Meena Durairaj (born 16 September 1976), known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in the South Indian film industry as well as Hindi cinema. She debuted as a child artist in the Tamil film Nenjangal in 1982 and later appeared in films produced by various regional industries [5][6] Her career spans over three decades.[7]
Meena | |
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Born | Meena Durairaj (1976-09-16) 16 September 1976 (age 46)[1][2][3][4] Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse |
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Children | 1 |
Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films.[8] She was one of the leading actresses of Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema in the 90s.[citation needed] In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artiste.[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] and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.[12]
Meena was born in 1976 and was brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother rajamallika from Kannur district of Kerala while her father Durairaj is from Andhra.[13][14]
Meena started her career in 1982 as a child artist in the film Nenjangal, featuring Sivaji Ganesan in the lead role after Ganesan saw her at a birthday party.[15] She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist.[15] She has acted with Rajinikanth in two movies namely Engeyo 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. After the success of that movie, she became a notable child artist in South Indian movies. 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.[15]
Meena has been one of the top star pairing up with every big star down South.[16] 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[17][18][19]
Meena returned to Malayalam industry with the movie Santhwanam 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.[15]
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.[20] She made her Bollywood 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), along with Mohan Babu and Sundarakanda opposite Venkatesh, both directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. President Gari Pellam with Nagarjuna, directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy.
In 1993, she followed it up with box office hits like Muta Mesthri, opposite Chiranjeevi. Yejaman, opposite Rajinikanth where she plays the role of Vaitheeswari, a simple village girl. She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for the film.[21][22] Allari Alludu, opposite Nagarjuna. Another her critically acclaimed film was Rajeswari Kalyanam, directed by Kranthi Kumar. She won Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance.[23] She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru.[24]
In 1994, she has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS as a school teacher, co-starring Vijayakanth.[25] In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth, in Suresh Krissna's Veera. She was chosen to play Devi, reprising her role from Allari Mogudu (1992).[26] It had a 150-day run at the box office.[27] followed by movies as Thai Maaman and Rajakumaran.
Meena has paired opposite to various actors across languages. She has acted with Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, Vishnuvardhan, Krishna, Balakrishna, Ravichandran, Vijayakanth, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Sathyaraj, Prabhu Deva, Sarathkumar, K. Bhagyaraj, Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Prashanth, Harish Kumar, Kichcha Sudeep, Raviteja. She had hits with the films Nattamai film directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The pairing of Victory Venkatesh and Meena has occurred five times.[28] In 2000, her role in Rhythm (2000) won her Best Actress at the Cinema Express Awards.[citation needed]
Meena's releases in 2009 were Mariyadhai with Vijayakanth, directed by Vikraman. Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko with Sreenivasan.[29] She played in Telugu as Saint Vengamamba in Tarigonda Vengamamba, directed by Uday Bhaskar.[30]
In 2011, she played the role of Narain's sister in the film Thambikottai.[31][32][33]
In 2012, Udaya Bhaskar made a film titled Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam Telugu devotional film. Meena playing as a Goddess in the film. This marks her re-entry to films after a long period.[34]
