# Shobana

Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970); known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer, who works predominantly in Malayalam, Telugu films, in addition to Tamil, Hindi, English and Kannada films. She is a recipient of two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, Shobana received the Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu Government. She established herself as one of the leading South Indian actresses of her time.
In a career spanning over four decades, Shobana has starred in 230 films across several languages. She has earned two National Film Award for Best Actress for her performances in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). The former also won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. Additionally, she received two Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for her performance in Innale (1990) and Thenmavin Kombath (1994).
Shobhana is also a Bharatanatyam dancer who received her training under Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam. She emerged as an independent performer and choreographer in her twenties and currently runs a dance school, Kalarpana, in Chennai. In 2006, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts. In 2013, she received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship, also known as Kalarathna, for her contributions to the performing arts. She received honorary doctorates from Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation in 2018, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute in 2019 and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in 2022. Shobana was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2025.

## Career
### Film career

Shobana made her debut as a child artist. In 1980, she won the Best Child Artiste Award for her role in the Tamil movie, Mangala Nayagi, a remake of the Hindi film Saajan Bina Suhagan.
She also starred in the Telugu film Bhakta Dhruva Markendaya in 1982, an acclaimed all children film made in both Tamil and Telugu. As an adult, she was introduced to the film industry through the Malayalam film April 18 (1984), by director Balachandra Menon. In the same year, she debuted in the Tamil film industry with Enakkul Oruvan (1984), directed by SP Muthuraman. She did come back to act in occasional Tamil films opposite Satyaraj (Mallu Vetti Minor, Vaathiyar Veetu Pillai), Bhagyaraj (Ithu Namma Aalu) and Vijayakanth (Ponmana Selvan, En Kitta Mothathey) in the early 90s – these roles were generally glamorous in which Shobana generally acted as the beautiful, posh and haughty city girl who is eventually charmed by the village boy.
Her other major films include Rudraveena (1988), Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu (1984) Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove, Yathra (1985), Anantaram (1987), Nadodikkattu (1987), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), Siva (1989), Innale (1990), Kalikkalam (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992), Manichitrathazhu (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Minnaram (1994), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Hitler (1996), Agni Sakshi (1999), Dance like a Man (2003), Makalkku (2005), Thira (2013) and Varane Avashyamund (2020). From Aviduthe Pole Ivideyum to Upaharam, Shobana did sixteen movies in a single year, 1985. Shobana also acted in the Tamil period film Kochadaiiyaan (2014).
In Rudraveena (1988), alongside Chiranjeevi and Gemini Ganesan, she played classical dancer Lalitha Sivajyothi, who belongs to a lower caste and is denied entry into the temple. In Abhinandana (1988), she paired with Karthik, and essayed his love interest, who aspires to become a classical dancer. In Kokila (1990), she paired with Naresh, and In Alludugaru (1990) she starred opposite Mohan Babu and was a remake of Malayalam film Chithram. 1 April Viduthala and Rowdy Gari Pellam were other Telugu films in 1991.
Shobana won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in AM Fazil's Manichitrathazhu. Her portrayal of Ganga Nakulan and alter-ego Nagavalli in the film was described by critics as "spell binding".
Following her National Award win in 1993, Shobana became highly selective about her films.

### Classical dance career

Shobana is a Bharatanatyam dancer. She started her own dance school, "Kalipinya" in 1989 and got it registered in 1992.
She has worked on collaborative ventures with the likes of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram and Mandolin Srinivas. Her recitals abroad include those at the World Malayalee convention, in the United States in 1985 and 1995, in Kuala Lumpur before the King and Queen of Malaysia, numerous cities in the United States, Europe, South East Asia and Australia. Shobana started performing in the Soorya Music & Dance festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy from the year 1994.
In 1994, Shobana founded a school for classical dance Bharatanatyam in Chennai named Kalarpana.

