinematographer, during her second year at Film Institute, she was spotted by Director Mahendran. Suhasini made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil movie Nenjathai Killathe . For her first movie, she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She was introduced to Malayalam cinema through Padmarajan's Koodevide (1983), which also featured Mammootty. She appeared in the AFI Fest nominated feature film Vanaprastham (1999), which starred Mohanlal.

She has acted with the late Vishnuvardhan in Bandhana (1984), Suprabhatha (1988), Muthina Haara (1990), Himapatha (1995), Hendithghelthini (1998), Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige (2007) and School Master (2010).

She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1985 Tamil film Sindhu Bhairavi , directed by K. Balachander. [13]

As a director

In 1991, Suhasini directed the anthology mini-series Penn shown on Madras Doordarshan. The series featured eight standalone episodes examining the lives of South Indian women, and starred several of her contemporaries such as Shobana, Revathi, Radhika and Amala as protagonists. [14] [15] [16]

In 1995, she stepped into direction, helming her first film Indira . In November 1997, Suhasini directed a short television film titled Swayamvaram featuring Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Rajiv Menon. The script had been written by Sujatha and commissioned by Revathi and Suresh Menon. [17]

Suhasini directed a segment titled "Coffee, Anyone?" in Amazon Prime's Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020) and featured in the leading role alongside her cousins Shruti Haasan, Anu Hasan and her mother Komalam. [18] [19]

Other work

Suhasini and her husband Mani Ratnam have been involved in the running of their production company Madras Talkies since 1997.

Honorary consul

Suhasini was appointed the honorary consul of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2015. She held the post until 2020. [20]

Goodwill and brand ambassador

Naam Foundation

“Women empowerment starts at home. My mother raised me to be independent and my father was progressive. He was the one who encouraged me to become an actress. I have been very lucky,” shared Suhasini. [21] during a conversation with Mohammed Ali Baig at Cinematics

Suhasini founded Naam Foundation in 2010 with the objective to empower single women from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering opportunities for self-worth and independence. [22] The foundation offers a range of programs including medical aid, self-defense training, vocational and education support, counseling, and legal aid for women and their children.

Personal life

Suhasini with her husband Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam and Suhasini At The Vaanam Kottatum Audio Launch.jpg
Suhasini with her husband Mani Ratnam

Suhasini married film director Mani Ratnam on 26 August 1988 and the couple has a son, Nandan, born in 1992. [23]

Awards

National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards [27]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Nandi Awards

Filmography

Order based on number of films that she acted in.

