Sheela Meen Kuzhambu

Sheela Ravichandran (Born 22 March 1945) is an Indian actress and director who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema. Paired with Prem Nazir, they hold the Guinness World Record for acting in the largest number of films (130) together as heroine and hero. Sheela is a four-time winner of Kerala State Film Award. She came back to acting in 2003 through ''Manassinakkare'' after a long period of 22 years. In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film '' Akale''. In 2019, Sheela was honoured with the J C Daniel Award, the Kerala government's highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema. She was also one of the highest paid actresses, reportedly paid more than her male counterparts, of her time.

Early life and family

Sheela was born in a Syrian Christian family to Railway officer Kanimangalam Antony and Gracy at Thrissur, Kingdom of Cochin (now Kerala). She was brought up in Ooty. Her early name was Celine. Since her father was working with the railways, she was brought up in different places before finally settling down at Chennai. As a result, she had her primary education at various places, including Trivandrum, Thrissur, Ooty, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Edappally and St. Francis Anglo-Indian Girls School, Coimbatore.

She was initially married to Xavier, a reporter, which ended in a divorce.

Film career

Sheela was introduced to theatre at the age of 13 by Tamil actor S. S. Rajendran, he offered her a job in S.S.R Nataka Mandram. She was introduced into the film industry at the age of 17 by MGR in the Tamil film ''Paasam'' (1962). M. G. Ramachandran, the hero of the film, added the suffix "Devi" to her name, thus he renamed her "Sheela Devi". She would continue to act in Tamil films with that name. Later, she reverted her name to ''Sheela'', her original name. The same year, she made her Malayalam debut through ''Bhagyajathakam''. The next two decades saw her act in more than 475 films in various languages such as Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Urdu. Her popular films are ''Chemmeen'', ''Kallichellamma'', ''Velutha Kathreena'' ''Akale'', ''Oru Penninte Kadha'', ''Sarsaiya'', ''Yakshaganam'', ''Kutti Kuppayam'', ''Sthanarthy Saramma'', ''Kadathunattu Makkan'', ''Kannapan Unni'', ''Jwala'', ''Vazhve Mayam'', etc. In ''Kannapanunni'', she plays the role of a powerful yet humane princess forced to marry a poor woodcutter. In ''Kadathanattu Makkam'', she plays the role of a princess who is cheated by her sisters-in-law and false allegations of being in love with a boatman are leveled against her. She and the boatman are both given the death sentence.

In the 1970s and 1980s, she directed two films ''Yakshaganom'' and ''Shikarangal''. She wrote the story and screenplay for ''Shikharangal''and ''Yakshagaanam'', which was also remade in Tamil. Sheela wrote the story and screenplay for Mammooty starrer Onnu Chiriku. Besides films, she has directed a tele-film titled ''Ninaivukale Neengividu'', co-starring Jayabharathi. Her other films include ''Vishnu Vijayam'' and ''Eeta''. She retired from the film industry in the 1983 and settled at Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu. After a long sabbatical, she returned to acting, playing a role in Sathyan Anthikkad's ''Manassinakkare'' (2003). The same year, she acted in the Tamil film ''Chandramukhi''.

Sheela, along with Prem Nazir, holds the Guinness World Record for acting in the largest number of films (130) together. In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her role in the Malayalam film '' Akale''. She received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress thrice in her film career in 1969, 1971, and 1976. She has won awards such as Kerala State Film Awards, the Lux award, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award. Sheela made an exhibition of her paintings at hotel Le- Meridian in Ernakulam and 93 paintings were sold, most of which were bought by Snehatheeram Baby Mathew and Ravi Pillai. The amount collected from these paintings was donated as a flood relief fund for the people in Chennai.