## Personal life

Shobana is the niece of the Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, who were Indian classical dancers and actresses. She remains unmarried and in 2011, adopted a daughter, becoming a single mother.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |

### Malayalam

List of Malayalam film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1984 | April 18 | Sobhana | Debut in lead role |
| 1984 | Kanamarayathu | Sherly | |
| 1984 | Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove | Subhadra | |
| 1984 | Alakadalinakkare | Daisy | |
| 1985 | Avidathe Pole Ivideyum | Sujatha | |
| 1985 | Vasantha Sena | Merlin | |
| 1985 | Thozhil Allengil Jail | Jalaja | |
| 1985 | Akkacheyude Kunjuvava | Mridula | |
| 1985 | Meenamasathile Sooryan | Revathi | |
| 1985 | Azhiyatha Bandhangal | Geetha | |
| 1985 | Eeran Sandhya | Prabha | |
| 1985 | Thammil Thammil | Kavitha | |
| 1985 | Anubandham | Vijayalakshmi | |
| 1985 | Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum | Soudamini | |
| 1985 | Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam | Sharada | |
| 1985 | Ayanam | Alice | |
| 1985 | Yathra | Thulasi | |
| 1985 | Rangam | Chandrika | |
| 1985 | Oru Naal Innoru Naal | Rajani | |
| 1985 | Upaharam | Maggie Fernandez | |
| 1986 | Udayam Padinjaru | Renu | |
| 1986 | T. P. Balagopalan M. A. | Anitha | |
| 1986 | Kunjattakilikal | Usha | |
| 1986 | Iniyum Kurukshethram | Lekha | |
| 1986 | Aayiram Kannukal | Anu | |
| 1986 | Ente Entethu Mathrem | Ambili | |
| 1986 | Abhayam Thedi | Meera/Miranda | |
| 1986 | Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku | Indu | |
| 1986 | Aalorungi Arangorungi | Geetha | |
| 1986 | Nyayavidhi | Geetha | |
| 1986 | Ee Kaikalil | Viji Balakrishnan | |
| 1986 | Padayani | Radha | |
| 1986 | Chilambu | Ambika | |
| 1986 | Rareeram | Meera | |
| 1987 | Vrutham | Nancy | |
| 1987 | Nadodikattu | Radha | |
| 1987 | Ithrayum Kaalam | Savithri | |
| 1987 | Kalam Mari Katha Mari | Ummu Kolzu | |
| 1987 | Anantaram | Suma, Nalini | |
| 1987 | Naalkavala | Sainabha | |
| 1988 | Vicharana | Anitha | |
| 1988 | Vellanakalude Nadu | Radha | |
| 1988 | Janmandharam | Sridevi | |
| 1988 | Aryan | Aswathy | |
| 1988 | Aparan | Ambili | |
| 1988 | Dhwani | Devi | |
| 1988 | Oru Vivaada Vishayam | Shobha | |
| 1988 | Alila Kuruvikal | Bhavana | |
| 1988 | Mukthi | Radhika | |
| 1989 | Charithram | Cicily | |
| 1990 | Innale | Maya/Gowri | |
| 1990 | Iyer the Great | Amala | |
| 1990 | Sasneham | Saraswathi | |
| 1990 | Kalikkalam | Annie | |
| 1991 | Vasthuhara | Young Bhavani | |
| 1991 | Ulladakkam | Annie | |
| 1991 | Adayalam | Malini | |
| 1991 | Kankettu | Sujatha | |
| 1992 | Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam | Indu | |
| 1992 | Naaga Panchami | Panchami | |
| 1992 | Pappayude Swantham Appoos | Bhama | |
| 1993 | Maya Mayuram | Bhadra | |
| 1993 | Meleparambil Aanveedu | Pavizham | |
| 1993 | Golanthara Vartha | Lekha | |
| 1993 | Manichitrathazhu | Ganga/Nagavalli | |
| 1994 | Pavithram | Meera | |
| 1994 | Commissioner | Indu Kurup | |
| 1994 | Thenmavin Kombathu | Karthumbi | |
| 1994 | Pakshe | Nandini Menon | |
| 1994 | Minnaram | Neena | |
| 1994 | Vishnu | Susanna Mathews | |
| 1994 | Manathe Vellitheru | Merlin | |
| 1995 | Sindoora Rekha | Arundhathi | |
| 1995 | Mazhayethum Munpe | Uma Maheshwari | |
| 1995 | Minnaminuginum Minnukettu | Radhika | |
| 1996 | Kumkumacheppu | Indu | |
| 1996 | Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum | Alli | |
| 1996 | Rajaputhran | Veni | |
| 1996 | Hitler | Gowri | |
| 1997 | Superman | Nithya | |
| 1997 | Kalyana Kacheri | Gopika | |
| 1997 | Kaliyoonjal | Gowri | |
| 1999 | Agni Sakshi | Devaki Manampalli | |
| 2000 | Sradha | Suma | |
| 2000 | Valliettan | Devi | |
| 2004 | Mambazhakkalam | Indira | |
| 2005 | Makalkku | Killeri | |
| 2009 | Sagar alias Jacky Reloaded | Indu | |
| 2013 | Thira | Dr. Rohini Pranab | |
| 2020 | Varane Avashyamund | Neena | |
| 2025 | Thudarum † | Lalitha | Filming |

