Sheela

Sheela Celine (born 22 March 1945), known mononymously as Sheela, is an Indian 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 (around 105) together as heroine and hero. She had also appeared in another 20 films with Prem Nazir, even as his mother in a film. Sheela is a four-time winner of Kerala State Film Award. She came back to acting in 2003 through Manassinakkare after 22 years. In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. In 2019, Sheela was honoured with the J C Daniel Award, the Kerala government's highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema. She was also one of the highest paid actresses, reportedly paid more than her male counterparts, of her time.

Early life and family Sheela was born at Kanimangalam to Antony, a railway officer, and Gracy in Thrissur, Kingdom of Travancore (now Kerala). She was brought up in Ooty. 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 Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Ooty, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Edappally, and St. Francis Anglo-Indian Girls School, Coimbatore. She was initially married to Xavier, a reporter, which ended in a divorce. She was then married to Tamil actor Ravichandran, and they have a son, George Vishnu.

Film career Sheela was introduced to theatre at the age of 13 by Tamil actor S. S. Rajendran, he offered her a job in S.S.R Nataka Mandram. 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. 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, and Urdu. Her popular films are Chemmeen, Kallichellamma, Velutha Kathreena Akale, Oru Penninte Kadha, Sarsaiya, Yakshaganam, Kutti Kuppayam, Sthanarthy Saramma, Kadathunattu Makkan, Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree, Jwala, Vazhve Mayam, Anubhavam,Sarapancharam,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 1970s and 1980s, she directed and wrote the story as well as screenplay for two films Shikharangal and Yakshaganom, 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 1983 and settled at Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu. After a long sabbatical, she returned to acting, playing a role in Sathyan Anthikkad's Manassinakkare (2003). The same year, she acted in the Tamil film Chandramukhi.

Sheela and Prem Nazir hold the Guinness World Record for acting in the highest 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 were bought by Snehatheeram Baby Mathew and Ravi Pillai. The amount collected from these paintings was donated as a flood relief fund for the people in Chennai.

Awards National Film Awards 2005 Best Supporting Actress – Akale

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 South Indian International Movie Awards 2021 – Lifetime Achievement Award

Other Awards 2019 J. C. Daniel Award 2019 Jayan Ragamalika Award 2020 Malayala Puraskaram 2024 Mazhavil Entertainment Awards - Evergreen Entertainer Award

