Menaka (actress)
Padmavathi, better known by her stage name Menaka, is an Indian film actress and producer.[1] She made her Debut in Tamil film 'Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta'. In an acting career spanning from 1980 to 1986, Menaka appeared in 116 films, mostly in Malayalam. She also did a few films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. She married film producer G. Suresh Kumar.[2] After 19 years, she made a comeback through the television serial Kaliveedu.[3]
Menaka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Padmavathi 27 August 1963 (age 57) Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, India |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1980 – 1987 2005 – present |
| Spouse(s) | G. Suresh Kumar (m. 1987) |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) | Rajagopal(Father) Saroja(Mother) |
Early life
Menaka, whose real name is Padmavathi, was born into a conservative Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, India.[4] She was the only daughter among the four children of Rajagopal and Saroja. Both her parents were school teachers. Her mother Saroja taught at the Lourdes Girls' Higher Secondary School in Perambur, Madras.[5][6]
Career
Menaka had become one of the highest-paid actresses in South Indian cinema when she decided to retire from acting post-marriage.[5] After 24 years, she made a comeback as a film actress in 2011 with Fazil-directed Living Together, in a character role.[7]
Personal life
Menaka married film producer G. Suresh Kumar at Guruvayur Temple on 27 October 1987. It was an inter-caste marriage as Menaka was Brahmin and Kumar was Nair.They have two daughters — Revathi and Keerthi Suresh.[4] Initially they settled in Chennai and later moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Keerthi is a film actress and Revathi is an assistant director.[8][9]
Filmography
Malayalam
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ima | Raadhu | Short film | |
| 2015 | Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum | Shobha | Balachandra Menon | |
| 2013 | Abhiyum Njanum | Devika | S. P. Mahesh | |
| 2013 | Kutteem Kolum | Subadra | Guinness Pakru | |
| 2013 | Pakaram | Parvathi | ||
| 2012 | Orkut Oru Ormakoot | Veni | ||
| 2012 | Vaadhyar | Subhadra | Nidheesh Sakthi | |
| 2011 | Living Together | Valsala | Fazil | |
| 1994 | Chanakya Soothrangal | Leela | ||
| 1987 | Kilippattu | |||
| 1987 | Neeyethra Dhanya | Shobha | ||
| 1987 | Onnaam Maanam Poomaanam | Rema | ||
| 1987 | Amme Bhagavathi | Parvathy | ||
| 1987 | Kottum Kuravayum | |||
| Poovittu Poovittu (Thammil Kandappol) | ||||
| 1986 | Varshangal Poyathariyathe | Lakshmi | ||
| 1986 | Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam | Sujatha | Sibi Malayil | |
| 1986 | Snehamulla Simham | Vilasini | Sajan | |
| 1986 | Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi | Kaveri | Priyadarsan | |
| 1986 | Naale Njangalude Vivahum | Indu | D. Sasi | |
| 1986 | Ponnum Kudthinu Pottu | Sethubhai | Suresh Babu | |
| 1986 | Revathikkoru Pavakkutty | Indu | Sathyan Anthikkad | |
| 1986 | Yuvajanotsavam | Nirmala | Sreekumaran Thampi | |
| 1986 | Aalorungi Arangorungi | Marykutty | ||
| 1986 | Viswasichalum Illenkilum | |||
| 1986 | Oppam Oppathinoppam | Rajamma | Ambaat Soman | |
| 1986 | Bharya Oru Manthri | Jayadevi | ||
| 1986 | Malarum Kiliyum | Maya | ||
| 1986 | Bhagavaan | |||
| 1986 | Hello My Dear Wrong Number | Shobha | ||
| 1986 | Kulambadikal | Susan | Cross Belt Mani | |
| 1985 | Akkare Ninnoru Maran | Nandini | Gireesh | |
| 1985 | Boeing Boeing | Sreekutty | Priyadarsan | |
| 1985 | Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya | Shalini | Priyadarsan | |
| 1985 | Mounanombaram | Indu | ||
| 1985 | Vellam | Ambika | Hariharan | |
| 1985 | Mukhyamantri | Anu | Alleppy Asharaf | |
| 1985 | Ormikkan Omanikkan | - | Sasikumar | |
| 1985 | Sammelanam | Shalini | C. P. VijayKumar | |