Awards

;National Film Awards
* 2005 Best Supporting Actress – Akale

;Kerala State Film Awards
* 1969 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for ''Kallichellamma''
* 1971 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for '' Oru Penninte Kadha'', '' Sarassayya, Ummachu''
* 1976 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for ''Anubhavam''
* 2004 – Second Best Actress for '' Akale''

;Filmfare Awards South
* 1977 – Best Malayalam Actress – ''Lakshmi''
* 2000 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
South Indian International Movie Awards
* 2021 – Lifetime Achievement Award

;Asianet Film Awards
* 2007 – Best Lifetime Achievement Award

;Other Awards
*2007 Lux Lifetime Achievement Award
*2006 Amrita TV Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2019 J. C. Daniel Award
* 2019 Jayan Ragamalika Award
* 2020 Malayala Puraskaram

Filmography

Actress

Malayalam

*2022 - Anuragam
* 2021 - Ammachikoottile Pranayakalam as Rosamma
* 2019 - A for Apple as Lekshmy
* 2019 - Thanka Bhasma Kuriyitta Thamburatty as Herself
(Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
* 2017 – Basheerinte Premalekhanam as Ummuma
* 2014 – Ulsaha Committee as Rosemary
* 2012 – Mr. Marumakan as Raja Kokila
* 2012 - Lumiere Brothers as Herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
* 2011 – Kottarathil Kutty Bhootham as Grandma
* 2011 – Snehaveedu as Ammukutty Amma
* 2011 – Naayika as Herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
* 2008 - Twenty:20 as Herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
* 2006 – Pathaka as Elizabeth Mamman
* 2005 – Ponmudipuzhayorathu as Subhadramma
* 2005 – Thaskara Veeran as Meenakhsi
* 2004 – Akale as Margaret D'Costa
* 2003 – Manassinakkare as Kochu Thresia
* 1982 – Aasha
* 1982 – Madrasile Mon
* 1982 - Sahyante Makan
* 1981 – Thalam Manasinte Thalam
* 1981 – Thakilu Kottampuram as Mridula
* 1981 – Sphodanam as Devaki
* 1981 – Urukku Mushttikal
* 1981 – Adimachangala
* 1980 - Pappu as Herself
* 1980 – Akalangalil Abhayam
* 1980 – Ithile Vannavar as Devi Menon
* 1980 – Nattuchakkiruttu
* 1980 – Kalika as Kalika
* 1980 – Avan Oru Ahankari
* 1980 – Theenalangal as Devamma/Leelamma
* 1979 – Yakshiparu as Paru
* 1979 – Pichathikuttappan
* 1979 – Sikharangal as Savithri
* 1979 – Pathivrutha
* 1979 – Sarapancharam as Soudamini
* 1979 – Avesham as Susheela
* 1978 – Ahalya
* 1978 – Vilakkum Velichavum
* 1978 – Kadathanattu Makkam as Makkam
* 1978 – Etho Oru Swapnam as Kousalya
* 1978 – Kanyaka as Geetha
* 1978 – Tiger Salim
* 1978 – Anappachan as Sundari
* 1978 – Itha Oru Manushyan as Radha
* 1978 – Amarsham
* 1978 – Jayikkanayi Janichavan as Lakshmi