### Telugu

List of Telugu film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya | Sunithi Devi | Children's film |
| 1984 | Marchandi Mana Chattalu | Uma | |
| 1985 | Marana Sasanam | Lalitha | |
| 1986 | Srimathi Kanuka | Padma | |
| 1986 | Vijrumbhana | Shobha | |
| 1986 | Vikram | Radha | |
| 1986 | Dagudu Moothalu | Radha | |
| 1986 | Asthram | Padmini | |
| 1987 | Muddula Manavudu | Hemalatha | |
| 1987 | Manavadostunnaadu | Roopa | |
| 1987 | Ajeyudu | Rekha | |
| 1987 | Muvva Gopaladu | Krishna veni | |
| 1987 | Trimurtulu | Latha | |
| 1988 | Rudraveena | Lalita Shiva Jyoti | |
| 1988 | Abhinandana | Rani | |
| 1988 | Praja Pratinidhi | Bharathi | |
| 1990 | Paapa Kosam | Swapna | |
| 1990 | Nari Nari Naduma Murari | Shobha | |
| 1990 | Kokila | Kokila | |
| 1990 | Shourya chakra | Bharathi | |
| 1990 | Neti Siddhartha | Jyoti | |
| 1990 | Alludugaru | Kalyani | |
| 1991 | April 1st Vidudhala | Bhuvaneshwari | |
| 1991 | Appula Appa Rao | Subba Laxmi | |
| 1991 | Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Janaki | |
| 1991 | Minor Raja | Santhana Lakshmi | |
| 1991 | Manchi Roju | Padma | |
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu | Sita | |
| 1991 | Alludu Diddina Kapuram | Sita | |
| 1991 | Keechu Raallu | Monica | |
| 1992 | Ahankari | Shobana | |
| 1992 | Asadhyulu | Jyoti | |
| 1992 | Champion | Sandhya | |
| 1992 | Hello Darling | Bharathi | |
| 1992 | Sivaratri | Gayatrhi | |
| 1992 | Gangwar | Pavithra | |
| 1993 | Rowdy Gaari Teacher | Malli | |
| 1993 | Naga Jyoti | Naga rani | |
| 1993 | Kannayya Kittayya | Saroja | |
| 1993 | Nippu Ravva | Guest appearance in a song | |
| 1993 | Rendilla Poojari | Radha | |
| 1993 | Rakshana | Padma | |
| 1997 | Surya Putrulu | Ragini | |
| 2006 | Game | Uma | |
| 2024 | Kalki 2898 AD | Mariam | Also sung the song "Theme of Shambala" |

