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Meena (actress)

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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 trained Bharatanatyam dancer.[1][citation needed] Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films[2] She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry.[3] In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist.[4] She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress[5][6][7] and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.[8]

Meena
Meena at Viscosity Dance Academy launch in 2015
Born
Meena Durairaj

(1976-09-16) 16 September 1976 (age 48)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationActress
Years active1982–present
Spouse
  • Vidyasagar
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2009; died 2022)​
Children1

Early life

Meena was born on 16 September 1976[9][10][11][12] and was brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother Rajamallika is from Kannur district of Kerala while her father Durairaj is from Andhra.[13][citation needed]

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.[14] She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist.[14] 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.[14]

Lead female roles

Meena has been one of the top star pairing up with every big star down South.[15] She made her debut in Telugu beside Rajendra Prasad in Navayugam in 1990. While her Tamil admission as a heroine was in Oru Pudhiya Kadhai in the same year. Meena's first break came through 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.[16][17][18]

Meena starred in the Malayalam industry with the movie Santhwanam (1991) where she played as Suresh Gopi'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.[14]

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.[19] 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.

In 1993, another film was Rajeswari Kalyanam, directed by Kranthi Kumar. She won Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance.[5] She followed it up with films like Muta Mesthri and Yejaman. This performance won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.[20][21] She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru.[22] She also appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu.

In 1994, she has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS co-starring Vijayakanth.[23] In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth in Veera and Muthu (1995).[24] Followed by movies as Maaman Magal (1995), Sengottai (1996) and Avvai Shanmugi (1996).

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.[25]

Venkatesh and Meena, in particular, were a popular pair in Telugu cinema.[26]

In 2000, her role in Rhythm won her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards.[27]

Meena's releases in 2009 were Mariyadhai with Vijayakanth, directed by Vikraman, and Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko with Sreenivasan.[citation needed]

Return to films

In 2010, Meena returns to the big screen with the Kannada film Hendtheer Darbar. This was her first film after her marriage.[28] In 2011, she played the role of Narain's sister in the film Thambikottai.[citation needed]

Meena returned to Malayalam cinema, playing the role of wife to Mohanlal in Drishyam (2013) and Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. She reprised her role in the 2014 Telugu remake, Drushyam.[29] Meena returned to Tamil cinema in Annaatthe (2021) with Rajinikanth.[30]

Other work

Music composing

Meena has been a playback singer for some albums with actor Manoj. Also she has been a playback singer in two pop albums called 16 Vayathinile, and Kadhalism, which she began recording in 2001 with actor Vikram.[31][32]

Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham.[citation needed]

Personal life

Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam.[citation needed] The couple has a daughter Nainika who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016).[33] Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung related ailments.[34]

Filmography

Films

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
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 Wife Telugu
Thenali Meena (herself) Tamil Special appearance
Anbudan Shanthi Guest appearance
2001 Rishi Indu
Citizen Sevali
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 Paarai Mallika
Swathi Muthu Lalitha Kannada
Mr. Brahmachari Ganga Malayalam
Simhachalam Simhachalam's wife Telugu
Game for Love Amrutha Kannada
2004 Shock Malini Tamil
Puttintiki Ra Chelli Wife Telugu
Bharatasimha Reddy Devudayya's wife
Swamy Swamy's wife
Gowdru Parvati Kannada Guest appearance
Aalukkoru Aasai Eshwari Tamil
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
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 Lakshmi 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
2020 Shylock Lakshmi Ayyanar
2021 Drishyam 2 Rani George [35]
Annaatthe Mangayarkarasi Tamil
Drushyam 2 Jyothi Telugu [36]
2022 Bro Daddy Annamma Malayalam OTT release Disney+ Hotstar[37]
2024 Aanandhapuram Diaries Nandhini Malayalam [38]
TBA Rowdy Baby † TBA Tamil Filming [39]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Awarded for Result Ref.
1991 Cinema Express Awards Best Actress Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu Won [40]
1992 Nandi Awards Rajeswari Kalyanam Won [5]
1993 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ejamaan Won [8]
1996 Dinakaran Film Awards Best Actress Avvai Shanmugi Won [41]
1997 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Porkkaalam Won [8]
1997 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Bharathi Kannamma Won [42]
1997 Filmfans Association Awards Best Actress Bharathi Kannamma Won [43]
1998 Kalaimamani Awards Kalaimamani Contribution to Tamil Cinema Won [20]
2000 Cinema Express Awards Best Actress Rhythm Won [44]
2002 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Ivan Won [citation needed]
2003 Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress Swathi Muthu Won [45]
2006 53rd Filmfare Awards South Best Kannada Actress My Autograph Nominated [citation needed]
2009 Ugadi Puraskar Awards
TSR – TV9 Film Awards		 Special Jury Award Venkamamba Won [46][citation needed]
2013 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Drishyam Nominated [47]
2013 Asianet Film Awards
Vayalar Awards		 Best Character Actress
Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress		 Drishyam Won [48]
2014 TSR – TV9 Film Awards TSR – TV9 Special Jury Drushyam Won [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
Karoline Kamakshi Kamakshi Tamil ZEE5 Web series
2021 Top Singer Judge Malayalam Flowers TV Music Reality Show
2022 Panam Tharum Padam Contestant Mazhavil Manorama
2023 Ammayum Makalum Special Judge Amrita TV
2023 Ente Amma Supera Judge Mazhavil Manorama

