# Meena (actress)

Meena Durairaj (born 16 September 1976), known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in South Indian films as well as Hindi cinema. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry. In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist. She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.

## Early life

Meena was born on 16 September 1976 and was brought up in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. Her mother Rajamallika is from Kannur district of Kerala while her father Durairaj is a Tamilian.

## Career
### Child artist

Meena started her career in 1982 as a child artist in the film Nenjangal, featuring Sivaji Ganesan in the lead role after he saw her at a birthday party. She has acted in several films along with Ganesan as a child artist. She has acted with Rajinikanth in two movies namely Enkeyo 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. 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.

### Lead female roles

Meena has been one of the top star pairing up with every big star down South. 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. Meena's first break came through the 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.
Meena starred in the Malayalam industry with the movie Santhwanam (1991) 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.
The 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. She made her Hindi cinema 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) and Sundarakanda (1992), both directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. President Gari Pellam (1992) with Nagarjuna, directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy.
In 1993, another film was Rajeswari Kalyanam, directed by Kranthi Kumar. She won Nandi Award for Best Actress for her performance. She followed it up with films like Muta Mesthri and Yejaman. This performance won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She plays Sudha, a smart and intelligent young wife in Abbaigaru. She also appeared in the comedy film Allari Alludu.
In 1994, she has acted in P. Vasu's Sethupathi IPS co-starring Vijayakanth. In her follow-up movie again with Rajinikanth in Veera and Muthu (1995). Followed by movies as Maaman Magal (1995), Sengottai (1996) and Avvai Shanmugi (1996).
She debuted in Malayalam as a lead actress with the 1997 release Varnapakittu, where in she is in a romance with Mohanlal on screen. Later the duo was paired in Olympian Anthony Adam (1999), Mr. Brahmachari (2003), Natturajavu (2004), Udayananu Tharam (2005) and Chandrolsavam (2005) among others.
Venkatesh and Meena, in particular, were a popular pair in Telugu cinema.
In 2000, her role in Rhythm won her the Best Actress award at the Cinema Express Awards.
Meena's releases in 2009 were Mariyadhai with Vijayakanth, directed by Vikraman, and Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko with Sreenivasan.

### Return to films

In 2010, Meena returns to the big screen with the Kannada film Hendtheer Darbar. This was her first film after her marriage. In 2011, she played the role of Narain's sister in the film Thambikottai.
Meena returned to Malayalam cinema, playing the role of wife to Mohanlal in Drishyam (2013) and Balyakalasakhi alongside Mammootty. She reprised her role in the 2014 Telugu remake, Drushyam. Meena returned to Tamil cinema in Annaatthe (2021) with Rajinikanth.

## Other work
### Music composing

Meena has been a playback singer for some albums with actor Manoj. Also she has been a playback singer in two pop albums called 16 Vayathinile, and Kadhalism, which she began recording in 2001 with actor Vikram.

### Dubbing

Meena dubbed for Padmapriya Janakiraman in Cheran's movie Pokkisham.

## Personal life

Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bangalore-based software engineer, on 12 July 2009 at Arya Vysya Samaj Kalyana Mandapam. The couple has a daughter Nainika who made her acting debut at the age of 5 in the film Theri (2016). Vidyasagar died on 28 June 2022 due to lung related ailments.

