Monisha Unni (24 January 1971 – 5 December 1992) was an Indian actress, known for her works in Malayalam, Tamil cinema.[1]
Monisha Unni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Monisha 24 January 1971 |
| Died | 5 December 1992 (aged 21) |
| Alma mater | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
| Occupation(s) | Actress Classical Dancer |
| Years active | 1984–1992 |
| Known for | Nakhakshathangal Perumthachan Kamaladalam |
| Parent(s) | Narayanan Unni Sreedevi Unni |
Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive the National Film Award for Best Actress for Nakhakshathangal (1986), her debut feature film.[2] Along with Sharada, Shobhana, Meera Jasmine, Surabhi Lakshmi and Shobha, Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress.[3][4]
In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such as M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, Priyadarshan, Ajayan, Kamal and Sibi Malayil.[5]
Early life
editMonisha Unni was born in Panniyankara, Kozhikode in 1971 to Narayanan Unni and Sreedevi Unni.[6] She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore and Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore. She completed her graduation in psychology at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.[7] She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni.[8]
Death
editMonisha Unni was working on the Malayalam film Cheppadividya when she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother Sreedevi Unni collided with a KSRTC bus at X-Ray Bypass Junction near Cherthala of Alappuzha district of Kerala. She was just 21. Monisha was sleeping on the back seat when the accident occurred. Her mother, Sreedevi was thrown out of the car, but escaped with bruises and fractures. Monisha, however, died within minutes due to cervical fracture of her spine. Reports said Monisha was bleeding through her nose and ears. Although she was taken to the nearby KVM hospital, she had died. The driver of their Ambassador car too died in the freak accident. [3][9]
Career
editMalayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M. T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into films. She made her debut in Nakhakshathangal (1986), which was written by M. T. and directed by Hariharan. The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, won her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987.[7][10]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Paavayya | Tamil | A 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan (based on "Vilaivu", a short story by K. I. Rajanarayanan) | |
| 1986 | Nakhakshathangal | Gowri | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Actress |
| Rithubhedam | Thankamani | |||
| Sayam Sandhya | Vinumol | |||
| 1987 | Pookkal Vidum Thudhu | Gowri | Tamil | |
| Lawyer Bharathi Devi | Leela | Telugu | ||
| 1988 | Aryan | Sainabha | Malayalam | |
| Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Sandhya | Kannada | Twin role | |
| Sarala | ||||
| Kanakambarangal | Sreedevi | Malayalam | ||
| 1989 | Dravidan | Salma | Tamil | |
| Adhipan | Geetha | Malayalam | ||
| 1990 | Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom | Sathi | ||
| Veena Meettiya Vilangukal | Sridevi | |||
| Perumthachan | Kunhikkavu Thamburatti | |||
| Kaazhchakkappuram | Ammu | |||
| 1991 | Venal Kinavukal | Nalini | ||
| Kadavu | Devi | |||
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | Dhanam | Tamil | |
| Thalastaanam | Radha | Malayalam | ||
| Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam | Viji | |||
| Kudumbasametham | Thulasi | |||
| Kamaladalam[11] | Malavika | |||
| Champakulam Thachan | Ammu | |||
| Cheppadividya | Elsa | |||
| 1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | Priya | Tamil |
References
edit- ^ "വീണ്ടും ഞാന് തനിച്ചായി | mangalam.com". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
- ^ "Remembering actress Monisha Unni on her 29th death anniversary". The Times of India. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Losing her wish, she turned to dance – the Hindu". The Hindu. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ "Remembering Monisha Unni – the Hindu". The Hindu. 23 January 2014. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Manorama Online | Movies | Nostalgia |". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ "Remembering 'Manjal Prasadam Nettiyil Charthiya' girl Monisha Unni on her death anniversary – Times of India". The Times of India. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ a b Weblokam Profile of Monisha Archived 2 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Weblokam.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-20.
- ^ "മോനിഷയുടെ കഥ | mangalam.com". Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ "Actors, writers remember actress Monisha on her 30th death anniversary". Onmanorama. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Unforeseen Tragedies: Monisha, Balabhaskar, Jayan and now, Kollam Sudhi". English.Mathrubhumi. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Malayil, Sibi, Kamaladalam (Drama, Musical), Mohanlal, Parvathi, Monisha, retrieved 28 August 2024