Sheela
Clara, known by her stage name Sheela (born 22 March 1945[1]) is an Indian film 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.[2][3] In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. She was one of the most popular and highest paid actresses, reportedly paid more than her male counterparts, of her time.
Sheela | |
|---|---|
 Sheela in 2017 | |
| Born | 22 March 1945[1] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Clara (Real name) |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active |
|
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | George Vishnu |
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.[4] 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 Thrissur, Ooty, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Edappally and St. Francis Anglo-Indian Girls School, Coimbatore.[1]
She was initially married to Xavier, a reporter, which ended in a divorce. Later she married actor Ravichandran, who co-starred with her in many films and has a son George in this marriage who has worked in a few Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films, apart from television. He is currently working as a reputed builder. He is married and has two daughters. Sheela has authored a Malayalam novel named Pathamathe Cheque and has also written a book titled Kuilinte Koodu, apart from many short stories. She is also a painter and an interior designer.
Film career
Sheela was introduced to theatre at the age of 13 by Tamil actor S. S. Rajendran. 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.[5] 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 70s and 80s, she directed two films Yakshaganom and Shikarangal. She wrote the story and screenplay for Shikharangaland 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.[6] After a long sabbatical, she returned to acting, playing a prominent role in Sathyan Anthikkad's Manassinakkare (2003). The same year, she acted in the Tamil film Chandramukhi.
Sheela, along with Prem Nazir, hold 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 was bought by Snehatheeram Baby Mathew and Mr. Ravi Pillai. The amount collected from these paintings were donated as flood relief fund for the people in Chennai.
Awards
- National Film Awards
- 2005 Best Supporting Actress – Akale[7]
- 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
- Asianet Film Awards
- 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
Malayalam
- 2019 - Ammachikoottile Pranayakalam
- 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)
- Pennai Vazha Vidungal (1969) as Shanathi
- Odum Nadhi (1969)
- Moondrezhuthu (1968) as Suguna
- Sathyam Thavaradhey (1968) as Leela
- Pudhiya Bhoomi (1968) as Nalina
- Paal Manam (1968)
- Gowri Kalyanam (1966)
- Vallavan Oruvan (1966) as Susi
- Lorry Driver (1966)
- Idhayak Kamalam (1965)
- 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)[8] as presenter
- Sthree (Asianet News) as presenter
- Serials
- Velutha Kathrina (Kairali TV) as Kathreena
- Kanalpoovu (Kairali TV) as Pulikattil Kathreena/Eliyamma
- As judge
- Malayali Veetamma(Flowers TV)
- Ugram Ujjwalam (Mazhavil Manorama)
- Comedy Stars season 2 (Asianet)
- Comedy Festival (Mazhavil Manorama)
- Other shows
- 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
Drama
- Kuttavum Shikshyum
Advertisements
- Lux Soap
- Star Choyz Caterers
- KPL Shudhi Coconut Oil
References
- നിത്യഹരിത നായിക ഷീലയ്ക്ക് 70 വയസ് [Evergreen heroine Sheila is 70 years old]. Mangalam Publications (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- "Records Application Search Longest Screen Partnership". Guinness World Records. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- "Comeback queen". The Hindu. 27 May 2005. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- "മലയാളത്തിന്റെ അഭിനയസൗന്ദര്യം". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- "Comedy Super Nite with Sheela – Full Episode#58". Flowerstv. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- "നിത്യഹരിത നായിക ഷീലയ്ക്ക് 70 വയസ്". Mangalam Publications. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- "Doing Malayalam proud". The Hindu. 22 July 2005. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
- "Actress Sheela to be a TV anchor – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 January 2018.