| 1985 | Oru Nokku Kanan | Sandhya | Sajan | |
| 1985 | Archana Aaradhana | Aradhana | Sajan | |
| 1985 | Edanilangal | Bhanu | I. V. Sasi | |
| 1985 | Anakkorumma | Devi | M. Mani | |
| 1985 | Soundarya Pinakkam | Malini | ||
| 1985 | Principal Olivil | Malathi | ||
| 1985 | Ambada Njaane! | Devayani | ||
| 1985 | Ee Thalamura Ingane | |||
| 1985 | Ozhivukalam | |||
| 1985 | Oro Poovilum | |||
| 1985 | Kandu Kandarinju | Ammini | Sajan | |
| 1984 | Muthodumuthu | Achimol (Aswathy) | M.Mani | |
| 1984 | Engane Undasane | Sunanda | Balu Kiriyath | |
| 1984 | Mainakam | Jaya | K. G. Rajasekharan | |
| 1984 | Manase Ninakku Mangalam | Sobha | A. B. Raj | |
| 1984 | Piriyilla Naam | Sherly | Joshi | |
| 1984 | Poochakkoru Mookkuthi | Revathi | Priyadarsan | |
| 1984 | Appunni | Ammu | Sathyan Anthikkad | |
| 1984 | Swanthamevide Bandhamevide | Indulekha | Sasikumar | |
| 1984 | Thirakil Alppam Samayam | Saphiya | P. G. Viswambaran | |
| 1984 | Ethirppukal | Lakshmi | Unni Arammula | |
| 1984 | Amme Narayana | |||
| 1984 | Sooryane Mohicha Penkutty | |||
| 1984 | Oru Thettinte Katha | - | ||
| 1984 | Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram | Prameela | P. G. Vishwabaran | |
| 1984 | Velichamillatha Veedhi | - | J. Kallan | |
| 1984 | Onnum Mindatha Bharya | Asha Thampi | Balu Kiriyath | |
| 1984 | Aagraham | - | Rajasenan | |
| 1984 | Krishna Guruvayoorappa | Unni's wife | ||
| 1984 | Paavam Poornima | Poornima | Balu Kiriyath | |
| 1984 | Vepralam | Beena | Menon Suresh | |
| 1984 | Aayiram Abhilashangal | Soman Ambattu | ||
| 1984 | Odaruthammava Aalariyam | Shobha Govind | Priyadharsan | |
| 1984 | Karimbu | Princy | K. Vijayan | |
| 1984 | Vellam | Ambika | Hariharan | |
| 1984 | Koottinilamkili | Radhika | Balu Kiriyath | |
| 1984 | Adiyozhukkukal | Madhavi | I. V. Sasi | |
| 1984 | Thirakal | Rekha | ||
| 1983 | Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla | Herself | ||
| 1983 | Rathilayam | Makutty | ||
| 1983 | Engane Nee Marakkum | Sobha | M. S. Mani | |
| 1983 | Pourusham | Janu | Sasi Kumar | |
| 1983 | Justice Raja | Thulasi | R. Krishnamoorty | |
| 1983 | Thalam Thettiya Tharattu | Sindhu | A. B. Raj | |
| 1983 | Thavalam | Ramani | Thampi Kannamthanam | |
| 1983 | Arabikadal | – | Sasikumar | |
| 1983 | Astapahi | Radha | Ambili | |
| 1983 | Nadi Muthal Nadi Vare | Thulasi | ||
| 1983 | Shesham Kazhchayil | Lathika | ||
| 1983 | Eettillam | Abitha | ||
| 1983 | Rugma | Elizabeth | ||
| 1983 | Kolakomban | Dr.Leela | Sasikumar | |
| 1983 | Kathi | - | ||
| 1983 | Arunayude Prabhatham | |||
| 1983 | Oru Mottu Virinjappol | |||
| 1982 | Ponnum Poovum | Subhadra | A. Vincent | |
| 1982 | Ente Mohangal Poovaninju | Sridevi | Bhadran | |
| 1982 | Drohi | P. Chandrakumar | ||
| 1982 | Kanmanikkorumma | |||
| 1982 | Kaalam | Jaya | Hemachandran | |
| 1982 | Rakthasakshi | Shanthi's sister in law | ||
| 1982 | Aayudham | Usha | ||
| 1982 | Adarsham | Malathy | ||
| 1981 | Kolangal | Kunjamma | K. G. George | |
| 1981 | Ahimsa | Safiya | I. V. Sasi | |
| 1981 | Munnettam | Indu | Sreekumaran Thampi | |
| 1981 | Guha | Suvarna | ||
| 1981 | Visham | Shobha | ||
| 1981 | Veliyettam | Jaanu | ||
| 1981 | Oppol | Malu | K. S. Sethumadhavan |
Tamil
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta | Ramayi | Ventanipatti | Debut movie |
| 1980 | Savithri | Savithri | Bharathan | |
| 1980 | Oli Pirandhathu | Kalyani | Durai | |
| 1981 | Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | Gayathri | V.Srinivasan | |
| 1981 | Kaalam | Jaya | R. S. Somanathan | |
| 1981 | Netri Kann | Menaka | S. P. Muthuraman | |
| 1981 | Mayil | - | Durai | |
| 1982 | Om Shakti | Kanniamma / Amman | S. A. Chandrasekhar | |
| 1982 | Thooku Medai | Bhavani | Amirtham | |
| 1982 | Nijangal | Menaka | K. S. Sethumadhavan | |
| 1982 | Iniyavale Vaa | Shakunthala | N. C. Chakravarthy | |
| 1982 | Nirantharam | Rani | R. K. Murthy | |
| 1982 | Nalanthana | Raji | Durai | |