References

  1. ^ "Diva in the drawing room - CHEN - The Hindu". The Hindu. 5 July 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Meena celebrates four decades in cinema". The Times of India. 26 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Did you know Meena has roots back in Kerala?". The Times of India. 13 July 2022.
  4. ^ Athira M. (29 May 2013). "A different scene". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh (in Telugu). 13 March 2010. p. 34. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Vengamamba bags 4 TV Nandi awards". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. ^ "SVBC channel serials win 11 Nandi awards". The Siasat Daily – Archive. 9 March 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Tamilnadu Government Cinema Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Happy Birthday Meena: 5 Best Movies of the Great Performer". The Times of India. 16 September 2020.
  10. ^ K., Janani (16 September 2020). "Mohanlal welcomes Meena to Drishyam 2 set on her 44th birthday". India Today.
  11. ^ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". The News Minute. 16 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Meena celebrates her birthday with BFFs". The Times of India.
  13. ^ "5 non-Malayali actresses who made it big in Malayalam Cinema". The Times of India. 29 November 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d George, Vijay (19 March 2005). "Leading lady". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 May 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Evergreen heroine: Meena". Deccan Chronicle. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  16. ^ "The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A veteran star at a young age". The Hindu. 3 January 2007. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2006.
  17. ^ "Meena Sagar on 30 years of 'En Rasavin Manasile'". The Times of India. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Meena Sagar remembers her evergreen character as En Rasavin Manasile completes 30 years". zoomtventertainment.com. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  19. ^ "Chanti". The Times of India. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  20. ^ a b "dinakaran". 3 February 1999. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999.
  21. ^ "ஆர்.வி.உதயகுமார் டைரக்ஷனில் ஏவி.எம். தயாரித்த 'எஜமான்' வெள்ளி விழா கொண்டாடியது || RV Udayakumar activator directions M.Produced by the ejaman Jubilee celebrations". 28 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  22. ^ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". The News Minute. 16 September 2020.
  23. ^ அக் 13, பதிவு செய்த நாள். "மறக்க முடியுமா? - சேதுபதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 15 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "When Rajinikanth told Meena on Annaatthe sets that he was disappointed in her". The Indian Express. 31 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Did you know Meena has roots back in Kerala?". The Times of India. 13 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". 16 September 2020.
  27. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: Meena wins award for best actress". Rediff.com.
  28. ^ "Meena first movie after marriage". Rediff.
  29. ^ "Meena: I want to defy stereotype and take up negative roles". Cinema Express. 15 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Actress Meena came out of the house after 40 days.. ?".
  31. ^ "I will make the public know there is a good actor in Vikram" (PDF). Tamil Guardian. 27 June 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  32. ^ Waheed, Sajahan (27 September 2001). "Meena's album delayed". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  33. ^ Subhakeerthana, S. (14 April 2016). "South actress Meena's daughter Nainika taking baby steps in films". Deccan Chronicle.
  34. ^ "South star Meena's husband Vidyasagar dies of lung ailment; Khushbu, Venkatesh & Sarath Kumar express grief". The Economic Times. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  35. ^ "In Pics: Mohanlal's Drishyam 2 Goes on the Floors". News18. 21 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Meena, Shamna Kasim and others join Drishyam 2 Telugu remake". 8 September 2022.
  37. ^ "Bro Daddy first look out, Prithviraj-Mohanlal film to directly premiere on this OTT platform". The Indian Express. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Meena returns to Malayalam in Jaya Jose Raj's next". The Times of India. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  39. ^ "'Annnaatthe' actress Meena and her family tests Covid positive; the actress confirms in a fun way". The Hindu. 6 January 2022.
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  41. ^ Dinakaran, Award (5 January 2009). "dinakaran". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  42. ^ Times of, India. "Filmfare Awards Tamil Winners 1998: Best Tamil Movies, Best Actors, Actress, Singer and more". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  43. ^ "dinakaran". Dinakaran. 22 June 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  44. ^ rediff, web. "rediff.com, Movies: Meena wins award for best actress". Rediff.com. Retrieved 15 October 2001.
  45. ^ "51st Annual Manikchand Filmfare South Award winners". The Times of India. 4 June 2004. Archived from the original on 18 June 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  46. ^ "Ugadi Puraskar awards for women". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010.
  47. ^ "61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) Nomination list". filmfare.com. Filmfare. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  48. ^ "Vayalar Samskarika Vedi Awards". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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