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

(1976-09-16) 16 September 1976[1][2][3][4]
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationActress
Years active1982–present
Spouse
  • Vidyasagar
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2009; died 2022)​
Children1

Meena Durairaj (born 16 September 1976), known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in the South Indian films as well as Hindi cinema. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.[5][6] Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films[7] She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry.[8] In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist.[9] She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress[10][11][12] and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.[13]

Early life

Meena was born and brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother Rajamallika from Kannur district of Kerala while her father Durairaj is from Andhra.[14][15]

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.[16] She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist.[16] 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.[16]

Lead female roles

Meena has been one of the top star pairing up with every big star down South.[17] 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. Her first break was through 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.[18][19][20]

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.[16]

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.[21] 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.[10] She followed it up with films like Muta Mesthri and Yejaman. This performance won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.[22][23] She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru.[24] She also appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu.

In 1994, she has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS co-starring Vijayakanth.[25] In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth in Veera and Muthu (1995).[26] 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 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.[27]

Venkatesh and Meena, in particular, were a popular pair in Telugu cinema.[28]

In 2000, her role in Rhythm won her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards.[29]

Meena's releases in 2009 were Mariyadhai with Vijayakanth, directed by Vikraman. Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko with Sreenivasan.[30] She played in Telugu as Saint Vengamamba in Tarigonda Vengamamba, directed by Uday Bhaskar.[31]

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.[32] In 2011, she played the role of Narain's sister in the film Thambikottai.[33][34][35]

Meena returned to Malayalam cinema played the role of wife to Mohanlal in Drishyam (2013) and Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. She reprised her role in the 2014 Telugu remake, Drushyam.[36] Meena returned to Tamil cinema in Annaatthe (2021) with Rajinikanth.[37]

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.[38][39]

Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham.[40]

Personal life

Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam.[41] The couple has a daughter Nainika who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016).[42] Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung related ailments.[43]

Filmography

Films

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearMovie titleRoleLanguageNotes
1982NenjangalKidnapped childTamilChild artist
Enkeyo Ketta KuralMeena
Parvaiyin MarupakkamGeetha
Theerpugal ThiruththapadalamPriya
1983Thandikkapatta NiyayangalPlayful child
SumangaliDoll-selling girl
Siripuram MonagaduTelugu
1984ThiruppamTamil
Illalu PriyuraluTelugu
YaadgarHindi
Bava MaradalluTelugu
Kode TrachuRoja
Anbulla RajinikanthRosyTamil
Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha KathaRajaniMalayalam
ManasariyatheMinimol
1985Panneer NadhigalTamil
Uyire UnakkagaYoung Vijayanirmala Devi
Rendu Rella Aaruyoung VighneswariTelugu
KhooniAruna
1986Penn SimhamMalayalam
SirivennelaTelugu
Lakshmi VanthachuPlayful childTamil
1990KartavyamKarunaTelugu
NavayugamSumathiDebut as heroine
Prajala ManishiRoopa
Oru Pudhiya KadhaiMahaTamil
1991Seetharamayya Gari ManavaraluSeethaTelugu
En Rasavin ManasileCholaiammaTamil
Indra BhavanamTelugu
Idhaya OonjalChithraTamil
Idhaya VaasalVaani
JagannatakamJhansiTelugu
SandhwanamRajalakshmiMalayalam
Chengalva PudandaTelugu
1992ChantiNandini
Parda Hai PardaMayaHindi
Allari PillaNandiniTelugu
Allari MoguduNeelambari
SundarakandaNanchari
President Gari PellamSwapna
Pellam Chepte VinaliGeetha
Bangaru MaamaKasthuri
Moratodu Naa Mogudu
AswamedhamDr. Bharati
1993Rajeswari KalyanamRajeshwari
Konguchatu KrishnaduSaccha
Muta MesthriBuchamma
YejamanVaitheeswari VaanavaraayanTamil
AbbaigaruSudhaTelugu
Allari AlluduSandhya
1994Sethupathi IPSChandramathiTamil
RajakumaranSelvi
Anga RakshakuduMeenuTelugu
Bhale PellamBharathi
VeeraDevayanaiTamil
Punya Bhoomi Naa DesamSwathiTelugu
Bobbili SimhamVenkatalakshmi
Thai MaamanMeenaTamil
NattamaiMeena
1995PutnanjaRoseKannada
Oru Oorla Oru RajakumariLakshmi PrabhaTamil
Chilakapachcha KaapuramRadhaTelugu
CoolieVimalaTamil
MarumaganManjula
Nadodi MannanMeenakshi,
Priya
MuthuRanganayaki
Aalu MagaluMallikaTelugu
Maaman MagalPriyaTamil
1996SengottaiMeena
Avvai ShanmugiJanaki
1997Bharathi KannammaKannamma
VarnapakittuSandra,
Alina		Malayalam
VallalAnnamTamil
Muddula MoguduSirishaTelugu
CheluvaMeenaKannada
Pasamulla PandiyareVellayammaTamil
PanjaramTelugu
MommagaGowriKannada
PorkkaalamMaragathamTamil
1998UlavuthuraiMeena
Naam Iruvar Nammaku IruvarIndu
SuryavamsamSwapnaTelugu
Kusruthi KuruppuMeeraMalayalam
HarichandraNandhiniTamil
GillikajjaluSatyabhamaTelugu
Pape Naa PranamPriya
1999Sneham KosamPrabhavathi
Velugu NeedaluRadha
FriendsPadminiMalayalam
PeriyannaShenbagamTamil
Anandha PoongatreMeenakshi
Krishna BabuRamaTelugu
Bobbili VamshamRajyalakshmi
Olympiyan Anthony AdamAngelMalayalam
IraniyanPonniTamil
Unnaruge Naan IrundhalMahalakshmi
Manam Virumbuthe UnnaiPriya
2000Vanathai PolaGowri Muthu
Palayathu AmmanPalayathu Amman
Vetri Kodi KattuValli Muthuraman
DoublesMeena
RhythmChitra
MaayiBhuvaneswari
DreamsNirmala MathanMalayalam
Maa AnnayyaWifeTelugu
ThenaliMeena (herself)TamilSpecial appearance
AnbudanShanthiGuest appearance
2001RishiIndu
CitizenSevali
Sri ManjunathaGoddess ParvathiKannada
Sri Manjunatha Goddess

