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Menaka (actress)

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 8 min

Menaka
Born
Padmavathi Iyengar

Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, India
NationalityIndian
Occupations
Years active1980–1987
2005–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1987)​
Children2 (incl. Keerthy Suresh)
Parents
  • Rajagopal
  • Saroja

Padmavathy Iyengar, better known by her stage name, Menaka, is an Indian actress and film producer.[1] She made her debut in the 1980 Tamil film Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta. In an acting career spanning from 1980 to 1987, Menaka appeared in over 125 films as a heroine, mostly in Malayalam. She also appeared in few Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. She married Malayalam film producer G. Suresh Kumar.[citation needed] After 19 years, she made a comeback through the television serial Kaliveedu.[2] At 8th SIIMA, she received SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award.[3]

Early life

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Menaka, whose real name is Padmavathy, was born into a 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

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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

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Menaka married film producer G. Suresh Kumar at Guruvayur Temple on 27 October 1987. They have two daughters — Revathy and Keerthy Suresh.[4] Initially they settled in Chennai and later moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Keerthy is a film actress and Revathy is an assistant director.[8][9]

Filmography

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As an actress

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Malayalam

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Year Title Role Notes
2021 Bhramam Uday's yesteryear co-star
2021 8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K.G. George Herself Documentary
2017 Ima Raadhu Short film
2015 Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum Shobha
2013 Abhiyum Njanum Devika
2013 Kutteem Kolum Subadra
2013 Pakaram Parvathi
2012 Orkut Oru Ormakoot Veni
2012 Vaadhyar Subhadra
2011 Living Together Valsala
1994 Chanakya Soothrangal Leela
1987 Kottum Kuravayum
1987 Kilippattu
1987 Neeyethra Dhanya Shobha
1987 Onnaam Maanam Poomaanam Rema
1986 Amme Bhagavathi Parvathy
1987 Kottum Kuravayum Vimala
1987 Poovittu Poovittu (Thammil Kandappol)
1986 Varshangal Poyathariyathe Lakshmi
1986 Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam Sujatha
1986 Snehamulla Simham Vilasini
1986 Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi Kaveri
1986 Naale Njangalude Vivahum Indu
1986 Ponnum Kudthinu Pottu Sethubhai
1986 Revathikkoru Pavakkutty Indu
1986 Yuvajanotsavam Nirmala
1986 Aalorungi Arangorungi Marykutty
1986 Viswasichalum Illenkilum -
1986 Oppam Oppathinoppam Rajamma
1986 Bharya Oru Manthri Jayadevi
1986 Malarum Kiliyum Maya
1986 Bhagavaan
1986 Hello My Dear Wrong Number Shobha
1986 Kulambadikal Susan
1985 Akkare Ninnoru Maran Nandini
1985 Boeing Boeing Sreekutty
1985 Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya Shalini
1985 Mounanombaram Indu
1985 Vellam Ambika
1985 Mukhyamantri Anu
1985 Ormikkan Omanikkan -
1985 Sammelanam Shalini
1985 Oru Nokku Kanan Sandhya
1985 Archana Aaradhana Aradhana
1985 Edanilangal Bhanu
1985 Anakkorumma Devi
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
1984 Muthodumuthu Achimol (Aswathy)
1984 Engane Undasane Sunanda
1984 Mainakam Jaya
1984 Manase Ninakku Mangalam Sobha
1984 Piriyilla Naam Sherly
1984 Poochakkoru Mookkuthi Revathi
1984 Appunni Ammu
1984 Swanthamevide Bandhamevide Indulekha
1984 Thirakil Alppam Samayam Saphiya
1984 Ethirppukal Lakshmi
1984 Amme Narayana
1984 Sooryane Mohicha Penkutty
1984 Oru Thettinte Katha -
1984 Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram Prameela
1984 Velichamillatha Veedhi Lekha
1984 Onnum Mindatha Bharya Asha Thampi
1984 Aagraham -
1984 Krishna Guruvayoorappa Unni's wife
1984 Paavam Poornima Poornima
1984 Vepralam Beena
1984 Aayiram Abhilashangal -
1984 Odaruthammava Aalariyam Shobha Govind
1984 Karimbu Princy
1984 Vellam Ambika
1984 Koottinilamkili Radhika
1984 Adiyozhukkukal Madhavi
1984 Thirakal Rekha
1983 Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla Herself
1983 Rathilayam Makutty
1983 Engane Nee Marakkum Sobha
1983 Pourusham Janu
1983 Justice Raja Thulasi
1983 Thalam Thettiya Tharattu Sindhu
1983 Thavalam Ramani
1983 Arabikadal –
1983 Astapahi Radha
1983 Nadi Muthal Nadi Vare Thulasi
1983 Shesham Kazhchayil Lathika
1983 Eettillam Abitha
1983 Rugma Elizabeth
1983 Kolakomban Dr.Leela
1983 Kathi -
1983 Oru Mottu Virinjappol -
1983 Arunayude Prabhatham
1982 Ponnum Poovum Subhadra
1982 Ente Mohangal Poovaninju Sridevi
1982 Drohi -
1982 Kanmanikkorumma/Ushnabhoomi Usha
1982 Kaalam Jaya
1982 Rakthasakshi Geetha
1982 Aayudham Usha
1982 Adarsham Malathy
1981 Veshangal -
1981 Kolangal Kunjamma
1981 Ahimsa Safiya
1981 Munnettam Indu
1981 Guha Suvarna
1981 Visham Shobha
1981 Veliyettam Jaanu
1981 Oppol Malu

