Menaka (actress)

{{Infobox person

| name = Menaka

| image = Menaka actress.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = Padmavathi Iyengar

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, India

| nationality = Indian

| years_active = 1980–1987
2005–present

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|Film producer}}

| spouse = {{Marriage|G. Suresh Kumar|1987}}

| children = 2 (incl. Keerthy Suresh)

}}

Menaka Suresh, (born Padmavathi Iyengar) known mononymously as Menaka, is an Indian actress and film producer.{{cite web |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14519595&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@&tabId=3 |title=Movies Nostalgia |website=Manorama Online |date=23 December 2013 |access-date=26 January 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026101355/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14519595&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@&tabId=3 |archivedate=26 October 2014 |url-status=dead}} She made her debut in the 1980 Tamil film Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta. In an acting career spanning from 1980 to 1987, Menaka appeared in over 125 films as a heroine, mostly in Malayalam. She also appeared in few Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. She married Malayalam film producer G. Suresh Kumar.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} After 19 years, she made a comeback through the television serial Kaliveedu.[http://kerals.com/news/fulldetail.php?t=236 Kerala News – Menaka] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218204509/http://kerals.com/news/fulldetail.php?t=236 |date=18 February 2009 }}. Kerals.com (26 September 2005). Retrieved 26 January 2014. At 8th SIIMA, she received SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award.{{cite news |title=SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/siima-awards-2019-winners-rangasthalam-kgf-yash-keerthy-suresh-tamil-telugu-malayalam-kannada-5909506/ |access-date=19 November 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=17 August 2019 |language=en}}

Early life

Menaka, whose real name is Padmavathy, was born into a Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, India.Shevlin Sebastian (13 May 2013) [http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/Menaka-was-treated-like-a-queen/2013/05/13/article1587175.ece Menaka was treated like a queen] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703073246/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/Menaka-was-treated-like-a-queen/2013/05/13/article1587175.ece |date=3 July 2013 }}. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 January 2014. She was the only daughter among the four children of Rajagopal and Saroja. Both her parents were school teachers. Her mother Saroja taught at the Lourdes Girls' Higher Secondary School in Perambur, Madras.[http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-155329 സിനിമ എങ്ങനെ ഞാന്‍ മറക്കും – articles, infocus_interview – Mathrubhumi Eves] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026103236/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-155329 |date=26 October 2014 }}. Mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 26 January 2014.[http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=2&no_of_displayed_rows=20&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter= A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505095042/http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=2&no_of_displayed_rows=20&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter= |date=5 May 2015 }}. Cinidiary. Retrieved 11 October 2016.

Career

Menaka had become one of the highest-paid actresses in South Indian cinema when she decided to retire from acting post-marriage. After 24 years, she made a comeback as a film actress in 2011 with Fazil-directed Living Together, in a character role.[http://www.sify.com/movies/menaka-is-back-in-front-of-the-camera-news-malayalam-kk1lOFfgdha.html Menaka is back in front of the camera] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107030042/http://www.sify.com/movies/menaka-is-back-in-front-of-the-camera-news-malayalam-kk1lOFfgdha.html |date=7 November 2014 }}. Sify.com (29 October 2010). Retrieved 26 January 2014.

Personal life

Menaka married film producer G. Suresh Kumar at Guruvayur Temple on 27 October 1987. They have two daughters — Revathy and Keerthy Suresh. Initially they settled in Chennai and later moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Keerthy is a film actress and Revathy is an assistant director.[http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/84386 ഞാന്‍ കീര്‍ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള്‍] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206212130/http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/84386 |date=6 December 2013 }}. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved 11 October 2016.[http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/84386 ഞാന്‍ കീര്‍ത്തി; മേനകയുടെ മകള്‍] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206212130/http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/84386 |date=6 December 2013 }}. mangalam.com (16 August 2013). Retrieved 26 January 2014.