Parvathi

 Telugu
Rakshasa RajavMeeraMalayalam
Ammayi KosamAnjaliTelugu
ShahjahanMeenaTamilSpecial appearance
Grama DevatheAngala ParameswariKannada
2002Angala ParameswariAngala Parameswari AmmanTamil
DhayaThulasi
Simhadriya SimhaDeepaKannada
DevanUmaTamil
IvanMeena Kumari
Namma Veetu KalyanamMeena
Padai Veetu AmmanPadai Veetu Amman,
Muthu Maariamman
VillainThangam
2003PaaraiMallika
Swathi MuthuLalithaKannada
Mr. BrahmachariGangaMalayalam
SimhachalamSimhachalam's wifeTelugu
Game for LoveAmruthaKannada
2004ShockMaliniTamil
Puttintiki Ra ChelliWifeTelugu
Bharatasimha ReddyDevudayya's wife
SwamySwamy's wife
GowdruParvatiKannadaGuest appearance
Aalukkoru AasaiEshwariTamil
NatturajavuMayaMalayalam
2005Mahasadhvi MallammaMallammaKannada
KannammaKannammaTamil
Udayananu TharamMadhumathi UdayabhanuMalayalam
Chandrolsavam Indulekha
2006My AutographDivyaKannada
Karutha PakshikalSuvarnnaMalayalam
2007Kadha ParayumbolSridevi Balan
Black CatMeenakshi
2008KuselanSridevi BalakrishnanTamil
KathanayakuduSreedeviTelugu
Magic LampAnupamaMalayalam
2009MariyadhaiRadhaTamil
Katha, Samvidhanam: KunchackoAnn MaryMalayalam
VengamambaTarigonda VengamambaTelugu
2010DasannaMalli
Hendtheer DarbarRadhaKannada
2011ThambikottaiShanmugapriyaTamil
2012Sri Vasavi VaibhavamGoddess LakshmiTelugu
2013Sri Jagadguru Aadi SankaraGangadevi
DrishyamRani GeorgeMalayalam
2014BalyakalasakhiMajeed's mother
DrushyamJyothiTelugu
2015Mama Manchu Alludu KanchuSuryakantham
2017Munthirivallikal ThalirkkumbolAnnyammaMalayalam
2020ShylockLakshmi Ayyanar
2021Drishyam 2Rani George[44]
AnnaattheMangayarkarasiTamil
Drushyam 2JyothiTelugu[45]
2022Bro DaddyAnnammaMalayalamOTT release Disney+ Hotstar
2023 Rowdy Baby † TBA Tamil Filming [46]
2024 Aanandhapuram Diaries † TBA Malayalam Filming [47]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Awarded for Result Ref.
1991Cinema Express AwardsBest ActressSeetharamayya Gari Manavaralu Won [48]
1992Nandi AwardsRajeswari Kalyanam Won [10]
1993Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsBest ActressEjamaan Won [13]
1996Dinakaran Film AwardsBest ActressAvvai Shanmugi Won [49]
1997Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsBest ActressPorkkaalam Won [13]
1997Filmfare Awards SouthBest ActressBharathi Kannamma Won [50]
1997Filmfans Association AwardsBest ActressBharathi Kannamma Won [51]
1998Kalaimamani AwardsKalaimamaniContribution to Tamil Cinema Won [22]
2000Cinema Express AwardsBest ActressRhythm Won [52]
2002Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsBest ActressIvan Won [53]
2003Filmfare Awards SouthBest Kannada ActressSwathi Muthu Won [54]
200653rd Filmfare Awards SouthBest Kannada ActressMy Autograph Nominated [55]
2009Ugadi Puraskar Awards
TSR – TV9 Film Awards		Special Jury AwardVenkamamba Won [56][57]
2013Filmfare Awards SouthBest ActressDrishyam Nominated [58]
2013Asianet Film Awards
Vayalar Awards		Best Character Actress
Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress		Drishyam Won [59]
2014TSR – TV9 Film AwardsTSR – TV9 Special JuryDrushyam Won