## Filmography
### Films

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | Kidnapped child | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1982 | Enkeyo Ketta Kural | Meena | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1982 | Parvaiyin Marupakkam | Geetha | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Priya | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1983 | Thandikkapatta Niyayangal | Playful child | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1983 | Sumangali | Doll-selling girl | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1983 | Siripuram Monagadu | | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1984 | Thiruppam | | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1984 | Illalu Priyuralu | | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1984 | Yaadgar | | Hindi | Child artist |
| 1984 | Bava Maradallu | | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1984 | Kode Trachu | Roja | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth | Rosy | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1984 | Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha | Rajani | Malayalam | Child artist |
| 1984 | Manasariyathe | Minimol | Malayalam | Child artist |
| 1985 | Panneer Nadhigal | | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1985 | Uyire Unakkaga | Young Vijayanirmala Devi | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1985 | Rendu Rella Aaru | young Vighneswari | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1985 | Khooni | Aruna | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1986 | Penn Simham | | Malayalam | Child artist |
| 1986 | Sirivennela | | Telugu | Child artist |
| 1986 | Lakshmi Vanthachu | Playful child | Tamil | Child artist |
| 1990 | Kartavyam | Karuna | Telugu | |
| 1990 | Navayugam | Sumathi | Telugu | Debut as heroine |
| 1990 | Prajala Manishi | Roopa | Telugu | |
| 1990 | Oru Pudhiya Kadhai | Maha | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | Seetha | Telugu | |
| 1991 | En Rasavin Manasile | Cholaiamma | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Indra Bhavanam | | Telugu | |
| 1991 | Idhaya Oonjal | Chithra | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Idhaya Vaasal | Vaani | Tamil | |
| 1991 | Jagannatakam | Jhansi | Telugu | |
| 1991 | Sandhwanam | Rajalakshmi | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Chengalva Pudanda | | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Chanti | Nandini | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Parda Hai Parda | Maya | Hindi | |
| 1992 | Allari Pilla | Nandini | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Allari Mogudu | Neelambari | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Sundarakanda | Nanchari | Telugu | |
| 1992 | President Gari Pellam | Swapna | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Pellam Chepte Vinali | Geetha | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Bangaru Maama | Kasthuri | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Moratodu Naa Mogudu | | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Aswamedham | Dr. Bharati | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Rajeswari Kalyanam | Rajeshwari | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Konguchatu Krishnadu | Saccha | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Muta Mesthri | Buchamma | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Yejaman | Vaitheeswari Vaanavaraayan | Tamil | |
| 1993 | Abbaigaru | Sudha | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Allari Alludu | Sandhya | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Sethupathi IPS | Chandramathi | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Rajakumaran | Selvi | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Anga Rakshakudu | Meenu | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Bhale Pellam | Bharathi | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Veera | Devayanai | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam | Swathi | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Bobbili Simham | Venkatalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Thai Maaman | Meena | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Nattamai | Meena | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Putnanja | Rose | Kannada | |
| 1995 | Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari | Lakshmi Prabha | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Chilakapachcha Kaapuram | Radha | Telugu | |
| 1995 | Coolie | Vimala | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Marumagan | Manjula | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Nadodi Mannan | Meenakshi, Priya | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Muthu | Ranganayaki | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Aalu Magalu | Mallika | Telugu | |
| 1995 | Maaman Magal | Priya | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Sengottai | Meena | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Avvai Shanmugi | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Bharathi Kannamma | Kannamma | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Varnapakittu | Sandra, Alina | Malayalam | |
| 1997 | Vallal | Annam | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Muddula Mogudu | Sirisha | Telugu | |
| 1997 | Cheluva | Meena | Kannada | |
| 1997 | Pasamulla Pandiyare | Vellayamma | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Panjaram | | Telugu | |
| 1997 | Mommaga | Gowri | Kannada | |
| 1997 | Porkkaalam | Maragatham | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Ulavuthurai | Meena | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar | Indu | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Suryavamsam | Swapna | Telugu | |
| 1998 | Kusruthi Kuruppu | Meera | Malayalam | |
| 1998 | Harichandra | Nandhini | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Gillikajjalu | Satyabhama | Telugu | |
| 1998 | Pape Naa Pranam | Priya | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Sneham Kosam | Prabhavathi | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Velugu Needalu | Radha | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Friends | Padmini | Malayalam | |
| 1999 | Periyanna | Shenbagam | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Anandha Poongatre | Meenakshi | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Krishna Babu | Rama | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Bobbili Vamsham | Rajyalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Olympiyan Anthony Adam | Angel | Malayalam | |
| 1999 | Iraniyan | Ponni | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | Mahalakshmi | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Manam Virumbuthe Unnai | Priya | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Vanathai Pola | Gowri Muthu | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Palayathu Amman | Palayathu Amman | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Vetri Kodi Kattu | Valli Muthuraman | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Doubles | Meena | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Rhythm | Chitra | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Maayi | Bhuvaneswari | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Dreams | Nirmala Mathan | Malayalam | |
