Menaka (actress)

Indian actress

Menaka

Born|

Padmavathi Iyengar

Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, India

Nationality| Indian
Occupations|

* Actress
* Film producer

Years active| 1980–1987
2005–present
Spouse|

G. Suresh Kumar

(m. 1987)​

Children| 2 (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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

### As an actress

[edit]

#### Malayalam

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Year | Title | Role | Notes

|
|
|

1980 | Punnami Naagu | Poornima |
1982 | Subbarao ki kopam vacchindhi  |  |
1988  | Indra Dhanussu  |  |

#### Kannada

[edit]

Year | Title | Role | Notes

|
|
|

1984 | Samayada Gombe | Lakshmi | Role of sister to Dr. Raj Kumar

### As producer

[edit]

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

[edit]

* All shows are in Malayalam unless noted otherwise

### Serials

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.

## External links

[edit]

* Menaka at MSI
* Menaka at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award

2011–2020|

* Ambareesh (2011)
* Sowcar Janaki & K. J. Yesudas (2012)
* K. Raghavendra Rao & K. Bhagyaraj (2013)
* Bharathiraja & K. P. A. C. Lalitha (2014)
* S. Janaki & Panchu Arunachalam (2015)
* Murali Mohan & S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (2016)
* P. Susheela (2017)
* Menaka & Suresh Kumar (2018)
* Sheela (2019)
* K. Viswanath (2020)

*[m.]: married
*[Ref.]: Reference
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*[t]: Discuss this template
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