* 1978 – Eeta as Annamma
* 1978 – Jalatharangam as Lakshmi
* 1978 – Bharyayum Kamukiyum
* 1977 – Aval Oru Devalayam as Jameela
* 1977 – Neethipeedam
* 1977 – Ivanente Priyaputhran
* 1977 – Mohavum Mukthiyum
* 1977 – Innale Innu as Thulasi
* 1977 – Niraparayum Nilavilakkum
* 1977 – Aparadhi as Susheela
* 1977 – Yatheem as Kunjivarachi
* 1977 – Poojakedukatha Pookkal as Sharada
* 1977 – Kavilamma
* 1977 – Lakshmi
* 1977 – Veedoru Swargam
* 1977 – Aa Nimisham
* 1977 – Aashirvadam
* 1977 – Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana... Omana, Ammini (double role)
* 1977 – Samudram as Omana
* 1977 – Kannappanunni as Ponni
* 1976 – Romeo
* 1976 – Yakshagaanam as Savithri
* 1976 – Mallanum Mathevanum
* 1976 – Rajankanam
* 1976 – Anubhavam as Valsala
* 1976 – Palkadal as Gouri
* 1975 – Ulasayathra
* 1975 – Mattoru Seetha as Seetha's sister
* 1975 – Odakuzhal
* 1975 – Omanakunju as Gouri
* 1975 – Athithi as Ramani
* 1974 – Aswathy
* 1974 – Vishnuvijayam as Leela
* 1974 – Shapamoksham
* 1974 – Manyashree Vishvamithran as Kusumam
* 1974 – Thumbolarcha as Thumbolarcha
* 1974 – Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree
* 1973 – Chaayam
* 1973 – Kaapalika as Rosamma/Kaapalika
* 1973 – Chukku as Molly
* 1973 – Ithu Manushyanano
* 1972 – Devi
* 1972 – Manushya Bandangal as Sudha
* 1972 – Aromalunni as Maakkam
* 1972 – Puthrakameshti as Rupa
* 1972 – Anandashayanam
* 1972 – Nadan Premam as Malu
* 1972 – Aradimanite Janmi as Dr.Jayanthy
* 1972 – Preethi
* 1972 – Sakthi
* 1972 – Baalya Prathinja as Kusuma
* 1972 – Omana as Omana
* 1971 – Avalalppam Vaikipoyi
* 1971 – Kalithozhi as Ammini
* 1971 – Thapaswini
* 1971 – Vithukal as Sarojini
* 1971 – Agnimrugam as Bhanumathi
* 1971 – Karinizhal as Malathy/Baby
* 1971 – Makane Ninaku Vendi as Chinnamma
* 1971 – Oru Penninte Kadha as Savithri/Gayathridevi
* 1971 – Muthassi as Susi/Geetha
* 1971 – Shiksha as Shobha
* 1971 – Moonnupookkal as Shobha
* 1971 – Panchavankaadu as Kochu Thankachi
* 1971 – Inquilab Sindabad as Rajamma
* 1971 – Anubhavangal Paalichakal as Bhavani
* 1971 – Sarasayya as Sarojam
* 1971 – Sumangali as Vasanthy
* 1971 – Puthenveedu
* 1971 – Thettu as Baby
* 1971 – Ummachu as Ummachu
* 1971 – Vivaha Sammanam as Gourikutty
* 1970 – Palunku Pathram
* 1970 – Anadha as Radha
* 1970 – Moodalmanju as Geetha, Usha
* 1970 – Kalpana as Sushamma, Susheela, Kalpana
* 1970 – Nazhikakallu
* 1970 – Aa Chithrashalabam Paranotte as Indira
* 1970 – Ningalenne Communistakki as Sumam
* 1970 – Nizhalattam as Shantha
* 1970 – Ezhuthatha Kadha as Kayamkulam Kamalamma
* 1970 – Othenante Makan as Unnimaathu
* 1970 – Abhayam as Sethulakshmi
* 1970 – Bheekara Nimishangal as Savithri
