Suhasini Maniratnam

Suhasini Maniratnam
Suhasini at Vaanam Kottatum audio launch
Born
Suhasini Charuhasan

(1961-08-15) 15 August 1961
Paramakudi, Madras State, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • director
  • producer
  • writer
  • dubbing artist
Years active1980–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1988)​
Children1
RelativesCharuhasan (father)

Suhasini Maniratnam (née Charuhasan; born 15 August 1961)[1] is an Indian actress who works in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films.[2]

Early life

Suhasini Maniratnam was born at Paramakudi[3] in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu to lawyer and veteran actor Charuhasan[4][5] and Komalam. She studied at Yadhava Christian School and thereafter at a government middle school[6] in Paramakudi before moving to Madras at the age of 12 to live with her uncle Kamal Haasan[7] and her grandmother.[8] She then resumed her education at Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyalaya in Chennai and at Queen Mary's College, Chennai.[9]

Suhasini's entry into the world of movies was quite accidental. Before completing her B.Sc. degree[10] at college, she enrolled at the Madras Film Institute to learn cinematography. She then became the first woman to graduate from the Madras Film Institute and began her career as a technician on the film set. She belongs to the Brahmin community.[11] Her paternal cousins Anu Hasan, Shruti Haasan, and Akshara Haasan are also actors.[12]

Film career

As an actress

While working as a camera assistant to Ashok Kumar, the cinematographer, during her second year at Film Institute, she was spotted by Director Mahendran. Suhasini made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil movie Nenjathai Killathe. For her first movie, she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She was introduced to Malayalam cinema through Padmarajan's Koodevide (1983), which also featured Mammootty. She appeared in the AFI Fest nominated feature film Vanaprastham (1999), which starred Mohanlal.

She has acted with the late Vishnuvardhan in Bandhana (1984), Suprabhatha (1988), Muthina Haara (1990), Himapatha (1995), Hendithghelthini (1998), Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige (2007) and School Master (2010).

She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1985 Tamil film Sindhu Bhairavi, directed by K. Balachander.[13]

As a director

In 1991, Suhasini directed the anthology mini-series Penn shown on Madras Doordarshan. The series featured eight standalone episodes examining the lives of South Indian women, and starred several of her contemporaries such as Shobana, Revathi, Radhika and Amala as protagonists.[14][15][16]

In 1995, she stepped into direction, helming her first film Indira. In November 1997, Suhasini directed a short television film titled Swayamvaram featuring Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Rajiv Menon. The script had been written by Sujatha and commissioned by Revathi and Suresh Menon.[17]

Suhasini directed a segment titled "Coffee, Anyone?" in Amazon Prime's Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020) and featured in the leading role alongside her cousins Shruti Haasan, Anu Hasan and her mother Komalam.[18][19]

Other work

Suhasini and her husband Mani Ratnam have been involved in the running of their production company Madras Talkies since 1997.

Honorary consul

Suhasini was appointed the honorary consul of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2015. She held the post until 2020.[20]

Goodwill and brand ambassador

Naam Foundation

“Women empowerment starts at home. My mother raised me to be independent and my father was progressive. He was the one who encouraged me to become an actress. I have been very lucky,” shared Suhasini.[21] during a conversation with Mohammed Ali Baig at Cinematics

Suhasini founded Naam Foundation in 2010 with the objective to empower single women from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering opportunities for self-worth and independence.[22] The foundation offers a range of programs including medical aid, self-defense training, vocational and education support, counseling, and legal aid for women and their children.

Personal life

Suhasini with her husband Mani Ratnam

Suhasini married film director Mani Ratnam on 26 August 1988 and the couple has a son, Nandan, born in 1992.[23]

Awards

National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[27]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Nandi Awards
Cinema Express Awards

Filmography

Order based on number of films that she acted in.