Filmography

Actress

Malayalam

1962 – Bagyajathakam as Radha 1963 – Kattumaina as Neeli 1963 – Ninamaninja Kalpadukal as Ammini 1963 – Doctor as Jayasree 1963 – Susheela as Hema 1963 – Moodupadam as Ammukutty 1964 – Aayisha as Amina 1964 – Althara as Rebecca 1964 – Kuttikuppayam as Safiya 1964 – Karutha Kai as Latha 1964 – Bharthavu as Sumathi 1964 – Kudumbini as Jaanu 1964 – Oral Koodi Kallanayi as Ayisha 1965 – Thankakudam as Kabir's wife 1965 – Kavyamela as Sreedevi 1965 – Porter Kunjali as Aamina 1965 – Mayavi as Vasanthy 1965 – Thommante Makkal as Marykutty 1965 – Jeevitha Yaathra as Radha 1965 – Muthalali as Devaki 1965 – Chemmeen as Karuthamma 1965 – Daaham as Latha 1965 – Kadathukaran as Madhuri 1965 – Kathirunna Nikkah as Laila 1965 – Pattuthuvala as Celine 1966 - Rowdy as Devayani 1966 - Penmakkal as Padma 1966 – Priyathama 1966 – Tharavattamma as Radha 1966 – Kanakachilanka 1966 – Sthanarthi Saramma as Saramma 1966 – Kalithozhan as Radha 1966 – Koottukar as Radha 1967 – Lady Doctor as Lilly 1967 – Collector Malathi as Malathy 1967 – Kanatha Veshangal 1967 – Khadeeja 1967 – Mainatheruvi Kolacase as Marykutti 1967 – Cochin Express as Geetha 1967 – Swapnabhoomi as Sreedevi 1967 – Kottayam Kolacase 1967 – Pathirapattu as Soldier's wife 1967 – Chithramela 1967 – Agniputhri as Sindhu 1967 – Balyakalasakhi as Suhara 1967 – Ramanan as Chandrika 1967 – Pooja as Anandam 1967 – Olathumathi 1967 – Nadan Pennu as Achamma 1967 – Ashwamedham as Sarojam 1967 – Kudumbam as Nirmala 1968 – Thulabaram as Valsala 1968 – Agnipareeksha as Hema 1968 – Punnapra Vayalar as Chellamma 1968 – Love in Kerala as Mala 1968 – Padunna Puzha as Rajalakshmi 1968 – Velutha Kathreena as Kathreena 1968 – Vidhyarthi 1968 – Kayalkarayil 1968 – Lakshaprabhu 1968 – Bharyamar Sookshikkuka as Shobha 1968 – Anachadanam 1968 – Thirichadi as Ramani 1969 – Kallichellamma as Chellamma 1969 – Virunnukari as Radha 1969 – Kadalpalam as Sarala 1969 – Adimakal as Saraswathiyamma 1969 – Mister Kerala 1969 – Rest House as Leela 1969 – Koottukudumbam as Thankamma 1969 – Aalmaram as Kusumam 1969 – Kannur Deluxe as Jayasree 1969 – Jwala as Rajamma 1969 – Kuruthikalam 1969 – Pooja Pushppam 1969 – Rahsayam as Ammini 1969 – Danger Biscuit as Aswathy 1970 – Vazhve Mayam as Sarala, Sarala's daughter (double role) 1970 – Kurukshethram as Sethulakshmi 1970 – Vivaham Swargathil 1970 – Aranazhika Neram as Shanthamma 1970 – Ambalapravu as Sharadha 1970 – Mindapennu as Kamalam 1970 – Lottery Ticket as Malathy 1970 – Dathuputhran as Gracy 1970 – Bheekara Nimishangal as Savithri 1970 – Abhayam as Sethulakshmi 1970 – Othenante Makan as Unnimaathu 1970 – Ezhuthatha Kadha as Kayamkulam Kamalamma 1970 – Nizhalattam as Shantha 1970 – Ningalenne Communistakki as Sumam 1970 – Aa Chithrashalabam Paranotte as Indira 1970 – Nazhikakallu 1970 – Kalpana as Sushamma, Susheela, Kalpana 1970 – Moodalmanju as Geetha, Usha 1970 – Anadha as Radha 1970 – Palunku Pathram 1971 – Vivaha Sammanam as Gourikutty 1971 – Ummachu as Ummachu 1971 – Thettu as Baby 1971 – Puthenveedu 1971 – Sumangali as Vasanthy 1971 – Sarasayya as Sarojam 1971 – Anubhavangal Paalichakal as Bhavani 1971 – Inquilab Sindabad as Rajamma 1971 – Panchavankaadu as Kochu Thankachi 1971 – Moonnupookkal as Shobha 1971 – Shiksha as Shobha 1971 – Muthassi as Susi/Geetha 1971 – Oru Penninte Kadha as Savithri/Gayathridevi 1971 – Makane Ninaku Vendi as Chinnamma 1971 – Karinizhal as Malathy/Baby 1971 – Agnimrugam as Bhanumathi 1971 – Vithukal as Sarojini 1971 – Thapaswini 1971 – Kalithozhi as Ammini 1971 – Avalalppam Vaikipoyi 1972 – Omana as Omana 1972 – Baalya Prathinja as Kusuma 1972 – Sakthi 1972 – Preethi 1972 – Aradimanite Janmi as Dr.Jayanthy 1972 – Nadan Premam as Malu 1972 – Anandashayanam 1972 – Puthrakameshti as Rupa 1972 – Aromalunni as Maakkam 1972 – Manushya Bandangal as Sudha 1972 – Devi 1973 – Ithu Manushyanano 1973 – Chukku as Molly 1973 – Kaapalika as Rosamma/Kaapalika 1973 – Chaayam 1974 – Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree 1974 – Thumbolarcha as Thumbolarcha 1974 – Manyashree Vishvamithran as Kusumam 1974 – Shapamoksham 1974 – Vishnuvijayam as Leela 1974 – Aswathy 1975 – Athithi as Ramani 1975 – Omanakunju as Gouri 1975 – Odakuzhal 1975 – Mattoru Seetha as Seetha's sister 1975 – Ulasayathra 1976 – Palkadal as Gouri 1976 – Anubhavam as Valsala 1976 – Rajankanam 1976 – Mallanum Mathevanum 1976 – Yakshagaanam as Savithri 1976 – Romeo 1977 – Kannappanunni as Ponni 1977 – Samudram as Omana 1977 – Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana... PC Omana, Ammini (double role) 1977 – Aashirvadam 1977 – Aa Nimisham 1977 – Veedoru Swargam 1977 – Lakshmi 1977 – Kavilamma 1977 – Poojakedukatha Pookkal as Sharada 1977 – Yatheem as Kunjivarachi 1977 – Aparadhi as Susheela 1977 – Niraparayum Nilavilakkum 1977 – Innale Innu as Thulasi 1977 – Mohavum Mukthiyum 1977 – Ivanente Priyaputhran 1977 – Neethipeedam 1977 – Aval Oru Devalayam as Jameela 1978 – Bharyayum Kamukiyum 1978 – Jalatharangam as Lakshmi 1978 – Eeta as Annamma 1978 – Jayikkanayi Janichavan as Lakshmi 1978 – Amarsham 1978 – Itha Oru Manushyan as Radha 1978 – Anappachan as Sundari 1978 – Tiger Salim 1978 – Kanyaka as Geetha 1978 – Etho Oru Swapnam as Kousalya 1978 – Kadathanattu Makkam as Makkam 1978 – Vilakkum Velichavum 1978 – Ahalya 1979 – Avesham as Susheela 1979 – Sarapancharam as Soudamini 1979 – Pathivrutha 1979 – Sikharangal as Savithri 1979 – Pichathikuttappan 1979 – Yakshiparu as Paru 1980 – Theenalangal as Devamma/Leelamma 1980 – Avan Oru Ahankari 1980 – Kalika as Kalika 1980 – Nattuchakkiruttu 1980 – Ithile Vannavar as Devi Menon 1980 – Akalangalil Abhayam 1980 - Pappu as herself 1981 – Adimachangala 1981 – Urukku Mushttikal 1981 – Sphodanam as Devaki 1981 – Thakilu Kottampuram as Mridula 1981 – Thalam Manasinte Thalam 1982 - Sahyante Makan 1982 – Madrasile Mon 1982 – Aasha 2003 – Manassinakkare as Kochu Thresia 2004 – Akale as Margaret D'Costa 2005 – Thaskara Veeran as Meenakhsi 2005 – Ponmudipuzhayorathu as Subhadramma 2006 – Pathaka as Elizabeth Mamman 2008 - Twenty:20 as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo) 2011 – Naayika as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo) 2011 – Snehaveedu as Ammukutty Amma 2011 – Kottarathil Kutty Bhootham as Grandma 2012 - Lumiere Brothers as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo) 2012 – Mr. Marumakan as Raja Kokila 2014 – Ulsaha Committee as Rosemary 2017 – Basheerinte Premalekhanam as Ummuma 2019 - Thanka Bhasma Kuriyitta Thamburatty as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo) 2019 - A for Apple as Lekshmy 2021 - Ammachikoottile Pranayakalam as Rosamma 2023 - Anuragam