She has agreed to star in an ad film with Prakash Raj. The commercial is being directed by producer Siva. She had played a cameo in J.K. Bharavi's Jagadguru Adi Shankara-devotional film.[35] [36]
After a brief hiatus, Meena returned to Malayalam cinema and will be seen playing the role of wife to Mohanlal in Drishyam (2013). Directed by Jeethu Joseph, she will be portraying the role of a mother of two daughters, of which the elder is pursuing her plus two. The actress will also be seen in Pramod Payyanur's Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. The actress would be playing Drishyam's remake in Telugu with Venkatesh.[37] Meena was in Allari Naresh's movie Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu.[38][39]
Meena has been a playback singer for some albums with actor Manoj. Meena has composed music and sung and recorded two pop albums, 16 Vayathinile, and Kadhalism, which she began recording in 2001 with actor Vikram.[40][41]
Meena dubbed for Cheran's movie Pokkisham. Meena has rendered voice for Padmapriya Janakiraman.[42]
Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam.[6] The couple later visited Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh. The couple came back to Chennai to hold a reception at Mayor Ramanathan Chettiar Hall, in which all leading southern Indian actors participated. The couple has a daughter Nainika who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016).[43] Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung related ailments.[44]
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Movie title | Role | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Nenjangal | Kidnapped child | Tamil | Child artist |
Enkeyo Ketta Kural | Baby Meena | Tamil | Child artist | |
Parvaiyin Marupakkam | Geetha | Tamil | Child artist | |
Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Priya | Tamil | Child artist | |
1983 | Thandikkapatta Niyayangal | Playful child | Tamil | Child artist |
Sumangali | Doll-selling girl | Tamil | Child artist | |
Siripuram Monagadu | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist | |
1984 | Thiruppam | Baby Meena | Tamil | Child artist |
Illalu Priyuralu | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist | |
Yaadgar | Baby Meena | Hindi | Child artist | |
Bava Maradallu | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist | |
Kode Trachu | Telugu | Child artist | ||
Anbulla Rajinikanth | Rosy | Tamil | Child artist | |
Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha | Rajani | Malayalam | Child artist | |
Manasariyathe | Minimol | Malayalam | Child artist | |
1985 | Panneer Nadhigal | Tamil | Child artist | |
Uyire Unakkaga | young Vijayanirmala Devi | Tamil | Child artist | |
Rendu Rella Aaru | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist | |
Khooni | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist | |
1986 | Sirivennela | Baby Meena | Telugu | Child artist |
Lakshmi Vanthachu | Playful child | Tamil | Child artist | |
1990 | Kartavyam | Karuna | Telugu | |
Navayugam | Sumathi | Telugu | Debut as heroine | |
Prajala Manishi | Telugu | |||
Oru Pudhiya Kadhai | Maha | Tamil | ||
1991 | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | Seetha | Telugu | |
En Rasavin Manasile | Cholaiamma | Tamil | ||
Indra Bhavanam | Telugu | |||
Idhaya Oonjal | Chithra | Tamil | ||
Idhaya Vaasal | Vaani | Tamil | ||
Jagannatakam | Jhansi | Telugu | ||
Sandhwanam | Rajalakshmi | Malayalam | ||
Chengalva Pudanda | Telugu | |||
1992 | Chanti | Nandini | Telugu | |
Parda Hai Parda | Maya | Hindi | ||
Allari Pilla | Nandini | Telugu | ||
Allari Mogudu | Neelambari | Telugu | ||
Sundarakanda | Nanchari | Telugu | ||
President Gari Pellam | Swapna | Telugu | ||
Pellam Chepte Vinali | Geetha | Telugu | ||
Bangaru Maama | Kasthuri | Telugu | ||
Moratodu Naa Mogudu | Telugu | |||
Vidhata | Meenu | Odia | ||
Aswamedham | Dr. Bharati | Telugu | ||
1993 | Muta Mesthri | Buchamma | Telugu | |
Yejaman | Vaitheeswari Vaanavaraayan | Tamil | ||
Abbaigaru | Sudha | Telugu | ||
Allari Alludu | Sandhya | Telugu | ||
Rajeswari Kalyanam | Rajeshwari | Telugu | ||
Konguchatu Krishnadu | Telugu | |||
1994 | Sethupathi IPS | Chandramathi | Tamil | |
Veera | Devayanai | Tamil | ||
Thai Maaman | Meena | Tamil | ||
Rajakumaran | Selvi | Tamil | ||
Nattamai | Meena | Tamil | ||
Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam | Swathi | Telugu | ||
