Meena (actress)

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Template:Short description Template:For-text Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox person 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 classical dancer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. She became one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry in the '90s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Meena is also a playback singer, TV show judge, and occasional dubbing artist.<ref name="thehindu.com">Template:Cite news</ref> She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.<ref name=di>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early life

Meena was born on 16 September 1976<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother Rajamallika is from Kannur district of Kerala.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name="leadinglady">Template:Cite news</ref> She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist.<ref name=leadinglady/> 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.<ref name=leadinglady/>

Lead roles

Meena has been one of the top star pairs with every big star in South Indian movies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She made her debut in Telugu besides Rajendra Prasad in Navayugam in 1990. Her Tamil debut as a heroine was in Oru Pudhiya Kadhai in the same year. Meena's first break came with 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Meena entered the Malayalam industry with the movie Santhwanam (1991) where she played Suresh Gopi's character'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.<ref name=leadinglady/>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 were her other films.

Though Meena was famous for her homely girl roles in all south Indian languages, she acted in glamour roles and created a niche for herself. She acted in heroine-oriented movies like Pellam Chepithe Vinali (1992), Allari Pilla (1993), Bhale Pellam (1993) in Telugu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1993, another film was Rajeswari Kalyanam, directed by Kranthi Kumar. She won Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance.<ref name="auto"/> She followed it up with films like Muta Mesthri and Yejaman. This performance won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.<ref name="dinakaran">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She also appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu.

Venkatesh and Meena, in particular, were a popular pair in Telugu cinema.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

She has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS (1994) co-starring Vijayakanth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth in Veera (1994) and Muthu (1995).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Followed by movies as Maaman Magal (1995), Sengottai (1996), Avvai Shanmugi (1996) and Bharathi Kannamma (1997).

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2000, her role in Rhythm won her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

A few of her notable works in Kannada films are Sri Manjunatha (2001), Simhadriya Simha (2002), Game for Love (2003) and Mahasadhvi Mallamma (2005). Her notable works were with Kichcha Sudeep which are, Swathi Muthu (2003) and My Autograph (2006).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2010, Meena returns to the big screen with the Kannada film Hendtheer Darbar. This was her first film after her marriage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Meena returned to Malayalam cinema, playing wife to Mohanlal's character in Drishyam (2013) and Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. She reprised her role in the 2014 Telugu remake, Drushyam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Meena returned to Tamil cinema in Annaatthe (2021) with Rajinikanth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other work

Playback singer

Meena has been a playback singer in two pop albums, called Pathinaru Vayathinile with actor Manoj and Kadhalism with actor Vikram, which she began recording in 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The latter album remains unreleased after Vikram was unable to make time for the project.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life

Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The couple has a daughter, Nainika, who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung-related ailments.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Filmography