2025- Oru Kadha Oru Nala Kadha

Tamil

Paasam (1962) as Chandra Panathottam (1963) as Meena Vanambadi (1963) as Chitra Kaattumaina (1963) Karpagam (1963) as Pankajam Chitrangi (1964) Karuppu Panam (1964) as Luci Nanum Manidandhan (1964) Kaattu Ranni (1965) as Meena Idhayak Kamalam (1965) as Seetha Lorry Driver (1966) Vallavan Oruvan (1966) as Susi Gowri Kalyanam (1966) as Lakshmi Paal Manam (1968) Pudhiya Bhoomi (1968) as Nalina Sathyam Thavaradhey (1968) as Leela Moondrezhuthu (1968) as Suguna Odum Nadhi (1969) as Maya Pennai Vazha Vidungal (1969) as Shanathi Manjal Kungumam (1973) as Subhadra Amma Appa (1974) Sendhoora Devi (1991) Bombay (1995) Chandramukhi (2005) as Akhilandeswari Veeranna (2005) as Rajeshwari Seedan (2011) as Amritavalli Palakkattu Madhavan (2015) as Pattu Maami Marravan (2016) as Velambal

Telugu

Nene Monaganni (1968) as Neela Nenena Managadu (1968) Vichitra Kutumbam (1969) as Julie Bhale Mastaru (1969) as Vimala Gowravam (1982)

Story, screenplay, and direction Yakshagaanam (1976) Sikharangal (1979) Onnu Chirikkoo (1983) - Story only

Television Malayalam Shows as host Jeevitham Sakshi (Kairali TV) as presenter Sthree (Asianet News) as presenter

Serials Velutha Kathrina (Kairali TV) as Kathreena Kanalpoovu (Kairali TV) as Pulikattil Kathreena/Eliyamma Aliyans (Kaumudy TV) as herself Kadhanayika (Mazhavil Manorama) As judge Oru Chiri Oru Chiri Bumper Chiri (Mazhavil Manorama) Malayali Veetamma (Flowers TV) Smile Plz (Asianet Plus) Ugram Ujjwalam (Mazhavil Manorama) Comedy Stars season 2 (Asianet) Comedy Festival (Mazhavil Manorama) Red Carpet (Amrita TV) - Mentor Star Magic (Flowers TV) - Mentor Comedy masters ( Amrita TV) Katturumbu 2 ( Flowers TV) Other shows as guest Flowers Oru Kodi 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

Theatre Kuttavum Shikshyum