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Telugu

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Telugu film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1981Kotha JeevithaluJothi
1982Manchu PallakiGita
Manishiko CharithraChithra
1983Bahudoorapu BatasariSubhashini
Maga Maharaju
Muddula MoguduSarala
Subha Muhurtham
Mukku PudakaMangatayaru
1984Nirdhoshi
ChallengeLakshmi
Aparadhi
Intiguttu
Mangammagari ManavaduMalli
Justice ChakravarthyLakshmi
Adigo Alladigo
Bava Maradallu
Manishiko Charitra
Illalu Priyuralu
SwatiSwathiWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Won—Nandi Award for Best Actress
1985KongumudiSusheela[29]
Manglya Bandham
Maharaju
BulletUsha
DampatyamDr. Lalitha
SikshaBhagyalakshmi
Jackie
Mugguru Mitrulu
SravanthiSravanthiNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
1986ChantabbaiJwala
Santhi NivasamLekha
Sravana Sandhya
Karpoora DeepamManasa
Muddula Manavaralu
RakshasuduSumatri
Shanti Nivasam
SirivennelaSubhashiniNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
KirathakuduSwetha
Police OfficerSeetha
1987Thene ManasuluRadha
President Gari AbbaiLatha
Samsaram Oka ChadarangamUmaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Punya Dampathulu
Punnami Chandrudu
GouthamiGouthami
Lawyer SuhasiniSuhasini
AradhanaJennifer
Brahma Nayudu
1988Anna ChelleluHerselfCameo
Bharya BhartaluAshalatha
Chuttalabbayi
Chattamto Chadarangam Padma [30]
VarasudochhaduAnnapurna
Manchi DongaMadhavi
Ramudu BheemuduSwathi
Marana MrudangamUthpala
Aakhari PoratamSunadha Mala
1989Mamathala Kovela
Paape Maa PranamAruna[31]
Bala GopaluduRekha
1990Yama Dharmaraju
1991AmmaDharani
1992Akka Mogudu
1993Ratha SarathiDr. Shakunthala
1994SubhalagnamMeena
1996RamudochaduArundathi
Hello Guru
1997Pelli PandiriDr. Prabhavathi
Egire PaavuramaYashodhamma
1998Ooyala
Padutha TheeyagaRadha[32]
Manasichi Choodu
2000Sakutumba Saparivaara SametamVaani
2001Nuvvu Naaku NachavSujatha
2003AbhimanyuJanaki
2004PedababuPedababu's mother
DostSnehalatha
2006Seethakoka ChilukaCollector
Valliddari Vayasu PadaharePuja's mother
RakhiMeenakshi Iyer
2007Sri MahalakshmiLakshmi's sister
2008SangamamDr. Geetha
Amma CheppindiBose's mother
2010LeaderRajeswari DeviNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
VaruduSandy's mother
2011Bhale Mogudu Bhale PellamMadhavi
2012Gabbar SinghGabbar Singh's motherNominated—SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?Suguna
2013BaadshahBaadshah's mother
MinuguruluCollector
2014LegendJaidev's motherCameo
2017Okkadu Migiladu
2018Tholi PremaAditya's mother
Touch Chesi ChuduShalini's mother
Satya Gang
2019YatraSabitha Indra Reddy
SuryakanthamSupriya
2020Entha ManchivaadavuraaJaya
2022Malli ModalaindiSuja[33]
BalamevvaduDr. Yashoda
Gurthunda SeethakalamDr. X
2023Mr. PregnantDoctor[34]
Spark LifeDr. Indira[35]
2024Honeymoon ExpressTripura Sundari[36]

Tamil

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Tamil film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1980 Nenjathai KillatheVijiDebut film as an actress
Won—Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1981Deiva Thirumanangal
Kudumbam Oru KadambamParvathi
Madhumalar
Palaivana SolaiGeethaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1982Vadivangal
Marumagale VazhgaLakshmi
Azhagiya Kanney
Thottal Sudum
Lottery Ticket
Kalyana KalamGeetha
Nandri, Meendum Varuga
Agaya GangaiSumathi
Gopurangal SaivathillaiArukkaniNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1983Veetile Raman Velile KrishnanChitti
Uruvangal MaralamLakshmi
Oru Indhiya KanavuAnamika
Poikkal KudhiraiGuest appearance
Apoorva Sahodarigal
Thai VeeduGeetha
Puthiya Sangamam
1985Sindhu BhairaviSindhuWon—National Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1987Manathil Uruthi VendumNandini
Ananda Aradhanai
Dhoorathu Pachai
1988Dharmathin ThalaivanSumathi
En Bommukutty AmmavukkuLakshmiNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1989Thendral PuyalanadhuGautami
En Purushanthaan Enakku MattumthaanSaradha
1991PennAlso director
1993Chinna KannammaUma
1996Irattai RojaGeetha
1997NandhiniNandhini
2001ChocolateSaradha
2003VaseegaraPriya's Aunt
Eera NilamChinnathayi
2004ShockExorcist
2007Satham PodatheyGynecologist
2008AeganShiva's mother
2009BalamMahesh's sister-in-law
2010ThillalangadiKrishna's mother
2011SeedanThangam
2014RamanujanKomalatammalNominated—Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress
2015Kanchana 2Channel MD
2017NibunanMrs.Emmanuel
Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2Sister Lily
2018SollividavaMadhu's aunt
2019BoomerangGowri Thiruselvan
KeeSiddharth's mother
2020Putham Pudhu KaalaiValliAmazon Prime anthology film; also director
2025The VerdictElisa[37]
2026AnanthaAnnapurna[38]
CharukesiBhagyam[39]