Filmography

=As an actress=

==Malayalam==

Year	Title	Role	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
2021	Bhramam	Uday's yesteryear co-star
2021	8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K.G. George	Herself	Documentary
2017	Ima	Raadhu	Short film
2015	Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum	Shobha
2013	Abhiyum Njanum	Devika
2013	Kutteem Kolum	Subadra
2013	Pakaram	Parvathi
2012	Orkut Oru Ormakoot	Veni
2012	Vaadhyar	Subhadra
2011	Living Together	Valsala
1994	Chanakya Soothrangal	Leela
1987	Kottum Kuravayum \| \|
1987	Kilippattu
1987	Neeyethra Dhanya	Shobha
1987	Onnaam Maanam Poomaanam	Rema
1986	Amme Bhagavathi	Parvathy
1987	Kottum Kuravayum	Vimala
1987	Poovittu Poovittu (Thammil Kandappol)
1986	Varshangal Poyathariyathe	Lakshmi
1986	Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam	Sujatha
1986	Snehamulla Simham	Vilasini
1986	Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi	Kaveri
1986	Naale Njangalude Vivahum	Indu
1986	Ponnum Kudthinu Pottu	Sethubhai
1986	Revathikkoru Pavakkutty	Indu
1986	Yuvajanotsavam	Nirmala
1986	Aalorungi Arangorungi	Marykutty
1986	Viswasichalum Illenkilum \|
\|
1986	Oppam Oppathinoppam	Rajamma
1986	Bharya Oru Manthri	Jayadevi
1986	Malarum Kiliyum	Maya
1986	Bhagavaan
1986	Hello My Dear Wrong Number	Shobha
1986	Kulambadikal	Susan
1985	Akkare Ninnoru Maran	Nandini
1985	Boeing Boeing	Sreekutty
1985	Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya	Shalini
1985	Mounanombaram	Indu
1985	Vellam	Ambika
1985	Mukhyamantri	Anu
1985	Ormikkan Omanikkan \|
\|
1985	Sammelanam	Shalini
1985	Oru Nokku Kanan	Sandhya
1985	Archana Aaradhana	Aradhana
1985	Edanilangal	Bhanu
1985	Anakkorumma	Devi
1985	Soundarya Pinakkam	Malini
1985	Principal Olivil	Malathi
1985	Ambada Njaane!	Devayani
1985	Ee Thalamura Ingane	-
1985	Ozhivukalam
1985	Oro Poovilum
1985	Kandu Kandarinju	Ammini
1984	Muthodumuthu	Achimol (Aswathy)
1984	Engane Undasane	Sunanda
1984	Mainakam	Jaya
1984	Manase Ninakku Mangalam	Sobha
1984	Piriyilla Naam	Sherly
1984	Poochakkoru Mookkuthi	Revathi
1984	Appunni	Ammu
1984	Swanthamevide Bandhamevide	Indulekha
1984	Thirakil Alppam Samayam	Saphiya
1984	Ethirppukal	Lakshmi
1984	Amme Narayana
1984	Sooryane Mohicha Penkutty
1984	Oru Thettinte Katha \|
\|
1984	Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram	Prameela
1984	Velichamillatha Veedhi	Lekha
1984	Onnum Mindatha Bharya	Asha Thampi
1984	Aagraham \|
\|
1984	Krishna Guruvayoorappa	Unni's wife
1984	Paavam Poornima	Poornima
1984	Vepralam	Beena
1984	Aayiram Abhilashangal \|
\|
1984	Odaruthammava Aalariyam	Shobha Govind
1984	Karimbu	Princy
1984	Vellam	Ambika
1984	Koottinilamkili	Radhika
1984	Adiyozhukkukal	Madhavi
1984	Thirakal	Rekha
1983	Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla	Herself
1983	Rathilayam	Makutty
1983	Engane Nee Marakkum	Sobha
1983	Pourusham	Janu
1983	Justice Raja	Thulasi
1983	Thalam Thettiya Tharattu	Sindhu
1983	Thavalam	Ramani
1983	Arabikadal	–
1983	Astapahi	Radha
1983	Nadi Muthal Nadi Vare	Thulasi
1983	Shesham Kazhchayil	Lathika
1983	Eettillam	Abitha
1983	Rugma	Elizabeth
1983	Kolakomban	Dr.Leela
1983	Kathi	-
1983	Oru Mottu Virinjappol	-
1983	Arunayude Prabhatham
1982	Ponnum Poovum	Subhadra
1982	Ente Mohangal Poovaninju	Sridevi
1982	Drohi \|
\|
1982	Kanmanikkorumma/Ushnabhoomi	Usha
1982	Kaalam	Jaya
1982	Rakthasakshi	Geetha
1982	Aayudham	Usha
1982	Adarsham	Malathy
1981	Veshangal	-
1981	Kolangal	Kunjamma
1981	Ahimsa	Safiya
1981	Munnettam	Indu
1981	Guha	Suvarna
1981	Visham	Shobha
1981	Veliyettam	Jaanu
1981	Oppol	Malu