Films

Template:Pending films key

Year Title Role Language Notes
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 Maradallu Telugu
Kode Trachu Roja
Anbulla Rajinikanth Rosy Tamil
Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha Rajani Malayalam
Manasariyathe Minimol
1985 Panneer Nadhigal Tamil
Uyire Unakkaga Young Vijayanirmala Devi
Rendu Rella Aaru young Vighneswari Telugu
Khooni Aruna
1986 Penn Simham Malayalam
Sirivennela Telugu
Lakshmi Vanthachu Playful child Tamil
1990 Kartavyam Karuna Telugu
Navayugam Sumathi Debut as heroine
Prajala Manishi Roopa
Oru Pudhiya Kadhai Maha Tamil
1991 Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu Seetha Telugu
En Rasavin Manasile Cholaiamma Tamil
Indra Bhavanam Telugu
Idhaya Oonjal Chithra Tamil
Idhaya Vaasal Vaani
Jagannatakam Jhansi Telugu
Sandhwanam Rajalakshmi Malayalam
Chengalva Pudanda Telugu
1992 Chanti Nandini
Parda Hai Parda Maya Hindi
Allari Pilla Nandini Telugu
Allari Mogudu Neelambari
Sundarakanda Nanchari
President Gari Pellam Swapna
Pellam Chepte Vinali Geetha
Bangaru Maama Kasthuri
Moratodu Naa Mogudu
Aswamedham Dr. Bharati
1993 Rajeswari Kalyanam Rajeshwari
Konguchatu Krishnadu Saccha
Muta Mesthri Buchamma
Yejaman Vaitheeswari Vaanavaraayan Tamil
Abbaigaru Sudha Telugu
Allari Alludu Sandhya
1994 Sethupathi IPS Chandramathi Tamil
Rajakumaran Selvi
Anga Rakshakudu Meenu Telugu
Bhale Pellam Bharathi
Veera Devayanai Tamil
Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam Swathi Telugu
Bobbili Simham Venkatalakshmi
Thai Maaman Meena Tamil
Nattamai Meena
1995 Putnanja Rose Kannada
Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari Lakshmi Prabha Tamil
Chilakapachcha Kaapuram Radha Telugu
Coolie Vimala Tamil
Marumagan Manjula
Nadodi Mannan Meenakshi,
Priya
Muthu Ranganayaki
Aalu Magalu Mallika Telugu
Maaman Magal Priya Tamil
1996 Sengottai Meena
Avvai Shanmugi Janaki
1997 Bharathi Kannamma Kannamma
Varnapakittu Sandra,
Alina		 Malayalam
Vallal Annam Tamil
Muddula Mogudu Sirisha Telugu
Cheluva Meena Kannada
Pasamulla Pandiyare Vellayamma Tamil
Panjaram Telugu
Mommaga Gowri Kannada
Porkkaalam Maragatham Tamil
1998 Ulavuthurai Meena
Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar Indu
Suryavamsam Swapna Telugu
Kusruthi Kuruppu Meera Malayalam
Harichandra Nandhini Tamil
Gillikajjalu Satyabhama Telugu
Pape Naa Pranam Priya
1999 Sneham Kosam Prabhavathi
Velugu Needalu Radha
Friends Padmini Malayalam
Periyanna Shenbagam Tamil
Anandha Poongatre Meenakshi
Krishna Babu Rama Telugu
Bobbili Vamsham Rajyalakshmi
Olympiyan Anthony Adam Angel Malayalam
Iraniyan Ponni Tamil
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 Mathan Malayalam
Maa Annayya Gowri Telugu
Thenali Meena (herself) Tamil Special appearance
Anbudan Shanthi Guest appearance
2001 Rishi Indu
Railway Coolie Telugu
Citizen Sevali Tamil
Sri Manjunatha Goddess Parvathi Kannada
Rakshasa Rajav Meera Malayalam
Ammayi Kosam Anjali Telugu
Shahjahan Meena Tamil Special appearance
Grama Devathe Angala Parameswari Kannada
2002 Angala Parameswari Angala Parameswari Amman Tamil
Dhaya Thulasi
Simhadriya Simha Deepa Kannada
Devan Uma Tamil
Ivan Meena Kumari
Namma Veetu Kalyanam Meena
Padai Veetu Amman Padai Veetu Amman,
Muthu Maariamman
Villain Thangam
2003 Mr. Brahmachari Ganga Malayalam
Paarai Mallika Tamil
Simhachalam Simhachalam's wife Telugu
Game for Love Amrutha Kannada
Aalukkoru Aasai Eshwari Tamil
Swathi Muthu Lalitha Kannada
2004 Shock Malini Tamil
Puttintiki Ra Chelli Wife Telugu
Bharatasimha Reddy Devudayya's wife
Swamy Swamy's wife
Gowdru Parvati Kannada Guest appearance
Natturajavu Maya Malayalam
2005 Mahasadhvi Mallamma Mallamma Kannada
Kannamma Kannamma Tamil
Udayananu Tharam Madhumathi Udayabhanu Malayalam
Chandrolsavam Indulekha
2006 My Autograph Divya Kannada
Karutha Pakshikal Suvarnna Malayalam
2007 Kadha Parayumbol Sridevi Balan
Black Cat Meenakshi
2008 Kuselan Sridevi Balakrishnan Tamil Bilingual film
Remake of Kadha Parayumbol
Kathanayakudu Sreedevi Telugu
Magic Lamp Anupama Malayalam
2009 Mariyadhai Radha Tamil
Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko Ann Mary Malayalam
Vengamamba Tarigonda Vengamamba Telugu
2010 Dasanna Malli
Hendtheer Darbar Radha Kannada
2011 Thambikottai Shanmugapriya Tamil
2012 Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam Goddess Parvati Telugu
2013 Sri Jagadguru Aadi Sankara Gangadevi
Drishyam Rani George Malayalam
2014 Balyakalasakhi Majeed's mother
Drushyam Jyothi Telugu
2015 Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu Suryakantham
2017 Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol Annyamma Malayalam
2018 Saakshyam Raju Garu's wife Telugu citation CitationClass=web