* 1970 – Dathuputhran as Gracy
* 1970 – Lottery Ticket as Malathy
* 1970 – Mindapennu as Kamalam
* 1970 – Ambalapravu as Sharadha
* 1970 – Aranazhika Neram as Shanthamma
* 1970 – Vivaham Swargathil
* 1970 – Kurukshethram as Sethulakshmi
* 1970 – Vazhve Mayam as Sarala, Sarala's daughter (double role)
* 1969 – Danger Biscuit as Aswathy
* 1969 – Rahsayam as Ammini
* 1969 – Pooja Pushppam
* 1969 – Kuruthikalam
* 1969 – Jwala as Rajamma
* 1969 – Kannur Deluxe as Jayasree
* 1969 – Aalmaram as Kusumam
* 1969 – Koottukudumbam as Thankamma
* 1969 – Rest House as Leela
* 1969 – Mister Kerala
* 1969 – Adimakal as Saraswathiyamma
* 1969 – Kadalpalam as Sarala
* 1969 – Virunnukari as Radha
* 1969 – Kallichellamma as Chellamma
* 1968 – Thirichadi as Ramani
* 1968 – Anachadanam
* 1968 – Bharyamar Sookshikkuka as Shobha
* 1968 – Lakshaprabhu
* 1968 – Kayalkarayil
* 1968 – Vidhyarthi
* 1968 – Velutha Kathreena as Kathreena
* 1968 – Padunna Puzha as Rajalakshmi
* 1968 – Love in Kerala as Mala
* 1968 – Punnapra Vayalar as Chellamma
* 1968 – Agnipareeksha as Hema
* 1968 – Thulabaram as Valsala
* 1967 – Kudumbam as Nirmala
* 1967 – Ashwamedham as Sarojam
* 1967 – Nadan Pennu as Achamma
* 1967 – Olathumathi
* 1967 – Pooja as Anandam
* 1967 – Ramanan as Chandrika
* 1967 – Balyakalasakhi as Suhara
* 1967 – Agniputhri as Sindhu
* 1967 – Chithramela
* 1967 – Pathirapattu as Soldier's wife
* 1967 – Kottayam Kolacase
* 1967 – Swapnabhoomi as Sreedevi
* 1967 – Cochin Express as Geetha
* 1967 – Mainatheruvi Kolacase as Marykutti
* 1967 – Khadeeja
* 1967 – Kanatha Veshangal
* 1967 – Collector Malathi as Malathy
* 1967 – Lady Doctor as Lilly
* 1966 – Koottukar as Radha
* 1966 – Kalithozhan as Radha
* 1966 – Sthanarthi Saramma as Saramma
* 1966 – Kanakachilanka
* 1966 – Tharavattamma as Radha
* 1966 – Priyathama
* 1966 - Penmakkal as Padma
* 1966 - Rowdy as Devayani
* 1965 – Pattuthuvala as Celine
* 1965 – Kathirunna Nikkah as Laila
* 1965 – Kadathukaran as Madhuri
* 1965 – Daaham as Latha
* 1965 – Chemmeen as Karuthamma
* 1965 – Muthalali as Devaki
* 1965 – Jeevitha Yaathra as Radha
* 1965 – Thommante Makkal as Marykutty
* 1965 – Mayavi as Vasanthy
* 1965 – Porter Kunjali as Aamina
* 1965 – Kavyamela as Sreedevi
* 1965 – Thankakudam as Kabir's wife
* 1964 – Oral Koodi Kallanayi as Ayisha
* 1964 – Kudumbini as Jaanu
* 1964 – Bharthavu as Sumathi
* 1964 – Karutha Kai as Latha
* 1964 – Kuttikuppayam as Safiya
* 1964 – Althara as Rebecca
* 1964 – Aayisha as Amina
* 1963 – Moodupadam as Ammukutty
* 1963 – Susheela as Hema
* 1963 – Doctor as Jayasree
* 1963 – Ninamaninja Kalpadukal as Ammini
* 1963 – Kattumaina as Neeli
* 1962 – Bagyajathakam as Radha

