Suhasini Maniratnam
Indian actress, director, producer, writer (born 1961)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Suhasini Maniratnam (née Charuhasan; born 15 August 1961)[1] is an Indian actress who works in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films.[2]
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15 August 1961
- Actress
- director
- producer
- writer
- dubbing artist
Suhasini Maniratnam | |
|---|---|
Suhasini at Vaanam Kottatum audio launch | |
| Born | Suhasini Charuhasan 15 August 1961 Paramakudi, Madras State, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Charuhasan (father) |
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 married film director Mani Ratnam on 26 August 1988 and the couple has a son, Nandan, born in 1992.[23]
Awards
- Best Actress – Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)
- Best Actress – Kannada – Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu (1983)
- Best Actress – Telugu – Swathi (1984)
- Best Actress – Kannada – Suprabhatha (1988)[24][25]
- Best Actress – Kannada – Muthina Haara (1990)[26]
- Best Actress – Ezhuthapurangal (1987)
- Best Actress – Theerthadanam (2001)
- Best Actress – Koodevide (1983)
- Best Actress – Nenjathai Killathe (1980)
- Best Actress – Swathi (1984)
- Best Supporting Actress – Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001)
- Best Actress for Theerthadanam[28]
Filmography
Order based on number of films that she acted in.
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Kotha Jeevithalu | ||
| 1982 | Manchu Pallaki | Gita | |
| Manishiko Charithra | Chithra | ||
| 1983 | Bahudoorapu Batasari | Subhashini | |
| Maga Maharaju | |||
| Muddula Mogudu | Sarala | ||
| Subha Muhurtham | |||
| Mukku Pudaka | Mangatayaru | ||
| 1984 | Nirdhoshi | ||
| Challenge | Lakshmi | ||
| Aparadhi | |||
| Intiguttu | |||
| Mangammagari Manavadu | Malli | ||
| Justice Chakravarthy | Lakshmi | ||
| Adigo Alladigo | |||
| Bava Maradallu | |||
| Manishiko Charitra | |||
| Illalu Priyuralu | |||
| Swati | Swathi | Won—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Won—Nandi Award for Best Actress | |
| 1985 | Kongumudi | Susheela | [29] |
| Manglya Bandham | |||
| Maharaju | |||
| Bullet | Usha | ||
| Dampatyam | Dr. Lalitha | ||
| Siksha | Bhagyalakshmi | ||
| Jackie | |||
| Mugguru Mitrulu | |||
| Sravanthi | Sravanthi | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu | |
| 1986 | Chantabbai | Jwala | |
| Santhi Nivasam | Lekha | ||
| Sravana Sandhya | |||
| Karpoora Deepam | Manasa | ||
| Muddula Manavaralu | |||
| Rakshasudu | Sumatri | ||
| Shanti Nivasam | |||
| Sirivennela | Subhashini | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu | |
| Kirathakudu | Swetha | ||
| Police Officer | Seetha | ||
| 1987 | Thene Manasulu | Radha | |
| President Gari Abbai | Latha | ||
| Samsaram Oka Chadarangam | Uma | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu | |
| Punya Dampathulu | |||
| Punnami Chandrudu | |||
| Gouthami | Gouthami | ||
| Lawyer Suhasini | Suhasini | ||
| Aradhana | Jennifer | ||
| Brahma Nayudu | |||
| 1988 | Anna Chellelu | Herself | Cameo |
| Bharya Bhartalu | Ashalatha | ||
| Chuttalabbayi | |||
| Chattamto Chadarangam | Padma | [30] | |
| Varasudochhadu | Annapurna | ||
| Manchi Donga | Madhavi | ||
| Ramudu Bheemudu | Swathi | ||
| Marana Mrudangam | Uthpala | ||
| Aakhari Poratam | Sunadha Mala | ||
| 1989 | Mamathala Kovela | ||
| Paape Maa Pranam | Aruna | [31] | |