Key
†Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Telugu

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Telugu film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1981 Kotha Jeevithalu
1982 Manchu Pallaki Gita
Manishiko CharithraChithra
1983 Bahudoorapu Batasari Subhashini
Maga Maharaju
Muddula Mogudu Sarala
Subha Muhurtham
Mukku PudakaMangatayaru
1984Nirdhoshi
Challenge Lakshmi
Aparadhi
Intiguttu
Mangammagari Manavadu Malli
Justice Chakravarthy Lakshmi
Adigo Alladigo
Bava Maradallu
Manishiko Charitra
Illalu Priyuralu
Swati SwathiWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Won— Nandi Award for Best Actress
1985KongumudiSusheela [28]
Manglya Bandham
Maharaju
Bullet Usha
Dampatyam Dr. Lalitha
Siksha Bhagyalakshmi
Jackie
Mugguru Mitrulu
Sravanthi SravanthiNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
1986 Chantabbai Jwala
Santhi Nivasam Lekha
Sravana Sandhya
Karpoora DeepamManasa
Muddula Manavaralu
Rakshasudu Sumatri
Shanti Nivasam
Sirivennela SubhashiniNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Kirathakudu Swetha
Police OfficerSeetha
1987 Thene Manasulu Radha
President Gari Abbai Latha
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam UmaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Punya Dampathulu
Punnami Chandrudu
GouthamiGouthami
Lawyer Suhasini Suhasini
Aradhana Jennifer
Brahma Nayudu
1988Anna ChelleluHerselfCameo
Bharya BhartaluAshalatha
Chuttalabbayi
Chattamto Chadarangam Padma [29]
Varasudochhadu Annapurna
Manchi Donga Madhavi
Ramudu Bheemudu Swathi
Marana Mrudangam Uthpala
Aakhari Poratam Sunadha Mala
1989Mamathala Kovela
Paape Maa PranamAruna [30]
Bala Gopaludu Rekha
1990Yama Dharmaraju
1991AmmaDharani
1992Akka Mogudu
1993Ratha SarathiDr. Shakunthala
1994 Subhalagnam Meena
1996 Ramudochadu Arundathi
Hello Guru
1997 Pelli Pandiri Dr. Prabhavathi
Egire Paavurama Yashodhamma
1998 Ooyala
Padutha Theeyaga Radha [31]
Manasichi Choodu
2000 Sakutumba Saparivaara Sametam Vaani
2001 Nuvvu Naaku Nachav Sujatha
2003 Abhimanyu Janaki
2004 Pedababu Pedababu's mother
Dost Snehalatha
2006 Seethakoka Chiluka Collector
Valliddari Vayasu Padahare Puja's mother
Rakhi Meenakshi Iyer
2007 Sri Mahalakshmi Lakshmi's sister
2008 Sangamam Dr. Geetha
Amma Cheppindi Bose's mother
2010 Leader Rajeswari DeviNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Varudu Sandy's mother
2011 Bhale Mogudu Bhale Pellam Madhavi
2012 Gabbar Singh Gabbar Singh's motherNominated—SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? Suguna
2013 Baadshah Baadshah's mother
Minugurulu Collector
2014 Legend Jaidev's motherCameo
2017 Okkadu Migiladu
2018 Tholi Prema Aditya's mother
Touch Chesi Chudu Shalini's mother
Satya Gang
2019 Yatra Sabitha Indra Reddy
Suryakantham Supriya
2020 Entha Manchivaadavuraa Jaya
2022 Malli Modalaindi Suja [32]
Balamevvadu Dr. Yashoda
Gurthunda Seethakalam Dr. X
2023 Mr. Pregnant Doctor [33]
Spark Life Dr. Indira [34]
2024 Honeymoon Express Tripura Sundari [35]

Tamil

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Tamil film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 Nenjathai Killathe VijiDebut film as an actress
Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1981Deiva Thirumanangal
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam Parvathi
Madhumalar
Palaivana Solai GeethaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1982Vadivangal
Marumagale VazhgaLakshmi
Azhagiya Kanney
Thottal Sudum
Lottery Ticket
Kalyana Kalam Geetha
Nandri, Meendum Varuga
Agaya Gangai Sumathi
Gopurangal Saivathillai ArukkaniNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1983 Veetile Raman Velile Krishnan Chitti
Uruvangal Maralam Lakshmi
Oru Indhiya Kanavu Anamika
Poikkal Kudhirai Guest appearance
Apoorva Sahodarigal
Thai Veedu Geetha
Puthiya Sangamam
1985 Sindhu Bhairavi SindhuWon—National Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1986 Mr. Bharath
1987 Manathil Uruthi Vendum Nandini
Ananda Aradhanai
Dhoorathu Pachai
1988 Dharmathin Thalaivan Sumathi
En Bommukutty Ammavukku LakshmiNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1989Thendral PuyalanadhuGautami
En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan Saradha
1991 Penn Also director
1993 Chinna Kannamma Uma
1996 Irattai Roja Geetha
1997 Nandhini Nandhini
2001 Chocolate Saradha
2003 Vaseegara Priya's Aunt
Eera Nilam Chinnathayi
2004 Shock Exorcist
2007 Satham Podathey Gynecologist
2008 Aegan Shiva's mother
2009 Balam Mahesh's sister-in-law
2010 Thillalangadi Krishna's mother
2011 Seedan Thangam
2014 Ramanujan KomalatammalNominated—Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress
2015 Kanchana 2 Channel MD
2017 Nibunan Mrs.Emmanuel
Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2 Sister Lily
2018 Sollividava Madhu's aunt
2019 Boomerang Gowri Thiruselvan
Kee Siddharth's mother
2020 Putham Pudhu Kaalai Valli Amazon Prime anthology film; also director
2025 The Verdict Elisa [36]
2026 Anantha Annapurna [37]

