Saranya Ponvannan is a celebrated Indian actress best known for her versatile performances across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, with a career spanning over three decades.

Saranya Ponvannan, born Sheela Christina on April 26, 1970, in Alappuzha, Kerala, is the daughter of noted Malayalam film director A. B. Raj. She made her acting debut in Nayakan (1987), directed by Mani Ratnam, opposite Kamal Haasan, which instantly established her as a talented performer. From 1987 to 1996, she played lead roles in several films before taking a break from cinema. In 2003, she returned to the industry as a character actress, often portraying strong maternal roles that earned her widespread acclaimWikipedia. Over the years, she has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and even one Hindi film (Chup: Revenge of the Artist, 2022).

Her talent has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress (2011) for Thenmerku Paruvakatru, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and five Filmfare Awards South for Best Supporting Actress in films like Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005), Em Magan (2006), Kalavani (2010), and Neerparavai (2012). Married to actor Ponvannan since 1995, she is also a mother of two childrenWikipedia. Known for her natural acting style and emotional depth, Saranya has become one of the most respected and beloved actresses in South Indian cinema, often hailed as the quintessential "screen mother."