Meena is a celebrated Indian actress known for her exceptional performances across multiple South Indian film industries. She has worked extensively in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile actresses of her time. With a career spanning over four decades, Meena has played a variety of roles, from child artist to leading lady and now a seasoned character actress.
In this article, we take a deep dive into Meena’s personal and professional journey, covering her age, height, weight, affairs, net worth, career highlights, and a comprehensive filmography.
Early Life Bio & Background
Meena was born on September 16, 1976, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She hails from a culturally diverse background, with her father, Durairaj, being Tamil, and her mother, Raj Mallika, from Kerala. From a young age, she exhibited a natural talent for acting, which led to her entry into the film industry as a child artist.
She pursued her education at Vidyodhaya School, Chennai, and later completed a Master’s degree in History from the University of Madras while continuing her film career.
Career Overview
Meena’s career can be divided into different phases, beginning as a child artist, transitioning into a leading heroine, and later evolving into a respected character actress.
1. Early Career as a Child Artist (1982-1989)
Meena made her acting debut as a child artist in the Tamil film Nenjangal (1982) alongside Sivaji Ganesan. She soon became a popular child actress, featuring in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi films.
2. Rise to Stardom as a Lead Actress (1990s)
The 1990s marked Meena’s transformation into one of the top heroines in South Indian cinema. She starred in multiple blockbusters across different industries, sharing screen space with leading actors such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, and Venkatesh.
Notable films from this era include:
- Tamil: Ejamaan (1993), Muthu (1995), Avvai Shanmugi (1996)
- Telugu: Chanti (1992), Sundarakanda (1992), Subha Lagnam (1994)
- Malayalam: Varnapakittu (1997), Olympiyan Anthony Adam (1999)
- Kannada: Swathi Kiranam (1992), Putnanja (1995)
3. Career in the 2000s
As she matured as an actress, Meena took on more nuanced and character-driven roles in films such as:
- Rhythm (2000, Tamil)
- Seetayya (2003, Telugu)
- Udayananu Tharam (2005, Malayalam)
- Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005, Tamil)
4. Comeback & Recent Works (2010-Present)
Meena made a strong comeback with Drishyam (2013), playing the role of Rani George opposite Mohanlal. The film was a massive hit, leading to remakes in multiple languages.
Her recent projects include:
- Drishyam 2 (2021, Malayalam)
- Annaatthe (2021, Tamil) – alongside Rajinikanth
- Bro Daddy (2022, Malayalam)
Personal Life
Meena married Vidyasagar, a Bengaluru-based software engineer, on July 12, 2009. The couple had a daughter, Nainika, who later debuted as a child artist in the film Theri (2016) alongside Vijay.
Unfortunately, Meena’s husband passed away in June 2022 due to health complications.
Meena’s Physical Attributes & Net Worth
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | 65 kg (143 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Net Worth | $8 Million (approx.) |
| Income Sources | Films, TV Shows, Brand Endorsements |
Filmography
Meena has worked in over 200 films across different languages. Below is a detailed list of her major films.
Key:
- † Denotes films that have not yet been released.
Child Artist Films (1982-1989)
| Year | Film Name | Character | Language |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | Kidnapped child | Tamil |
| 1982 | Enkeyo Ketta Kural | Meena | Tamil |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Priya | Tamil |
| 1983 | Sumangali | Doll-selling girl | Tamil |
| 1983 | Siripuram Monagadu | – | Telugu |
| 1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth | Rosy | Tamil |
| 1984 | Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha | Rajani | Malayalam |
| 1985 | Panneer Nadhigal | – | Tamil |
| 1986 | Penn Simham | – | Malayalam |
| 1986 | Sirivennela | – | Telugu |
Lead Actress Films (1990-2009)
| Year | Film Name | Character | Language |
| 1990 | Kartavyam | Karuna | Telugu |
| 1991 | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu | Seetha | Telugu |
| 1992 | Chanti | Nandini | Telugu |
| 1993 | Yejaman | Vaitheeswari Vaanavaraayan | Tamil |
| 1994 | Veera | Devayanai | Tamil |
| 1995 | Muthu | Ranganayaki | Tamil |
| 1996 | Avvai Shanmugi | Janaki | Tamil |
| 1997 | Varnapakittu | Sandra/Alina | Malayalam |
| 1998 | Ulavuthurai | Meena | Tamil |
| 1999 | Sneham Kosam | Prabhavathi | Telugu |
| 2000 | Rhythm | Chitra | Tamil |
| 2003 | Seetayya | Wife | Telugu |
| 2005 | Thavamai Thavamirundhu | – | Tamil |
Comeback & Recent Films (2010-Present)
| Year | Film Name | Character | Language |
| 2013 | Drishyam | Rani George | Malayalam |
| 2014 | Drushyam | Jyothi | Telugu |
| 2017 | Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol | Annyamma | Malayalam |
| 2020 | Shylock | Lakshmi Ayyanar | Malayalam |
| 2021 | Drishyam 2 | Rani George | Malayalam |
| 2021 | Annaatthe | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil |
| 2021 | Drushyam 2 | Jyothi | Telugu |
| 2022 | Bro Daddy | Annamma | Malayalam |
| 2024 | Aanandhapuram Diaries | Nandhini | Malayalam |
Television Career
Apart from films, Meena has also made her mark in television. She has hosted and judged several reality shows.
Notable TV shows:
- Kairasi Kudumbam – Host
- Jodi Number One – Judge
- Super Kudumbam – Judge
Awards & Recognition
Meena has won multiple prestigious awards throughout her career.
Major Awards:
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress – Ejamaan (1993), Muthu (1995)
- Nandi Award for Best Actress – Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (1991)
- Kalaimamani Award – Tamil Cinema
- Filmfare Award South – Multiple wins across different languages
Final Thoughts
Meena has built a legendary career in Indian cinema with unparalleled versatility. From playing child roles to becoming a leading lady and later a respected character artist, she continues to shine in the industry.
