Here are some fascinating facts about Shobana, the celebrated actress and Bharatanatyam dancer:

1. Versatile Film Career – She has acted in over 230 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English, showcasing her extraordinary range.  

2. National Award Winner – Her performance in Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2001) earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress twice.  

3. Bharatanatyam Excellence – Trained under Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam, she established Kalarpana, a dance academy dedicated to classical arts.  

4. Prestigious Honors – She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2025 for her contributions to cinema and dance.
  
5. Royal Heritage – She hails from the renowned Travancore family, with legendary dancers Padmini, Lalitha, and Ragini as her aunts. 
 
6. Selective Film Roles – After 1999, she became highly selective, choosing films that align with her artistic vision.  

7. International Recognition – Her Bharatanatyam performances have gained worldwide acclaim, earning invitations to prestigious cultural festivals.
  
8. Academic Recognition – She has received honorary doctorates from institutions such as Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.  

9. Reality Show Judge – She has served as a judge on dance reality shows, mentoring aspiring dancers on platforms like Jodi No. 1.  

10. Adopted Daughter – She is a proud mother to Anantha Narayani, who shares her passion for dance.