==Tamil==

Year	Title	Role	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
1980	Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta	Ramayi	Debut movie
1980	Savithri	Savithri
1980	Oli Pirandhathu	Kalyani
1981	Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum	Gayathri
1981	Kaalam	Jaya
1981	Netri Kann	Menaka
1982	Om Shakti	Kanniamma / Amman
1982	Thooku Medai	Bhavani
1982	Nijangal	Menaka
1982	Iniyavale Vaa	Shakunthala
1982	Nirantharam	Rani
1982	Nalanthana	Raji
1982	Panchavarnam
1983	Neethibathi	Geetha
1983	Urangatha Ninaivugal	Uma
1985	Maappillai Singam	Gouri
1985	Engirunthalum Vazhga
1985	Kadivalam	Revathi
1986	Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren	Shakunthala
2012	Mattuthavani

==Telugu==

Year	Title	Role
class="wikitable sortable"
1980	Punnami Naagu	Poornima
1982	Subbarao ki kopam vacchindhi
1988 \|Indra Dhanussu \| \|

==Kannada==

Year	Title	Role	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
1984	Samayada Gombe	Lakshmi	Role of sister to Dr. Raj Kumar

=As producer=

Year	Title	Director	Notes
class="wikitable"
2022 \|Vaashi \|Vishnu G. Raghav \|
2009	Seetha Kalyanam	T. K. Rajeev Kumar \|starring Jayaram, Jyothika, Indrajith Sukumaran and Geethu Mohandas.{{Cite web\|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-malayalam-movie-review-seetha-kalyanam/20091109.htm\|title=Seetha Kalyanam disappoints\|first=Paresh C.\|last=Palicha\|website=rediff.com\|access-date=29 November 2021}}{{cite web\|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/sita-kalyanam-dont-attend-this/articleshow/21983153.cms\|title=Sita Kalyanam: Don't attend this\|website=bangaloremirror.com\|access-date=29 November 2021}}
2002	Kuberan	Sundar Das
2002	Shivam	Shaji Kailas
2001	Achaneyanenikkishtam	Suresh Krishna	Guest appearance by Mohanlal
2000	Pilots	Rajiv Anchal
2000	Cover Story	G. S. Vijayan
1997	Aaram Thamburan	Shaji Kailas
1995	Thakshashila	Sreekuttan
1994	Kashmeeram	Rajiv Anchal
1993	Butterflies	Rajiv Anchal
1992	Australia	Rajiv Anchal	Unreleased film
1991	Vishnulokam	Kamal

Television

All shows are in Malayalam unless noted otherwise

=Serials=

Year	Title	Role	Channel	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
1993	Scooter		DD Malayalam	\|
2005	Kaliveedu		Surya TV
2006	Ammathottil		Surya TV
2007	Chitrasalabham		Amrita TV
2007-2008	Ammakkayi		Surya TV
2009	Monoottante Onam		Surya TV	Telefilm
2013	Rajakumari	Durga Sivalingam	Sun TV	Tamil serial
2016	Sundari	Sethu Lakshmi	Mazhavil Manorama

=TV shows=

Year	Title	Channel	Role
class="wikitable sortable"
	Samagamam	Amrita TV	Herself
2010	Thillana Thillana	Surya TV	rowspan=5\|Judge
2011	Vivel Big break	Surya TV
2011	Hairomax Mrs.Kerala	Asianet
2012	Lunars Comedy Express	Asianet Plus
2013	Veruthe Alla Bharya 2	Mazhavil Manorama
2013	Travel to Kanchipuram	Manorama News	Host
2013	Varthaprabhatham	Asianet News	Herself
2013	Jeevitham Ithuvare	Jaihind TV	Herself
2013	Manassiloru Mazhavillu	Kairali TV	Herself
2014	JB Junction	Kairali TV	Herself
2017	Komady Circus	Mazhavil Manorama	Jury
2017	Onnum Onnum Moonu	Mazhavil Manorama	Herself
2018-2020	Comedy stars season 2	Asianet	rowspan=2\|Judge
2018	Comedy stars Plus	Asianet Plus
2021	Red Carpet	Amrita TV	Mentor
2022	MY G Flowers Oru Kodi	Flowers TV	Participant