Tamil

* ''Marravan'' (2016) as Velambal
* ''Palakkattu Madhavan'' (2015) as Pattu Maami
* ''Seedan'' (2011) as Amritavalli
* '' Veeranna'' (2005) as Rajeshwari
* ''Chandramukhi'' (2005) as Akhilandeswari
* ''Bombay'' (1995)
* ''Sendhoora Devi'' (1991)
* ''Amma Appa'' (1974)
* ''Manjal Kungumam'' (1973) as Subhadra
* ''Pennai Vazha Vidungal'' (1969) as Shanathi
* ''Odum Nadhi'' (1969) as Maya
* ''Moondrezhuthu'' (1968) as Suguna
* ''Sathyam Thavaradhey'' (1968) as Leela
* '' Pudhiya Bhoomi'' (1968) as Nalina
* ''Paal Manam'' (1968)
* ''Gowri Kalyanam'' (1966) as Lakshmi
* ''Vallavan Oruvan'' (1966) as Susi
* ''Lorry Driver'' (1966)
* ''Idhayak Kamalam'' (1965) as Seetha
* '' Kaattu Ranni'' (1965) as Meena
* ''Iravum Pagalum'' (1965)
* ''Karuppu Panam'' (1964) as Luci
* ''Chitrangi'' (1964)
* ''Karpagam'' (1963) as Pankajam
* ''Kaattumaina'' (1963)
* ''Vanambadi'' (1963) as Chitra
* ''Panathottam'' (1963) as Meena
* ''Paasam'' (1962) as Chandra

Telugu

* ''Nene Monaganni'' (1968) as Neela
* '' Nenena Managadu''
* ''Vichitra Kutumbam'' (1969) as Julie
* ''Bhale Mastaru'' (1969) as Vimala
* '' Gowrawam''
* ''Yugandhar''

Story, screenplay, and direction

* ''Yakshagaanam'' (1976)
* ''Sikharangal'' (1979)
* ''Onnu Chirikkoo'' (1983) - Story only

Television

Malayalam

;Shows as host
* Jeevitham Sakshi (Kairali TV) as presenter
* Sthree (Asianet News) as presenter

;Serials
*Velutha Kathrina (Kairali TV) as Kathreena
*Kanalpoovu (Kairali TV) as Pulikattil Kathreena/Eliyamma
*Aliyans (Kaumudy TV) as Herself

;As judge
*Oru chiri oru chiri bumper chiri (Mazhavil Manorama)
*Malayali Veetamma (Flowers TV)
*Smile Plz (Asianet Plus)
*Ugram Ujjwalam (Mazhavil Manorama)
*Comedy Stars season 2 (Asianet)
*Comedy Festival (Mazhavil Manorama)
*Red Carpet (Amrita TV) - Mentor

;Other shows
* Flowers Oru Kodi
* Bhava Nayika
* Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran
* JB Junction
* Onnum Onnum Moonnu
* Laughing Villa
* Close Encounter
* Nammude Swantham Karuthammayude Onam
* Badayi Bunglavu
* Comedy Super Nite
* Portrait of an actress
* Nere Chovve
* Ithihasa Nayikakkoppam
* Cinema Rendezvous
* Thara Raja Thara Rani
* Lime Light
* Hello Europe
* Star Chat
* Merry Sheela
* Varikalkkidayil
* Puraskara Niravil Nithya Haritha Nayika
* Media One Online
* Mathrubhumi Online
* Cinema Diary
* DD Interview
* Aashwasaganga
* I Me Myself
* Europe Malayali Journal
* Sheelayude Varthamanam

Tamil

;Serials
* ''Neenivayukale Neengi Vidu'' (Story, Screenplay, Direction; Doordarshan)
* ''Aayiram Janmangal'' starring Rajnikanth (written by Sheela)
* ''Rusi Kanda Poonai'' starring Saritha (written by Sheela)
;Other Programmes
* ''Natchathira Sangamam''

Theatre

* Kuttavum Shikshyum

References

External links

Official website
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheela
1946 births
Living people
J. C. Daniel Award winners
Kerala State Film Award winners
South Indian International Movie Awards winners
Best Supporting Actress National Film Award winners
Filmfare Awards South winners
20th-century Indian actresses
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
20th-century Indian film directors
20th-century Indian women writers
21st-century Indian actresses
Actresses from Thrissur
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Actresses in Malayalam television
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Telugu cinema
Film directors from Thrissur
Indian film actresses
Indian television actresses
Indian women film directors
Indian women screenwriters
Malayalam film directors
Screenwriters from Kerala
Writers from Thrissur