Kannada

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Kannada film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1983 Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu KavithaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1984 Bandhana Dr. Nandini
1986 Hosa Neeru Bhavana
1986UshaUsha
1988 Suprabhatha HemaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1990 Muthina Haara AnnapurnaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1995 Himapatha Sumithra
1997 Amruthavarshini Veena
Ganga Yamuna Cameo
1998 Hendithghelthini Radha
1999 Vishwa Indu
2000 Yaarige Saluthe Sambala Lakshmi
Swalpa Adjust Madkolli
2001 Ellara Mane Dosenu Media reporter
2003 Annavru Gowri
2005O Gulabiye
2006 Mohini 9886788888 Mohini's mother
2007 Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige KanakaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
2010 Eradane Maduve Malavika
School Master Sneha
Deadly-2
2011 Sanju Weds Geetha Lakshmi
Mathond Madhuvena Malavika
2013 Myna Doctor
2014 Sachin! Tendulkar Alla Sakshi DineshWon—SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Kannada
2015 Rebel Anupama
Masterpiece Durga
2016 Viraat Chief Minister
Preethiyalli Sahaja
NaaniSuraksha
2017 Masti Gudi Chief Minister
Vismaya Mrs. Immanuel
2018 Prema Baraha Madhu's aunt
Ambi Ning Vayassaytho Nandini
2019 Yaana Sujatha
Ayushman Bhava Harshini Prasad
2020 Varnapatala Doctor
2022 Monsoon Raaga Hasini

Malayalam

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Malayalam film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1983 Koodevide Alice
Adaminte Vaariyellu Vasanthi
1984 Thathamme Poocha Poocha Kalyani
Unni Vanna Divasam Anu
Aksharangal Bharathi
AarorumariyatheSudha
Ente Upasana Lathika
1985 Katha Ithuvare Rekha
1986 Pranamam Usha/Thulasi
Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil Janani
1987 Ezhuthapurangal RajalakshmiWon—Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal Neena
1988 Oohakachavadam Malathy
1989 Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Capt. Alice Cherian
1993 Samooham MLA Rajalekshmi
1997BhaaratheeyamRevathy
1999VarnachirukukalAnjali Gupta
Vanaprastham Subhadra Thamburatti
2001 Theerthadanam VinodiniWon—Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
2002 Nammal Snehalatha
2005 Vacation Celina
2006 Pachakuthira Akash's motherPhoto appearance
2009 Vilapangalkkappuram Dr. Mary Varghese
Nammal Thammil Rosy IAS
Makante Achan Rema
2013 Kalimannu Dr. Sophy
2015 Love 24x7 Dr. Sarayu
Salt Mango Tree Deepika
2017 Solo Mrs.Vidya Ramachandran
2021 Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham Khadeejumma
2023 Pookkaalam Clara [38]
2025Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu [39]

Other language

List of Suhasini Maniratnam other language film credits
YearTitleRoleLanguageRef.
2003 Stumble NandiniEnglish [40]
2015 Waiting PankajaHindi

As director and writer

YearTitleCredited asNotes
DirectorWriter
1991 Penn YesYesTV series
1992 Roja NoUncredited
1993 Thiruda Thiruda NoDialogue
1995 Bombay NoUncredited
Indira YesYes
1997 Iruvar NoDialogue
1999Ganesh VasanthYesYesTV series
2000 Alai Payuthey NoUncredited
2010 Raavanan NoDialogue
2020 Putham Pudhu Kaalai YesYes Amazon Prime film; for the segment Coffee, Anyone?

Television

List of Suhasini Maniratnam television credits
YearTitleRoleLanguageChannelNotes
Hasini Pesum PadamHostTamil Jaya TV
Autograph
Weekend with Stars Zee Tamil TV
Ninaivu Kurippugal DD Podhigai
2020 Bigg Boss 4 Herself Star Vijay Guest
2022 Modern Love Hyderabad GangammaTelugu Amazon Prime Video
2024 Jai Mahendran ShobhaMalayalam Sony LIV [41]
Soul Stories Rani Manorama Max [42]
Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale HerselfEnglish Netflix Documentary film

Dubbing artist

YearTitleActressRoleNotes
1991 Thalapathi Shobhana
1993 Thiruda Thiruda Heera Rajagopal
1997 Iddaru Tabu Telugu dubbed version
1998 Uyire Manisha Koirala Tamil dubbed version

