Janaki Sabesh

Janaki Sabesh is an Indian media professional, actor, model, storyteller, author of children's book, theatre and voiceover artist. Throughout her film career, she has played the "screen mother" to several leading actors, appearing predominantly Tamil and Telugu films.

Early life Janaki was born in Bangalore. She did her initial schooling in Carmel School, Kolkata and then from DTEA Senior Secondary School, New Delhi. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi and a master's degree in mass communication from Jamia Millia, Delhi. and Bombay Jayashri is her sister in law

Career In 1991, Janaki Sabesh assisted Simi Garewal with her documentary on Rajiv Gandhi called India's Rajiv. She made her professional acting debut in the movie Minsara Kanavu starring Kajol and Arvind Swamy, in which she played a nun. She later went on to act in Shankar's magnum opus Jeans, where she played Aishwarya Rai's mother. Since then, she has acted in over 25 movies, including the blockbuster hits Minnale and Ghilli, often playing the role of a mother.

She has modelled for leading brands like Cadburys, Pepsodent, KFJ, NAC jewellers, Chakra Gold Tea, Jansons Dhoti to name a few. She has also appeared in a web series titled Black Sheep on the YouTube channel of Stray Factory, Rascalas.Janaki's work as a theatre artist includes plays with Chennai-based theatre groups, Crea- Shakti & Madras Players.Janaki Sabesh's engagement with children began when she produced an audio cassette “The Learning Train” (1995) that simplified the world of numbers through story and songs.

She also runs her own storytelling initiative, Golpo - Tales Unlimited. The word Golpo in Bengali means "story". Her sessions are an interactive mix of narration, music and movement. She also conducts workshops for parents, teachers and students which centre on motivation and the productive uses of storytelling.

Janaki Sabesh turned an author in 2018 with her first picture book, "The Jungle Storytelling Festival" published by Tulika in 9 languages. Her 2nd picture book Paati's Rasam (co-authored with Dhwani Sabesh) won the Best Children's Book Award at Jarul 2023, also shortlisted (top 3) at the Neev Book Awards 2022.

Filmography Tamil films Year Film Role Notes 1997 Minsara Kanavu Sister Agnes 1998 Jeans Madhumitha's mother 1999 Jodi Guest appearance 2000 Kushi Jennifer's mother 2001 Minnale Rajiv Samuel's mother Poovellam Un Vasam Chinna's mother Shahjahan Mahee's mother 2002 Run Siva's mother 2003 Boys Renuka Enakku 20 Unakku 18 Train passenger 2004 Ghilli Velu's mother Vaanam Vasappadum Poongkothai's mother Aayutha Ezhuthu Doctor's wife 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Janaki Vallavan Vallavan's mother 2008 Dhaam Dhoom Gautham's mother 2009 Ayan Kamalesh's aide Engal Aasan Annalakshmi 2010 Singam Kavya's mother 2011 Nootrenbadhu Annalakshmi 2012 Billa II David's sister 2013 Singam 2 Kavya's mother 2014 Poojai Divya's mother 2017 Si3 Kavya's mother 2022 Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu Naidu Aunty 2023 Let's Get Married Meera's mother

Other language films Year Film Role Language 2001 Kushi Geetha Telugu 2003 Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu Train passenger 2006 Photographer John's sister-in-law Malayalam 2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Rajyalakshmi Telugu 2009 Josh Priyamvada 2010 Maro Charitra Snehalatha 2011 180 Annapurna

Web series Year Title Role Platform 2016 Black Sheep YouTube 2025–present Nadu Center Thachi's mother JioHotstar

Music video Year Film Role Ref.2024 Kaadhal Alaipayuthey Sanjana's mother