Anga Rakshakudu | Meenu | Telugu | ||
Bhale Pellam | Bharathi | Telugu | ||
Bobbili Simham | Venkatalakshmi | Telugu | ||
1995 | Maaman Magal | Priya | Tamil | |
Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari | Lakshmi Prabha | Tamil | ||
Marumagan | Manjula | Tamil | ||
Coolie | Vimala | Tamil | ||
Seral Irumboraiyin Tamil Kadhal | Tamil | |||
Nadodi Mannan | Meenakshi, Priya | Tamil | ||
Muthu | Ranganayaki | Tamil | ||
Aalu Magalu | Telugu | |||
Chilakapachcha Kaapuram | Radha | Telugu | ||
Putnanja | Rose | Kannada | ||
1996 | Sengottai | Meena | Tamil | |
Avvai Shanmugi | Janaki | Tamil | ||
1997 | Vallal | Annam | Tamil | |
Mommaga | Kannada | |||
Cheluva | Meena | Kannada | ||
Porkkaalam | Maragatham | Tamil | ||
Pasamulla Pandiyare | Vellayamma | Tamil | ||
Bharathi Kannamma | Kannamma | Tamil | ||
Varnapakittu | Sandra, Alina | Malayalam | ||
Muddula Mogudu | Sirisha | Telugu | ||
Rakata Chinhichi Nijara Kie | Indu | Odia | ||
Panjaram | Telugu | |||
1998 | Ulavuthurai | Meena | Tamil | |
Suryavamsam | Swapna | Telugu | ||
Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar | Indu | Tamil | ||
Kusruthi Kuruppu | Meera | Malayalam | ||
Harichandra | Nandhini | Tamil | ||
Gillikajjalu | Satya bhama | Telugu | ||
Pape Naa Pranam | Priya | Telugu | ||
1999 | Sneham Kosam | Prabhavati | Telugu | |
Periyanna | Shenbagam | Tamil | ||
Iraniyan | Ponni | Tamil | ||
Anandha Poongatre | Meenakshi | Tamil | ||
Olympiyan Anthony Adam | Angel | Malayalam | ||
Friends | Padmini | Malayalam | ||
Krishna Babu | Rama | Telugu | ||
Bobbili Vamsham | Telugu | |||
Velugu Needalu | Telugu | |||
Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | Mahalakshimi (Maha) | Tamil | ||
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai | Priya | Tamil | ||
2000 | Vanathai Pola | Gowri Muthu | Tamil | |
Palayathu Amman | Palayathu Amman | Tamil | ||
Vetri Kodi Kattu | Valli Muthuraman | Tamil | ||
Doubles | Meena | Tamil | ||
Rhythm | Chitra | Tamil | ||
Maayi | Bhuvaneswari | Tamil | ||
Dreams | Nirmala Mathan | Malayalam | ||
Maa Annayya | Wife | Telugu | ||
Thenali | Meena (herself) | Tamil | Special appearance | |
Anbudan | Shanthi | Tamil | Guest appearance | |
2001 | Rishi | Indu | Tamil | |
Citizen | Sevali | Tamil | ||
Sri Manjunatha | Goddess Parvathi | Kannada Telugu | ||
Rakshasa Rajav | Meera | Malayalam | ||
Ammayi Kosam | Anjali | Telugu | ||
Shahjahan | Meena | Tamil | Special appearance | |
Grama Devathe | Angala Parameswari | Kannada | ||
2002 | Angala Parameswari | Angala Parameswari Amman | Tamil | |
Dhaya | Thulasi | Tamil | ||
Simhadriya Simha | Kannada | |||
Devan | Uma | Tamil | ||
Ivan | Meena Kumari | Tamil | ||
Namma Veetu Kalyanam | Meena | Tamil | ||
Padai Veetu Amman | Padai Veetu Amman, Muthu Maariamman | Tamil | ||
Villain | Thangam | Tamil | ||
2003 | Paarai | Mallika | Tamil | |
Swathi Muthu | Lalitha | Kannada | ||
Mr. Brahmachari | Ganga | Malayalam | ||
Simhachalam | Simhachalam's wife | Telugu | ||
Game for Love | Kannada | |||
2004 | Shock | Malini | Tamil | |
Puttintiki Ra Chelli | Wife | Telugu | ||
Anbu Sagotharan | Tamil | |||
Bharatasimha Reddy | Devudayya's wife | Telugu | ||
Swamy | Swamy's wife | Telugu | ||
Gowdru | Parvati | Kannada | Guest appearance | |
Aalukkoru Aasai | Eshwari | Tamil | ||
Natturajavu | Maya | Malayalam | ||
2005 | Mahasadhvi Mallamma | Mallamma | Kannada | |
Kannamma | Kannamma | Tamil | ||
Udayananu Tharam | Madhumathi Udayabhanu | Malayalam | ||
Chandrolsavam | Indulekha | Malayalam | ||
2006 | My Autograph | Divya | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada – Nominated |
Karutha Pakshikal | Suvarnna | Malayalam | ||
2007 | Kadha Parayumbol | Sridevi Balan | Malayalam | |
Black Cat | Meenakshi | Malayalam | ||
2008 | Kuselan | Sridevi Balakrishnan | Tamil | |
Kathanayakudu | Sreedevi | Telugu | ||
Magic Lamp | Anupama | Malayalam | ||
2009 | Mariyadhai | Radha | Tamil | |
Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko | Ann Mary | Malayalam | ||
Vengamamba | Tarigonda Vengamamba | Telugu | ||
2010 | Dasanna | Malli | Telugu | |
Hendtheer Darbar | Radha | Kannada | ||
2011 | Thambikottai | Shanmugapriya | Tamil | |
2012 | Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam | Telugu | ||
2013 | Sri Jagadguru Aadi Sankara | Gangadevi | Telugu | |
Drishyam | Rani George | Malayalam | ||
2014 | Balyakalasakhi | Majeed's mother | Malayalam | |