Television

YearTitleRoleLanguageChannelNotes
1990Anbulla Amma (co-starring with actress Manorama)ShyamalaTamilDoordarshanTV serial
2005HousefullShow HostTamilJaya TVTV show
2006-2008LakshmiLakshmiTamilSun TVTV serial
2007Mastana Mastana season 1JudgeTamilSun TVDance show
2009KalyanamMeera/SujathaTamilSun TVTV serial
Tarikonda VenkamambaTarikonda VenkamambaTeluguSVBC TVTV serial
Boys VS Girls season 2JudgeTamilVijay TVDance show
2011Jodi Number One Season 5Special JudgeTamilVijay TV
2012Nee Kongu Bangaram GanuHostTeluguMAA TVTV show
VeeraJudgeTeluguETVDance show
Super KudumbamJudgeTamilSun TVTV show
AnubandhaluSharadaTeluguGemini TVTV serial
2013Bharthakkanmarude SradhakkuJudgeMalayalamAsianetTV show
2014Super KutumbamJudgeTeluguGemini TVDance show
2015Manada Mayilada season 10JudgeTamilKalaignar TV
2016Dance DanceSpecial JudgeKannadaStar Suvarna
2017Junior SeniorJudgeTamilZee TamilReality show
2017Ningalkkum Aakaam KodeeshwaranContestantMalayalamAsianetGame show
2019LolluppaJudgeTamilSun TVTV Programme
Extra JabardasthJudgeTeluguETV
Karoline KamakshiKamakshiTamilZEE5Web series
2021Top SingerJudgeMalayalamFlowers TVMusic Reality Show
2022Panam Tharum PadamContestantMalayalamMazhavil Manorama
2023Ammayum MakalumSpecial JudgeMalayalamAmrita TV
2023Ente Amma SuperaJudgeMalayalamMazhavil Manorama