| 1982 | Panchavarnam | Manimaran | ||
| 1983 | Neethibathi | Geetha | R. Krishnamurthy | |
| 1983 | Urangatha Ninaivugal | Menaka | R. Bhaskaran | |
| 1985 | Maappillai Singam | Gouri | Cumbum Durai | |
| 1985 | Engirunthalum Vazhga | R. Selvaraj | ||
| 1985 | Kadivalam | Revathi | Ram Sankar | |
| 1986 | Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren | Shakunthala | K. Rangaraj | |
| 2012 | Mattuthavani | Pavithran |
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Punnami Naagu | Poornima | Rajashekhar | Paired with Chiranjeevi |
| 1980 | Indra Dhanassu | Dr.Santhi | ||
| 1982 | Subbarao Ki Kopam Vachhindi | Durga | Dhavala satyam | |
Kannada
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Samayada Gombe | Lakshmi | Dorai-Bhagavan | Paired against Srinath, played as Dr.Rajkumar's sister |
| 1993 | Ranjitha | K. V. Jayaram |
Produced films
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Vettam | Priyadarshan | |
| 2002 | Kuberan | Sundar Das | |
| 2002 | Katha | Sundar Das | |
| 2002 | Shivam | Shaji Kailas | |
| 2001 | Achaneyanenikkishtam | Suresh Krishna | Guest appearance by Mohanlal |
| 2000 | Pilots | Rajiv Anchal | |
| 2000 | Cover Story | G. S. Vijayan | |
| 1997 | Aaram Thamburan | Shaji Kailas | |
| 1995 | Thakshashila | Sreekuttan | |
| 1994 | Kashmeeram | Rajiv Anchal | |
| 1993 | Butterflies | Rajiv Anchal | |
| 1992 | Australia | Rajiv Anchal | Unreleased film |
| 1991 | Vishnulokam | Kamal |
Television
| Year | Title | Channel | Program | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Kaliveedu | Asianet | Serial | Malayalam |
| 2006 | Ammathottil | Surya TV | Serial | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Chitrasalabham | Kairali TV | Serial | Malayalam |
| 2008 | Ammakkayi | Surya TV | Serial | Malayalam |
| 2010 | Thillana Thillana | Surya TV | Reality show as Judge | Malayalam |
| 2011 | Vivel Big break | Surya TV | Reality show as Judge | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Lunars Comedy Express | Asianet Plus | Reality show as Judge | Malayalam |
| 2013 | Rajakumari | Sun TV | Serial | Tamil |
| 2013 | Veruthe Alla Bharya 2 | Mazhavil Manorama | Reality show Judge | Malayalam |
| 2013 | Travel to Kanchipuram | Manorama News | Host (Special Show) | Malayalam |
| 2016 | Sundari | Mazhavil Manorama | Serial | Malayalam |
| 2018 , 2019 , 2020 | Comedy stars season 2 | Asianet | Reality show as Judge | Malayalam |
| 2018 | Comedy stars Plus | Asianet Plus | Reality show as Judge | Malayalam |
References
- Movies | Nostalgia |. Manorama Online (23 December 2013). Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- Malayalam actress Menaka returns to acting – Malayalam Movie News Archived 26 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Indiaglitz.com (9 March 2005). Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- Kerala News – Menaka Archived 18 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Kerals.com (26 September 2005). Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- Shevlin Sebastian (13 May 2013) Menaka was treated like a queen Archived 3 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. The New Indian Express. Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- സിനിമ എങ്ങനെ ഞാന് മറക്കും – articles, infocus_interview – Mathrubhumi Eves Archived 26 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Cinidiary. Retrieved on 11 October 2016.
- Menaka is back in front of the camera Archived 7 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Sify.com (29 October 2010). Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
- ഞാന് കീര്ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള് Archived 6 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved on 2016-10-11.
- ഞാന് കീര്ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള് Archived 6 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved on 26 January 2014.
External links
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