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2020 Shylock Lakshmi Ayyanar Malayalam
2021 Drishyam 2 Rani George citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Annaatthe Mangayarkarasi Tamil Extended Cameo Appearance
Drushyam 2 Jyothi Telugu citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2022 Bro Daddy Annamma Malayalam OTT release Disney+ Hotstar<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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2024 Aanandhapuram Diaries Nandhini Malayalam citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

rowspan=2 Template:TBA Template:Pending film Template:TBA Tamil Filming <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Pending film Template:TBA Tamil Filming <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2026 Template:Pending film Rani Malayalam citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Web series

Key
Template:Dagger Denotes series that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Language Platform Notes
2019 Karoline Kamakshi Kamakshi Tamil ZEE5 citation CitationClass=web

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Template:TBA Secret Stories: Roslin Template:TBA Malayalam JioHotstar Filming <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Television

Year Title Role Language Channel Notes Ref.
2006-2008 Lakshmi Lakshmi Tamil Sun TV Soap opera <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2009 Kalyanam Anandhi Tamil Sun TV
2012 Boys VS Girls Judge Tamil Star Vijay Reality show <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2013 Bharthakkanmaarude Sradhakku Malayalam Asianet <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2015 Simply Kushboo Guest Tamil Zee Tamil <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2016 Dance Dance Special Judge Kannada Star Suvarna <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2017 Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran Contestant Malayalam Asianet <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2017 Junior Senior Judge Tamil Zee Tamil <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2019 Extra Jabardasth Judge Telugu ETV <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2020 Kodeeswari Contestant Tamil Colors Tamil <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2022 Panam Tharum Padam Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2023 Super Ammayum Makalum Special Judge Malayalam Amrita TV <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2023 Super Jodi Judge Tamil Zee Tamil <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2023 Ente Amma Supera Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2024 Super Jodi Telugu Zee Telugu <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Awarded for Result Template:Tooltip
1991 Cinema Express Awards Best Actress Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu Template:Won <ref name="exp">Template:Cite news</ref>
1992 Nandi Awards Rajeswari Kalyanam Template:Won <ref name="auto"/>
1993 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ejamaan Template:Won <ref name=di/>
1996 Dinakaran Film Awards Best Actress Avvai Shanmugi Template:Won citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

1997 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Porkkaalam Template:Won <ref name=di/>
1997 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Bharathi Kannamma Template:Won <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1997 Filmfans Association Awards Best Actress Bharathi Kannamma Template:Won citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

1998 Kalaimamani Awards Kalaimamani Contribution to Tamil Cinema Template:Won <ref name="dinakaran"/>
2000 Cinema Express Awards Best Actress Rhythm Template:Won citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2002 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ivan Template:Won Template:Citation needed
2003 Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress Swathi Muthu Template:Won <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2006 Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress My Autograph Template:Nom Template:Citation needed
2009 Ugadi Puraskar Awards
TSR – TV9 Film Awards		 Special Jury Award Venkamamba Template:Won <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Citation needed
2013 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Drishyam Template:Nom citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2013 Asianet Film Awards
Vayalar Awards		 Best Character Actress
Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress		 Drishyam Template:Won citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2014 TSR – TV9 Film Awards TSR – TV9 Special Jury Drushyam Template:Won Template:Citation needed

Television

Year Title Role Language Channel Notes
1990 Anbulla Amma (co-starring with actress Manorama) Shyamala Tamil Doordarshan TV serial
2005 Housefull Show Host Jaya TV TV show
2006-2008 Lakshmi Lakshmi Sun TV TV serial
2007 Mastana Mastana season 1 Judge Dance show
2009 Kalyanam Meera/Sujatha TV serial
Tarikonda Venkamamba Tarikonda Venkamamba Telugu SVBC TV
Boys VS Girls season 2 Judge Tamil Vijay TV Dance show
2011 Jodi Number One Season 5 Special Judge Vijay TV
2012 Nee Kongu Bangaram Ganu Host Telugu MAA TV TV show
Veera Judge Telugu ETV Dance show
Super Kudumbam Judge Tamil Sun TV TV show
Anubandhalu Sharada Telugu Gemini TV TV serial
2013 Bharthakkanmarude Sradhakku Judge Malayalam Asianet TV show
2014 Super Kutumbam Judge Telugu Gemini TV Dance show
2015 Manada Mayilada season 10 Judge Tamil Kalaignar TV
2016 Dance Dance Special Judge Kannada Star Suvarna
2017 Junior Senior Judge Tamil Zee Tamil Reality show
Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran Contestant Malayalam Asianet Game show
2019 Lolluppa Judge Tamil Sun TV TV Programme
Extra Jabardasth Judge Telugu ETV
2021 Top Singer Judge Malayalam Flowers TV Music Reality Show

Template:Sister project

References

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