Meena (actress)

1982-1986: 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.^[17] She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist.^[17] She has acted with Rajinikanth in two movies namely Enkeyo Ketta Kural and Anbulla Rajinikanth as a child artist. She appeared in over 45 films as a child.^[17]

1990-1999: Debut as lead and continued success

Meena is regarded as one of the most successful actresses in South Indian cinema and has been part of several popular on-screen pairings with leading actors across multiple languages.^[18]

She began her acting career with her Telugu debut opposite Rajendra Prasad in Navayugam (1990). In the same year, she made her Tamil debut as a heroine in Oru Pudhiya Kathai. Her major breakthrough came with the Tamil film En Rasavin Manasile (1991), directed by Kasthuri Raja, in which she starred opposite Rajkiran. Her portrayal of the character Solaiyamma received widespread appreciation and established her popularity. The film was later remade in Telugu as Moratodu Naa Mogudu (1992), with Meena reprising her role.^[19][20][21] Meena entered the Malayalam film industry with Santhwanam (1991), where she played the daughter of Suresh Gopi’s character. The film’s success led to further opportunities with senior Malayalam actors.^[17]

In Telugu cinema, she gained further recognition with Chanti (1992), opposite Venkatesh. The film was a major commercial success, and Meena received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.^[22] In the same year, she made her Hindi film debut opposite Chunky Pandey in Parda Hai Parda (1992). She went on to appear in several Telugu films in quick succession, including Allari Pilla (1992), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna; Allari Mogudu (1992) and Sundarakanda (1992), both directed by K. Raghavendra Rao; and President Gari Pellam (1992), opposite Nagarjuna and directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy.

Although Meena was widely known for portraying traditional and homely characters across South Indian cinema, she also took up glamour roles and established a distinct presence. She appeared in several female-centric Telugu films, such as Pellam Chepithe Vinali (1992), Allari Pilla (1993), and Bhale Pellam (1993).^[23] She starred in Rajeswari Kalyanam, directed by Kranthi Kumar, for which she won the Nandi Award for Best Actress.^[4]She subsequently appeared in notable films including Muta Mesthri and Yejaman. Her performance in Yejaman earned her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.^[24][25]During this period, she also played the role of Sudha, a perceptive and intelligent wife, in Abbaigaru,^[26]and appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu. Her on-screen pairing with Venkatesh became particularly popular in Telugu cinema.^[27]

After Yejaman, Meena continued her success in Tamil cinema with films such as Sethupathi IPS (1994), directed by P. Vasu and co-starring Vijayakanth.^[28] She later worked with Rajinikanth in Veera (1994) and Muthu (1995).^[29]This phase also included roles in Maaman Magal (1995), Sengottai (1996), Avvai Shanmugi (1996), and Bharathi Kannamma (1997).

Her biggest breakthrough in Malayalam cinema came through Varnapakittu (1997) where she starred opposite Mohanlal. ^[30] She pair later in Olympian Anthony Adam (1999).

Meena’s Kannada film debut came with Putnanja (1995), opposite V. Ravichandran. She later paired with him again in Cheluva (1997) and Mommaga (1997). She co-starred with Jayaram in Malayalam films Kusruthi Kuruppu (1999) and Friends (1999).

2000-2009: Character roles

In 2000, she appeared in Vikraman's Vaanathaippola as well as in a devotional role in Rama Narayanan's Palayathu Amman and Cheran's drama Vetri Kodi Kattu. Meena’s performance in the Tamil film Rhythm earned her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards.^[31] She collaborated successfully with actor Sudeepa in films such as Swathi Muthu (2003) and My Autograph (2006).^[32] Other notable Kannada films in this period include Sri Manjunatha (2001), Simhadriya Simha (2002), Game for Love (2003), and Mahasadhvi Mallamma (2005). After Anandha Poongatre (1999), she reunited with actor Ajith Kumar in Citizen (2001) and Villain (2002), both being successful at the box-office. Her roles in Ivan (2002), Shock (2004), Kadha Parayumbol (2007) and Kuselan (2008) were acclaimed by the critics. She makes her comeback with Vijayakanth in Mariyadhai (2009).

2010-Present: Matured roles

After her marriage, she returned to the big screen with the Kannada film, Hendtheer Darbar (2010), marking her comeback.^[33] She returned to Malayalam cinema, portraying the wife of Mohanlal’s character in Drishyam (2013), and appearing opposite Mammootty in Balyakalasakhi (2014). She reprised her role from Drishyam in its Telugu remake, Drushyam (2014).^[34] She subsequently made her return to Tamil cinema with Annaatthe (2021), reuniting with Rajinikanth.^[35]

The pair Mohanlal-Meena later collaborated in several films, including Drishyam (2013), Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (2017), Drishyam 2 (2021), Bro Daddy (2022) and Drishyam 3 (2026).

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.^[36][37] The latter album remains unreleased after Vikram was unable to make time for the project.^[38]

Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham.^[39]

Films

Web series

Television

Television

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