| Bala Gopaludu | Rekha | ||
| 1990 | Yama Dharmaraju | ||
| 1991 | Amma | Dharani | |
| 1992 | Akka Mogudu | ||
| 1993 | Ratha Sarathi | Dr. Shakunthala | |
| 1994 | Subhalagnam | Meena | |
| 1996 | Ramudochadu | Arundathi | |
| Hello Guru | |||
| 1997 | Pelli Pandiri | Dr. Prabhavathi | |
| Egire Paavurama | Yashodhamma | ||
| 1998 | Ooyala | ||
| Padutha Theeyaga | Radha | [32] | |
| 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 Devi | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu |
| Varudu | Sandy's mother | ||
| 2011 | Bhale Mogudu Bhale Pellam | Madhavi | |
| 2012 | Gabbar Singh | Gabbar Singh's mother | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu |
| Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? | Suguna | ||
| 2013 | Baadshah | Baadshah's mother | |
| Minugurulu | Collector | ||
| 2014 | Legend | Jaidev's mother | Cameo |
| 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 | [33] |
| Balamevvadu | Dr. Yashoda | ||
| Gurthunda Seethakalam | Dr. X | ||
| 2023 | Mr. Pregnant | Doctor | [34] |
| Spark Life | Dr. Indira | [35] | |
| 2024 | Honeymoon Express | Tripura Sundari | [36] |
Tamil
Kannada
Malayalam
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Koodevide | Alice | |
| Adaminte Vaariyellu | Vasanthi | ||
| 1984 | Thathamme Poocha Poocha | Kalyani | |
| Unni Vanna Divasam | Anu | ||
| Aksharangal | Bharathi | ||
| Aarorumariyathe | Sudha | ||
| Ente Upasana | Lathika | ||
| 1985 | Katha Ithuvare | Rekha | |
| 1986 | Pranamam | Usha/Thulasi | |
| Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil | Janani | ||
| 1987 | Ezhuthapurangal | Rajalakshmi | Won—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 | |
| 1997 | Bhaaratheeyam | Revathy | |
| 1999 | Varnachirukukal | Anjali Gupta | |
| Vanaprastham | Subhadra Thamburatti | ||
| 2001 | Theerthadanam | Vinodini | Won—Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 2002 | Nammal | Snehalatha | |
| 2005 | Vacation | Celina | |
| 2006 | Pachakuthira | Akash's mother | Photo 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 | [39] |
| 2025 | Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu | [40] | |
| 2026 | Anchaam Pramaanam † | Gracy | Filming[41] |
Other language
As director and writer
| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | |||
| 1991 | Penn | Yes | Yes | TV series |
| 1992 | Roja | No | Uncredited | |
| 1993 | Thiruda Thiruda | No | Dialogue | |
| 1995 | Bombay | No | Uncredited | |
| Indira | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1997 | Iruvar | No | Dialogue | |
| 1999 | Ganesh Vasanth | Yes | Yes | TV series |
| 2000 | Alai Payuthey | No | Uncredited | |
| 2010 | Raavanan | No | Dialogue | |
| 2020 | Putham Pudhu Kaalai | Yes | Yes | Amazon Prime film; for the segment Coffee, Anyone? |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasini Pesum Padam | Host | Tamil | 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 | Gangamma | Telugu | Amazon Prime Video | |
| 2024 | Jai Mahendran | Shobha | Malayalam | Sony LIV | [43] |
| Soul Stories | Rani | Manorama Max | [44] | ||
| Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale | Herself | English | Netflix | Documentary film | |
Dubbing artist
| Year | Title | Actress | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Thalapathi | Shobhana | ||
| 1993 | Thiruda Thiruda | Heera Rajagopal | ||
| 1997 | Iddaru | Tabu | Telugu dubbed version | |
| 1998 | Uyire | Manisha Koirala | Tamil dubbed version | |