References

  1. ↑ "Mani Ratnam's gift for Suhasini". The Times of India. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Kamal Haasan, Ramya Krishnan, Khushbu and others have fun at Suhasini's birthday party". India Today. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. ↑ Krishna, Nitika (20 August 2025). "Suhasini Maniratnam: Cinema has taught me to accept life as it is". The New Indian Express.
  4. ↑ "'Best in the world': Suhasini wishes dad-actor Charuhasan on his birthday". ‘Best in the world': Suhasini wishes dad-actor Charuhasan on his birthday.
  5. ↑ K, Janani (1 November 2024). "Kamal Haasan's brother and actor Charuhasan hospitalised after suffering a fall". India Today.
  6. ↑ Ratnam, Suhasini Mani (30 November 1999). "Education in Chennai: Where every learned person is a library". India Today.
  7. ↑ "When Suhasini Maniratnam was embarrassed by uncle Kamal Haasan during her college days: 'I used to beg him to wear trousers'". The Times of India. 29 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "From Paramakudi to winning an international award in Minsk". suhasini.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Ratnam, Suhasini Mani (30 November 1999). "Education in Chennai: Where every learned person is a library". India Today.
  10. ↑ Saraswat, Sarthak (11 June 2017). "Nothing pays like hard work: Suhasini Maniratnam". The Hindu.
  11. ↑ "The reluctant star". The Times of India. 15 August 2001.
  12. ↑ "Suhasini Mani Ratnam: Nepotism accusations haven't reached the South yet". Cinema Express . 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "Priyamani to Suhasini: 6 Tamil actresses who won a National Award". www.zoomtventertainment.com. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "Penn, they don't make them like these anymore!". The New Indian Express. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Suhasini Maniratnam is in search of something special". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Tribune – Windows – Main Feature". Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "Movies have been the love of my life!". suhasini.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Putham Pudhu Kaalai review: A very average anthology". Sify . Archived from the original on 16 October 2020.
  19. ↑ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (15 October 2020). "'Putham Pudhu Kaalai' movie review: A delightful look at life and relationships during lockdown". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  20. ↑ Tamil, Galatta (30 January 2020). "Suhasini honorary council for Luxembourg". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  21. ↑ Krishna, Nitika (20 August 2025). "Suhasini Maniratnam: Cinema has taught me to accept life as it is". New Indian Express . Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  22. ↑ "'I would rather teach fishing than give fish'". 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  23. ↑ "Suhasini wishes her husband Mani Ratnam on their wedding anniversary". The Times of India. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  24. ↑ https://archive.org/details/36th-annual-filmfare-south-winners
  25. ↑ "Vidura". 1989.
  26. ↑ "38th Filmfare Awards Kannada Winners". 16 April 2025.
  27. ↑ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "Kongumudi (1985)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  29. ↑ CHATTAMTHO CHADARANGAM | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | SOBHAN BABU | SARATH BABU |ARJUN | SHARADA | V9 VIDEOS . Retrieved 1 May 2024– via www.youtube.com.
  30. ↑ "Pape Maa Pranam (1989)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ↑ "PAADUTHA TEEYAGA". Andhra Today. Archived from the original on 22 June 2002.
  32. ↑ "Here's the captivating first look of Sumanth's relationship drama Malli Modalaindi". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  33. ↑ "Mr Pregnant: Syed Sohel's 'Katha Veruntadhi' song gets good response". The Times of India . 20 January 2022. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  34. ↑ "Vikranth Reddy-starrer Telugu Film Spark: LIFE Fails To Impress Audience". News18. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  35. ↑ "Director K Raghavendra Rao Releases Title Track Of Honeymoon Express". News18. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  36. ↑ Features, C. E. (30 April 2025). "Suhasini Mani Ratnam-Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's The Verdict gets release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  37. ↑ "Anantha Movie Review: Faith anthology for the already faithful". The Times of India.
  38. ↑ "First single from Pookkaalam out". Cinema Express . 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  39. ↑ "Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu OTT: മധുരം ജീവാമൃത ബിന്ദു ഒടിടിയിലെത്തി, എവിടെ കാണാം?". Indian Express (in Malayalam). 1 November 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  40. ↑ Gumaste, Deepa (21 February 2003). "The Rediff Review: Stumble". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  41. ↑ "Saiju Kurup's Sony LIV series Jai Mahendran gets a release date". Cinema Express . 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  42. ↑ "From Soul Stories to 1000 Babies: New Malayalam OTT releases to watch this week on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video". The Economic Times. 22 October 2024. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 6 August 2025.

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