Drushyam | Jyothi | Telugu | ||
2015 | Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu | Suryakantham | Telugu | |
2017 | Katha Veendum Parayumbol | Sridevi Balan | Malayalam | |
Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol | Annyamma | Malayalam | ||
2018 | Saakshyam | Viswa's mother | Telugu | |
2020 | Shylock | Lakshmi Ayyanar | Malayalam | |
2021 | Drishyam 2 | Rani George | Malayalam | [45] |
Annaatthe | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil | ||
Drushyam 2 | Jyothi | Telugu | [46] | |
2022 | Bro Daddy | Annamma | Malayalam | OTT release Disney+ Hotstar |
Son of India | Dakshayani | Telugu | ||
Rowdy Baby | TBA | Tamil | Filming [47] | |
2023 | Janamma David | Janamma David | Malayalam | Announced [48] |
Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel | Notes |
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1990 | Anbulla Amma (co-starring with actress Manorama) | Shyamala | Tamil | Doordarshan | TV serial |
2005 | Housefull | Show Host | Tamil | Jaya TV | TV show |
2006-2008 | Lakshmi | Lakshmi | Tamil | Sun TV | TV serial |
2007 | Mastana Mastana season 1 | Judge | Tamil | Sun TV | Dance show |
2009 | Kalyanam | Meera/Sujatha | Tamil | Sun TV | TV serial |
Tarikonda Venkamamba | Tarikonda Venkamamba | Telugu | SVBC TV | TV serial | |
Boys VS Girls season 2 | Judge | Tamil | Vijay TV | Dance show | |
2011 | Jodi Number One Season 5 | Special Judge | Tamil | Vijay TV | |
2012 | Nee Kongu Bangaram Ganu | Host | Telugu | MAA TV | TV show |
Veera | Judge | Telugu | ETV | Dance show | |
Super Kudumbam | Judge | Tamil | Sun TV | TV show | |
Anubandhalu | Sharada | Telugu | Gemini TV | TV serial | |
2013 | Bharthakkanmarude Sradhakku | Judge | Malayalam | Asianet | TV show |
2014 | Super Kutumbam | Judge | Telugu | Gemini TV | Dance show |
2015 | Manada Mayilada season 10 | Judge | Tamil | Kalaignar TV | |
2016 | Dance Dance | Special Judge | Kannada | Star Suvarna | |
2017 | Junior Senior | Judge | Tamil | Zee Tamil | Reality show |
2017 | Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran | Contestant | Malayalam | Asianet | Game show |
2019 | Lolluppa | Judge | Tamil | Sun TV | TV Programme |
Extra Jabardasth | Judge | Telugu | ETV | ||
Karoline Kamakshi | Kamakshi | Tamil | Zee5 | Web series | |
2021 | Top Singer | Judge | Malayalam | Flowers TV | Music Reality Show |
2022 | Panam Tharum Padam | Contestant | Malayalam | Mazhavil Manorama |
Year | Award | Category | Awarded for | Result | Ref. |
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1991 | Cinema Express Awards | Best Actress | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | Won | [49] |
1992 | Nandi Awards | Rajeswari Kalyanam | Won | [50] | |
1993 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Ejamaan | Won | [12] |
1996 | Dinakaran Film Awards | Best Actress | Avvai Shanmugi | Won | [51] |
1997 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Porkkaalam | Won | [12] |
1997 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Bharathi Kannamma | Won | [52] |
1997 | Filmfans Association Awards | Best Actress | Bharathi Kannamma | Won | [53] |
1998 | Kalaimamani Awards | Kalaimamani | Contribution to Tamil Cinema | Won | [21] |
2000 | Cinema Express Awards | Best Actress | Rhythm | Won | [54] |
2002 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Ivan | Won | [55] |
2003 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Kannada Actress | Swathi Muthu | Won | [56] |
2006 | 53rd Filmfare Awards South | Best Kannada Actress | My Autograph | Nominated | [57] |
2009 | Ugadi Puraskar Awards TSR – TV9 Film Awards | Special Jury Award | Tarikonda Venkamamba | Won | [58][59] |
2013 | Asianet Film Awards Vayalar Awards | Best Character Actress Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress | Drishyam | Won | [60] |
2014 | TSR – TV9 Film Awards | TSR – TV9 Special Jury | Drushyam | Won | [61] |
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Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress | |
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1990–2009 |
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Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress | |
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1967–1980 |
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2001–present |
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