Kannada

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Kannada film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1983Benkiyalli Aralida HoovuKavithaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1984BandhanaDr. Nandini
1986Hosa NeeruBhavana
1986UshaUsha
1988SuprabhathaHemaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1990Muthina HaaraAnnapurnaWon—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1995HimapathaSumithra
1997AmruthavarshiniVeena
Ganga YamunaCameo
1998HendithghelthiniRadha
1999VishwaIndu
2000Yaarige Saluthe SambalaLakshmi
Swalpa Adjust Madkolli
2001Ellara Mane DosenuMedia reporter
2003AnnavruGowri
2005O Gulabiye
2006Mohini 9886788888Mohini's mother
2007Maathaad Maathaadu MalligeKanakaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
2010Eradane MaduveMalavika
School MasterSneha
Deadly-2
2011Sanju Weds GeethaLakshmi
Mathond MadhuvenaMalavika
2013MynaDoctor
2014Sachin! Tendulkar AllaSakshi DineshWon—SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Kannada
2015RebelAnupama
MasterpieceDurga
2016ViraatChief Minister
Preethiyalli Sahaja
NaaniSuraksha
2017Masti GudiChief Minister
VismayaMrs. Immanuel
2018Prema BarahaMadhu's aunt
Ambi Ning VayassaythoNandini
2019YaanaSujatha
Ayushman BhavaHarshini Prasad
2020VarnapatalaDoctor
2022Monsoon RaagaHasini

Malayalam

List of Suhasini Maniratnam Malayalam film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1983KoodevideAlice
Adaminte VaariyelluVasanthi
1984Thathamme Poocha PoochaKalyani
Unni Vanna DivasamAnu
AksharangalBharathi
AarorumariyatheSudha
Ente UpasanaLathika
1985Katha IthuvareRekha
1986PranamamUsha/Thulasi
Rakkuyilin RagasadassilJanani
1987EzhuthapurangalRajalakshmiWon—Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
Manivathoorile Aayiram SivarathrikalNeena
1988OohakachavadamMalathy
1989Oru Sayahnathinte SwapnamCapt. Alice Cherian
1993SamoohamMLA Rajalekshmi
1997BhaaratheeyamRevathy
1999VarnachirukukalAnjali Gupta
VanaprasthamSubhadra Thamburatti
2001TheerthadanamVinodiniWon—Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
2002NammalSnehalatha
2005VacationCelina
2006PachakuthiraAkash's motherPhoto appearance
2009VilapangalkkappuramDr. Mary Varghese
Nammal ThammilRosy IAS
Makante AchanRema
2013KalimannuDr. Sophy
2015Love 24x7Dr. Sarayu
Salt Mango TreeDeepika
2017SoloMrs.Vidya Ramachandran
2021Marakkar: Arabikadalinte SimhamKhadeejumma
2023PookkaalamClara[40]
2025Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu[41]
2026Anchaam Pramaanam †GracyFilming[42]

Other language

List of Suhasini Maniratnam other language film credits
Year Title Role Language Ref.
2003StumbleNandiniEnglish[43]
2015WaitingPankajaHindi

As director and writer

Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1991PennYesYesTV series
1992RojaNoUncredited
1993Thiruda ThirudaNoDialogue
1995BombayNoUncredited
IndiraYesYes
1997IruvarNoDialogue
1999Ganesh VasanthYesYesTV series
2000Alai PayutheyNoUncredited
2010RaavananNoDialogue
2020Putham Pudhu KaalaiYesYesAmazon Prime film; for the segment Coffee, Anyone?

Television

List of Suhasini Maniratnam television credits
Year Title Role Language Channel Notes
Hasini Pesum PadamHostTamilJaya TV
Autograph
Weekend with StarsZee Tamil TV
Ninaivu KurippugalDD Podhigai
2020Bigg Boss 4HerselfStar VijayGuest
2022Modern Love HyderabadGangammaTeluguAmazon Prime Video
2024Jai MahendranShobhaMalayalamSony LIV[44]
Soul StoriesRaniManorama Max[45]
Nayanthara: Beyond the FairytaleHerselfEnglishNetflixDocumentary film

Dubbing artist

Year Title Actress Role Notes
1991ThalapathiShobhana
1993Thiruda ThirudaHeera Rajagopal
1997IddaruTabuTelugu dubbed version
1998UyireManisha KoiralaTamil dubbed version

