Monisha

Monisha Unni (24 January 1971 – 5 December 1992) was an Indian actress, known for her works Predominantly in Malayalam films and in a few Tamil and Kannada films.

Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive the National Film Award for Best Actress for Nakhakshathangal (1986), her debut feature film. Along with Sharada, Shobhana, Meera Jasmine, and Surabhi Lakshmi. Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such as M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, Priyadarshan, Ajayan, Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed and Sibi Malayil.

Early life

Monisha Unni was born in Panniyankara, Kozhikode, in 1971 to Narayanan Unni and Sreedevi Unni. She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore, and Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore. She then completed her graduation in psychology at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni.

Death Monisha Unni was working on the Malayalam film Cheppadividya when she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother, Sreedevi Unni, collided with a KSRTC bus at X-Ray Bypass Junction near Cherthala in Alappuzha district of Kerala. She was 21 years old. Monisha was sleeping in the back seat when the accident occurred. Her mother, Sreedevi was thrown out of the car, but escaped with bruises and fractures. Monisha, however, died within minutes due to a cervical fracture of her spine. Reports said Monisha was bleeding through her nose and ears. Although she was taken to the nearby KVM hospital, she had died. The driver of their Ambassador car also died in the accident. After conducting an autopsy at Government Medical College, Alappuzha, her dead body was taken to her home in Bengaluru, where she was cremated. Thousands attended her funeral.

Career Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M.T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into the film industry. She made her debut in Nakhakshathangal (1986), which was written by M. T. and directed by Hariharan. The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987.

Filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes 1984 Paavayya Tamil A 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan (based on "Vilaivu", a short story by K. I. Rajanarayanan) 1986 Nakhakshathangal GowriMalayalam National Film Award for Best Actress Rithubhedam Thankamani Sayam Sandhya Vinumol 1987 Pookkal Vidum Thudhu GowriTamil Lawyer Bharathi Devi Leela Telugu 1988 AryanSainabha Malayalam Chiranjeevi Sudhakar Sandhya Kannada Twin roleSarala Kanakambarangal Sreedevi Malayalam 1989 Dravidan Salma Tamil AdhipanGeetha Malayalam 1990 Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom Sathi Veena Meettiya Vilangukal Sridevi PerumthachanKunhikkavu Thamburatti Kaazhchakkappuram Ammu 1991 Venal KinavukalNalini KadavuDevi 1992 Unna Nenachen Pattu PadichenDhanam Tamil ThalastaanamRadha Malayalam Oru Kochu BhoomikulukkamViji KudumbasamethamThulasi Kamaladalam Malavika Champakulam ThachanAmmu Cheppadividya Elsa 1993 Moondravadhu Kann Priya Tamil