References

  1. ↑ "Happy Birthday Meena: 5 Best Movies of the Great Performer". The Times of India. 16 September 2020.
  2. ↑ K., Janani (16 September 2020). "Mohanlal welcomes Meena to Drishyam 2 set on her 44th birthday". India Today.
  3. ↑ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". The News Minute. 16 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "Meena celebrates her birthday with BFFs". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  5. ↑ "Diva in the drawing room - CHEN - The Hindu". The Hindu. 5 July 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Happy birthday Meena! - Kannada News". IndiaGlitz.com. 16 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "Meena celebrates four decades in cinema". The Times of India.
  8. ↑ "Did you know Meena has roots back in Kerala?". The Times of India. 13 July 2022.
  9. ↑ Athira M. (29 May 2013). "A different scene". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. 13 March 2010. p. 34. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  11. ↑ "Vengamamba bags 4 TV Nandi awards". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "SVBC channel serials win 11 Nandi awards". The Siasat Daily – Archive.
  13. 1 2 3 "Tamilnadu Government Cinema Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  14. ↑ "5 non-Malayali actresses who made it big in Malayalam Cinema". The Times of India. 29 November 2020.
  15. ↑ Ali and Meena. Alitho Saradaga | 3 April 2017 | Full Episode | Meena | ETV Telugu (in Telugu). ETV Telugu. Event occurs at 15m.
  16. 1 2 3 4 George, Vijay (19 March 2005). "Leading lady". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 23 May 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  17. ↑ "Evergreen heroine: Meena". Deccan Chronicle. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Meena Sagar on 30 years of 'En Rasavin Manasile'". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  20. ↑ "Meena Sagar remembers her evergreen character as En Rasavin Manasile completes 30 years". www.zoomtventertainment.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  21. ↑ "Chanti". The Times of India. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  22. 1 2 "dinakaran". 3 February 1999. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". The News Minute. 16 September 2020.
  25. ↑ அக் 13, பதிவு செய்த நாள். "மறக்க முடியுமா? - சேதுபதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்". Dinamalar (in Tamil).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ↑ "When Rajinikanth told Meena on Annaatthe sets that he was disappointed in her". The Indian Express. 31 May 2021.
  27. ↑ "Did you know Meena has roots back in Kerala?". The Times of India.
  28. ↑ "Best of Meena in Telugu cinema: 5 memorable roles played by the actor". 16 September 2020.
  29. ↑ "rediff.com, Movies: Meena wins award for best actress". m.rediff.com.
  30. ↑ "Sreenivasan and Meena together once again!". FilmySouth. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  31. ↑ "Meena to play Saint Vengamamba". Filmsouth. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  32. ↑ "Meena first movie after marriage". Rediff.
  33. ↑ "All about 'Thambikkottai'". IndiaGlitz. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Meena is back to Tamil". IndiaGlitz. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  35. ↑ "Meena for a Kannada remake". IndiaGlitz. 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  36. ↑ "Meena: I want to defy stereotype and take up negative roles". Cinema Express.
  37. ↑ "Actress Meena came out of the house after 40 days.. ?".
  38. ↑ "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.
  39. ↑ Waheed, Sajahan (27 September 2001). "Meena's album delayed". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  40. ↑ "Prasanna and Meena in 'Pokkisham'". IndiaGlitz. 19 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  41. ↑ "Meena weds Vidyasagar" indiaglitz.com, 13 July 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2012
  42. ↑ Subhakeerthana, S. (14 April 2016). "South actress Meena's daughter Nainika taking baby steps in films". Deccan Chronicle.
  43. ↑ "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.
  44. ↑ "In Pics: Mohanlal's Drishyam 2 Goes on the Floors". News18. 21 September 2020.
  45. ↑ "Meena, Shamna Kasim and others join Drishyam 2 Telugu remake". 8 September 2022.
  46. ↑ "'Annnaatthe' actress Meena and her family tests Covid positive; the actress confirms in a fun way". The Times of India. The Hindu.
  47. ↑ "Meena returns to Malayalam in Jaya Jose Raj's next". The Times of India. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  48. ↑ "'Chinnathambhi' bags Cinema Express award". The Indian Express. 25 February 1992. p. 3.
  49. ↑ Dinakaran, Award (5 January 2009). "dinakaran". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  50. ↑ Times of, India. "Filmfare Awards Tamil Winners 1998: Best Tamil Movies, Best Actors, Actress, Singer and more". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. TimesofIndia. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  51. ↑ "dinakaran". Dinakaran. 22 June 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  52. ↑ rediff, web. "rediff.com, Movies: Meena wins award for best actress". m.rediff.com. rediff. Retrieved 15 October 2001.
  53. ↑ Indiaglitz, Channel (22 March 2016). "Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years - Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2004.
  54. ↑ "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.
  55. ↑ 53rd Filmfare Awards South Kannada Nominations & Winners:
  56. ↑ "Ugadi Puraskar awards for women". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010.
  57. ↑ "TSR awards ceremony on April 10th". IndiaGlitz. 7 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  58. ↑ "61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) Nomination list". filmfare.com. Filmfare. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  59. ↑ "Vayalar Samskarika Vedi Awards". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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