References

  1. ↑ "Mani Ratnam's gift for Suhasini". The Times of India. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Kamal Haasan, Ramya Krishnan, Khushbu and others have fun at Suhasini's birthday party". India Today. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. ↑ Krishna, Nitika (20 August 2025). "Suhasini Maniratnam: Cinema has taught me to accept life as it is". The New Indian Express.
  4. ↑ "'Best in the world': Suhasini wishes dad-actor Charuhasan on his birthday". ‘Best in the world': Suhasini wishes dad-actor Charuhasan on his birthday.
  5. ↑ K, Janani (1 November 2024). "Kamal Haasan's brother and actor Charuhasan hospitalised after suffering a fall". India Today.
  6. ↑ Ratnam, Suhasini Mani (30 November 1999). "Education in Chennai: Where every learned person is a library". India Today.
  7. ↑ "When Suhasini Maniratnam was embarrassed by uncle Kamal Haasan during her college days: 'I used to beg him to wear trousers'". The Times of India. 29 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "From Paramakudi to winning an international award in Minsk". suhasini.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Ratnam, Suhasini Mani (30 November 1999). "Education in Chennai: Where every learned person is a library". India Today.
  10. ↑ Saraswat, Sarthak (11 June 2017). "Nothing pays like hard work: Suhasini Maniratnam". The Hindu.
  11. ↑ "The reluctant star". The Times of India. 15 August 2001.
  12. ↑ "Suhasini Mani Ratnam: Nepotism accusations haven't reached the South yet". Cinema Express. 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "Priyamani to Suhasini: 6 Tamil actresses who won a National Award". www.zoomtventertainment.com. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "Penn, they don't make them like these anymore!". The New Indian Express. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Suhasini Maniratnam is in search of something special". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Tribune – Windows – Main Feature". Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "Movies have been the love of my life!". suhasini.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Putham Pudhu Kaalai review: A very average anthology". Sify. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020.
  19. ↑ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (15 October 2020). "'Putham Pudhu Kaalai' movie review: A delightful look at life and relationships during lockdown". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  20. ↑ Tamil, Galatta (30 January 2020). "Suhasini honorary council for Luxembourg". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  21. ↑ Krishna, Nitika (20 August 2025). "Suhasini Maniratnam: Cinema has taught me to accept life as it is". New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  22. ↑ "'I would rather teach fishing than give fish'". 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  23. ↑ "Suhasini wishes her husband Mani Ratnam on their wedding anniversary". The Times of India. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  24. ↑ "36th Annual Filmfare South Winners : Santosh : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". archive.org. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Vidura". 1989.
  26. ↑ "38th Filmfare Awards Kannada Winners". 16 April 2025.
  27. ↑ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "'Kannathil Muthamittal' bags 6 Cinema Express awards". The Hindu. 22 December 2002. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  29. ↑ "Kongumudi (1985)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  30. ↑ CHATTAMTHO CHADARANGAM | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | SOBHAN BABU | SARATH BABU |ARJUN | SHARADA | V9 VIDEOS. Retrieved 1 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  31. ↑ "Pape Maa Pranam (1989)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  32. ↑ "PAADUTHA TEEYAGA". Andhra Today. Archived from the original on 22 June 2002.
  33. ↑ "Here's the captivating first look of Sumanth's relationship drama Malli Modalaindi". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "Mr Pregnant: Syed Sohel's 'Katha Veruntadhi' song gets good response". The Times of India. 20 January 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  35. ↑ "Vikranth Reddy-starrer Telugu Film Spark: LIFE Fails To Impress Audience". News18. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  36. ↑ "Director K Raghavendra Rao Releases Title Track Of Honeymoon Express". News18. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  37. ↑ Features, C. E. (30 April 2025). "Suhasini Mani Ratnam-Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's The Verdict gets release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  38. ↑ "Anantha Movie Review: Faith anthology for the already faithful". The Times of India.
  39. ↑ SV, Harshini (16 June 2026). "Charukesi Movie Review: A Melodious Tale That Struggles To Find Its Rhythm". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  40. ↑ "First single from Pookkaalam out". Cinema Express. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  41. ↑ "Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu OTT: മധുരം ജീവാമൃത ബിന്ദു ഒടിടിയിലെത്തി, എവിടെ കാണാം?". Indian Express (in Malayalam). 1 November 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  42. ↑ "Suhasini Maniratnam to lead new Malayalam film Anchaam Pramaanam". The Cinema Express. 7 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  43. ↑ Gumaste, Deepa (21 February 2003). "The Rediff Review: Stumble". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  44. ↑ "Saiju Kurup's Sony LIV series Jai Mahendran gets a release date". Cinema Express. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  45. ↑ "From Soul Stories to 1000 Babies: New Malayalam OTT releases to watch this week on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video". The Economic Times. 22 October 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 6 August 2025.

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