Tamil

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta Ramayi Debut movie
1980 Savithri Savithri
1980 Oli Pirandhathu Kalyani
1981 Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum Gayathri
1981 Kaalam Jaya
1981 Netri Kann Menaka
1981 Mayil -
1982 Om Shakti Kanniamma / Amman
1982 Thooku Medai Bhavani
1982 Nijangal Menaka
1982 Iniyavale Vaa Shakunthala
1982 Nirantharam Rani
1982 Nalanthana Raji
1982 Panchavarnam
1983 Neethibathi Geetha
1983 Urangatha Ninaivugal Menaka
1985 Maappillai Singam Gouri
1985 Engirunthalum Vazhga
1985 Kadivalam Revathi
1986 Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren Shakunthala
2012 Mattuthavani

Telugu

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Punnami Naagu Poornima
1982 Subbarao ki kopam vacchindhi
1988 Indra Dhanussu

Kannada

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Samayada Gombe Lakshmi Role of sister to Dr. Raj Kumar

As producer

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Year Title Director Notes
2022 Vaashi Vishnu G. Raghav
2009 Seetha Kalyanam T. K. Rajeev Kumar starring Jayaram, Jyothika, Indrajith Sukumaran and Geethu Mohandas.[10][11]
2002 Kuberan 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

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  • All shows are in Malayalam unless noted otherwise

Serials

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Year Title Role Channel Notes Ref.
1993 Scooter DD Malayalam
2005 Kaliveedu Surya TV
2006 Ammathottil Surya TV
2007 Chitrasalabham Amrita TV
2007-2008 Ammakkayi Surya TV
2009 Monoottante Onam Surya TV Telefilm
2013 Rajakumari Durga Sivalingam Sun TV Tamil serial
2016 Sundari Sethu Lakshmi Mazhavil Manorama

TV shows

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Year Title Channel Role Notes
Samagamam Amrita TV Herself
2010 Thillana Thillana Surya TV Judge
2011 Vivel Big break Surya TV
2011 Hairomax Mrs.Kerala Asianet
2012 Lunars Comedy Express Asianet Plus
2013 Veruthe Alla Bharya 2 Mazhavil Manorama
2013 Travel to Kanchipuram Manorama News Host
2013 Varthaprabhatham Asianet News Herself
2013 Jeevitham Ithuvare Jaihind TV Herself
2013 Manassiloru Mazhavillu Kairali TV Herself
2014 JB Junction Kairali TV Herself
2017 Komady Circus Mazhavil Manorama Jury
2017 Onnum Onnum Moonu Mazhavil Manorama Herself
2018-2020 Comedy stars season 2 Asianet Judge
2018 Comedy stars Plus Asianet Plus
2021 Red Carpet Amrita TV Mentor
2022 MY G Flowers Oru Kodi Flowers TV Participant

References

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  1. ^ "Movies Nostalgia". Manorama Online. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  2. ^ Kerala News – Menaka Archived 18 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Kerals.com (26 September 2005). Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. ^ "SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big". The Indian Express. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b Shevlin Sebastian (13 May 2013) Menaka was treated like a queen Archived 3 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b സിനിമ എങ്ങനെ ഞാന്‍ മറക്കും – articles, infocus_interview – Mathrubhumi Eves Archived 26 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  6. ^ A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Cinidiary. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  7. ^ Menaka is back in front of the camera Archived 7 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Sify.com (29 October 2010). Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  8. ^ ഞാന്‍ കീര്‍ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള്‍ Archived 6 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  9. ^ ഞാന്‍ കീര്‍ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള്‍ Archived 6 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  10. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Seetha Kalyanam disappoints". rediff.com. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Sita Kalyanam: Don't attend this". bangaloremirror.com. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
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