### Tamil

List of Tamil film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | Herself | Child artist |
| 1980 | Manmatha Ragangal | Herself | Child artist |
| 1984 | Enakkul Oruvan | Kalpana | |
| 1985 | Marudhani | Marudhani | |
| 1988 | Oray Thaai Oray Kulam | Easwari | |
| 1988 | Idhu Namma Aalu | Banu | |
| 1989 | Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa | Radha | |
| 1989 | Paattukku Oru Thalaivan | Shanthi | |
| 1989 | Siva | Parvathy | |
| 1989 | Ponmana Selvan | Parvathy | |
| 1989 | Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai | Geeta | |
| 1990 | Enkitta Mothathe | Mallika | |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Santhana Lakshmi | |
| 1990 | Sathya Vaakku | Meena | |
| 1991 | Mahamayi | Mahamayi | |
| 1991 | Thalapathi | Subhalakshmi | |
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | Gayathri | |
| 1996 | Thuraimugam | Rukkumani | |
| 2012 | Podaa Podi | Veena | |
| 2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Yaaghavi | |

### Hindi

List of Hindi film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1998 | Swami Vivekananda | Dancer |
| 2007 | Apna Asmaan | Padmini Kumar |
| 2008 | Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Anuradha "Anu" Joshi |

### English

List of English film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2002 | Mitr, My Friend | Lakshmi | Actress Revathy's directional debut |
| 2003 | Dance Like a Man | Ratna Parekh | |
| 2008 | A Little Dream | Sundar's mother | Documentary film about the journey of former Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam |

### Kannada

List of Kannada film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Giri Baale | Neelaveni | |
| 1990 | Shivashankar | Girija | |

## Awards and recognitions
### Titles and honours

List of titles and honours received by Shobana :
| Year | Honour | Organisation |
| 2000 | Grade A Top | Doordarshan |
| 2006 | Padma Shri | Government of India |
| 2011 | Kalaimamani | Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Government of Tamil Nadu |
| 2012 | Arch of Excellence | All India Achievers Conference |
| 2013 | Kalarathna | Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy |
| 2018 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation |
| 2019 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute |
| 2022 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit |
| 2025 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |

### Film awards

List of film awards received by Shobana :
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
| 1984 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Kanamarayathu | Nominated |
| 1985 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Yathra | Nominated |
| 1986 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Chilambu | Nominated |
| 1988 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Telugu | Rudraveena | Nominated |
| 1988 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Tamil | Idhu Namma Aalu | Nominated |
| 1990 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Innale | Won |
| 1990 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Telugu | Alludugaru | Nominated |
| 1991 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Telugu | Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Nominated |
| 1993 | National Film Awards | Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu | Won |
| 1993 | Kerala State Film Awards | Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu | Won |
| 1993 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu & Meleparambil Anveedu | Won |
| 1993 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Manichitrathazhu | Nominated |
| 1994 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Thenmavin Kombath | Won |
| 1996 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Kumkumacheppu | Nominated |
| 1999 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Agnisakshi | Nominated |
| 1999 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Agnisakshi | Won |
| 2002 | National Film Awards | Best Actress | Mitr, My Friend | Won |
| 2005 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Makalkku | Nominated |
| 2013 | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Actress | Thira | Won |
| 2013 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Thira | Nominated |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress - Malayalam | Varane Avashyamund | Won |
| 2021-2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Malayalam | Varane Avashyamund | Nominated |

## Television

List of television credits :
| Year | Title | Channel | Language | Notes |
| 1991 | Penn | DD Podhigai | Tamil | Serial |
| 1999 | Uravugal | Vijay TV | Tamil | Serial |
| 2010 | Jodi Number one season 5 | Vijay TV | Tamil | Reality show as Judge |
| 2010 | Super Jodi | Surya TV | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2015 | D 3 (Grand finale) | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2017 | Midukki | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2021 | Margazhi Thingal | YouTube | Tamil | Music Video |