# Monisha Unni

Monisha Unni (24 January 1971 – 5 December 1992) was an Indian actress, known for her works Predominantly in Malayalam films and in a few Tamil films.
Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive the National Film Award for Best Actress for Nakhakshathangal (1986), her debut feature film. Along with Sharada, Shobhana, Meera Jasmine, and Surabhi Lakshmi. Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such as M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, Priyadarshan, Ajayan, Kamal and Sibi Malayil.

## Early life

Monisha Unni was born in Panniyankara, Kozhikode, in 1971 to Narayanan Unni and Sreedevi Unni. She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore, and Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore. She then completed her graduation in psychology at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni.

## Death

Monisha Unni was working on the Malayalam film Cheppadividya when she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother Sreedevi Unni collided with a KSRTC bus at X-Ray Bypass Junction near Cherthala in Alappuzha district of Kerala. She was 21 years old. Monisha was sleeping on the back seat when the accident occurred. Her mother, Sreedevi was thrown out of the car, but escaped with bruises and fractures. Monisha, however, died within minutes due to cervical fracture of her spine. Reports said Monisha was bleeding through her nose and ears. Although she was taken to the nearby KVM hospital, she had died. The driver of their Ambassador car too died in the freak accident.

## Career

Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M. T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into films. She made her debut in Nakhakshathangal (1986), which was written by M. T. and directed by Hariharan. The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, won her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1984 | Paavayya | | Tamil | A 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan (based on "Vilaivu", a short story by K. I. Rajanarayanan) |
| 1986 | Nakhakshathangal | Gowri | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1986 | Rithubhedam | Thankamani | Malayalam | |
| 1986 | Sayam Sandhya | Vinumol | Malayalam | |
| 1987 | Pookkal Vidum Thudhu | Gowri | Tamil | |
| 1987 | Lawyer Bharathi Devi | Leela | Telugu | |
| 1988 | Aryan | Sainabha | Malayalam | |
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Sandhya | Kannada | Twin role |
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Sarala | Kannada | Twin role |
| 1988 | Kanakambarangal | Sreedevi | Malayalam | |
| 1989 | Dravidan | Salma | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Adhipan | Geetha | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom | Sathi | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Veena Meettiya Vilangukal | Sridevi | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Perumthachan | Kunhikkavu Thamburatti | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Kaazhchakkappuram | Ammu | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Venal Kinavukal | Nalini | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Kadavu | Devi | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | Dhanam | Tamil | |
| 1992 | Thalastaanam | Radha | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam | Viji | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Kudumbasametham | Thulasi | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Kamaladalam | Malavika | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Champakulam Thachan | Ammu | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Cheppadividya | Elsa | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | Priya | Tamil | |