| 2000 | Maa Annayya | Wife | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Thenali | Meena (herself) | Tamil | Special appearance |
| 2000 | Anbudan | Shanthi | Tamil | Guest appearance |
| 2001 | Rishi | Indu | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Railway Coolie | | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Citizen | Sevali | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Sri Manjunatha | Goddess Parvathi | Kannada | |
| 2001 | Rakshasa Rajav | Meera | Malayalam | |
| 2001 | Ammayi Kosam | Anjali | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Shahjahan | Meena | Tamil | Special appearance |
| 2001 | Grama Devathe | Angala Parameswari | Kannada | |
| 2002 | Angala Parameswari | Angala Parameswari Amman | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Dhaya | Thulasi | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Simhadriya Simha | Deepa | Kannada | |
| 2002 | Devan | Uma | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Ivan | Meena Kumari | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Namma Veetu Kalyanam | Meena | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Padai Veetu Amman | Padai Veetu Amman, Muthu Maariamman | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Villain | Thangam | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Paarai | Mallika | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Swathi Muthu | Lalitha | Kannada | |
| 2003 | Mr. Brahmachari | Ganga | Malayalam | |
| 2003 | Simhachalam | Simhachalam's wife | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Game for Love | Amrutha | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Shock | Malini | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Puttintiki Ra Chelli | Wife | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Bharatasimha Reddy | Devudayya's wife | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Swamy | Swamy's wife | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Gowdru | Parvati | Kannada | Guest appearance |
| 2004 | Aalukkoru Aasai | Eshwari | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Natturajavu | Maya | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Mahasadhvi Mallamma | Mallamma | Kannada | |
| 2005 | Kannamma | Kannamma | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Udayananu Tharam | Madhumathi Udayabhanu | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Chandrolsavam | Indulekha | Malayalam | |
| 2006 | My Autograph | Divya | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Karutha Pakshikal | Suvarnna | Malayalam | |
| 2007 | Kadha Parayumbol | Sridevi Balan | Malayalam | |
| 2007 | Black Cat | Meenakshi | Malayalam | |
| 2008 | Kuselan | Sridevi Balakrishnan | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Kathanayakudu | Sreedevi | Telugu | |
| 2008 | Magic Lamp | Anupama | Malayalam | |
| 2009 | Mariyadhai | Radha | Tamil | |
| 2009 | Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko | Ann Mary | Malayalam | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | Tarigonda Vengamamba | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Dasanna | Malli | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Hendtheer Darbar | Radha | Kannada | |
| 2011 | Thambikottai | Shanmugapriya | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam | Goddess Parvati | Telugu | |
| 2013 | Sri Jagadguru Aadi Sankara | Gangadevi | Telugu | |
| 2013 | Drishyam | Rani George | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Balyakalasakhi | Majeed's mother | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Drushyam | Jyothi | Telugu | |
| 2015 | Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu | Suryakantham | Telugu | |
| 2017 | Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol | Annyamma | Malayalam | |
| 2020 | Shylock | Lakshmi Ayyanar | Malayalam | |
| 2021 | Drishyam 2 | Rani George | Malayalam | |
| 2021 | Annaatthe | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil | Extended Cameo Appearance |
| 2021 | Drushyam 2 | Jyothi | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Bro Daddy | Annamma | Malayalam | OTT release Disney+ Hotstar |
| 2024 | Aanandhapuram Diaries | Nandhini | Malayalam | |
| TBA | Rowdy Baby † | TBA | Tamil | Filming |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Awarded for | Result |
| 1991 | Cinema Express Awards | Best Actress | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | Won |
| 1992 | Nandi Awards | Best Actress | Rajeswari Kalyanam | Won |
| 1993 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Ejamaan | Won |
| 1996 | Dinakaran Film Awards | Best Actress | Avvai Shanmugi | Won |
| 1997 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Porkkaalam | Won |
| 1997 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Bharathi Kannamma | Won |
| 1997 | Filmfans Association Awards | Best Actress | Bharathi Kannamma | Won |
| 1998 | Kalaimamani Awards | Kalaimamani | Contribution to Tamil Cinema | Won |
| 2000 | Cinema Express Awards | Best Actress | Rhythm | Won |
| 2002 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Ivan | Won |
| 2003 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Kannada Actress | Swathi Muthu | Won |
| 2006 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Kannada Actress | My Autograph | Nominated |
| 2009 | Ugadi Puraskar Awards TSR – TV9 Film Awards | Special Jury Award | Venkamamba | Won |
| 2013 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Drishyam | Nominated |
| 2013 | Asianet Film Awards Vayalar Awards | Best Character Actress Vayalar Film Award for Best Actress | Drishyam | Won |
| 2014 | TSR – TV9 Film Awards | TSR – TV9 Special Jury | Drushyam | Won |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel | Notes |
| 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 |
| 2009 | Tarikonda Venkamamba | Tarikonda Venkamamba | Telugu | SVBC TV | TV serial |
| 2009 | Boys VS Girls season 2 | Judge | Tamil | Vijay TV | Dance show |
| 2011 | Jodi Number One Season 5 | Special Judge | Tamil | Vijay TV | Dance show |
| 2012 | Nee Kongu Bangaram Ganu | Host | Telugu | MAA TV | TV show |
| 2012 | Veera | Judge | Telugu | ETV | Dance show |
| 2012 | Super Kudumbam | Judge | Tamil | Sun TV | TV show |
| 2012 | 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 | Dance show |
| 2016 | Dance Dance | Special Judge | Kannada | Star Suvarna | Dance show |
| 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 |
| 2019 | Extra Jabardasth | Judge | Telugu | ETV | TV Programme |
| 2019 | 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 | |
| 2023 | Ammayum Makalum | Special Judge | Malayalam | Amrita TV | |
| 2023 | Ente Amma Supera | Judge | Malayalam | Mazhavil Manorama | |