Madhoo
Biography
Madhoo, born Madhoobala Raghunath Malini on 26 March 1969 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, is an Indian actress who works in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the 1992 film Roja and made her Hindi debut with Phool Aur Kaante (1991), followed by appearances in Yodha (1992) and Gentleman (1993). After a career break she returned in 2008 with the Hindi film Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha, taking supporting roles thereafter. She is a niece of actress Hema Malini, a maternal cousin of Esha Deol, and is married to industrialist Anand Shah. Early in her career she accepted a small role and enrolled in the Roshan acting school.
Career overview
Madhoo, born Madhoobala Raghunath on 26 March 1969 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian actress who has worked across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. She entered the film industry with a Hindi debut in Phool Aur Kaante (1991) and quickly gained wider recognition for her role in the 1992 Tamil political drama Roja. The same year she appeared in the Hindi action film Yodha, and in 1993 she featured in Gentleman, further establishing her presence in both North‑Indian and South‑Indian markets.
Following a period of reduced activity, Madhoo took a career break before returning to the screen in the late 2000s. She made a comeback with the Hindi‑language film Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha (2008) and has since taken on supporting roles in a variety of projects, including films and web series. Over the course of her career she has accumulated more than seventy credited performances, reflecting a sustained involvement in Indian cinema across multiple languages and formats.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
72 titles- Governor (2026) as Vandita
- Jagamae Sangeetham (2026)
- Chinna Chinna Aasai (2026) as Leela
- Kannappa (2025) as Pannaga
- Manorathangal (2024) as Mrs. Parekh
- Eagle (2024) as Gayatri Devi
- Kartam Bhugtam (2024) as Seema Amma / Laxmi Kota
- Game On (2024)
- Premadesam (2023) as Madhumathi
- Fireflies: Parth aur Jugnu (2023) as Ira Ranaut (Nani)
- Sweet Kaaram Coffee (2023) as Kaveri
- Shaakuntalam (2023) as Menaka
- Pearle Maaney Show (2022) as Self
- Repeat (2022)
- Khalli Balli (2022)
- Dejavu (2022)
- Raymo (2022)
- Thalaivii (2021) as V. N. Janaki Ramachandran
- Nail Polish (2021) as Shobha Bhusan
- College Kumar (2020) as Janaki
- Superstar Singer (2019) as Self
- Agni Devi (2019) as Shakuntala Devi
- Premier Padmini (2019) as Shruti
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Self
- Nannaku Prematho... (2016) as Divya's Mother
- Surya Vs Surya (2015) as Surya's Mother
- Ranna (2015) as Saraswathi
- Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014) as Vidhya
- Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha (2013) as Ananya's Mother (as Madhubala)
- Tell Me O Kkhuda (2011) as Geeta
- Love U... Mr. Kalakaar! (2011) as Vidya (Ritu's Aunt)
- Old Iss Gold (2007)
- Kachchi Sadak (2006) as Laxmi Devi
- Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2002) as Herself
- Devi (2002) as Goddess Durga
- Jaalsaaz (1999) as Shalaka
- Zulm-O-Sitam (1998)
- Ganesh (1998) as Divya
- Ustadon Ke Ustad (1998)
- Yeshwant (1997) as Ragini Lohar
- Iruvar (1997) as Cameo appearance in song Narumugaye
- Mere Sapno Ki Rani (1997) as Vandana Nehle
- Udaan (1997) as Madhu
- Mr. Romeo (1996) as Madhoo
- Panchalankurichi (1996)
- Diljale (1996) as Shabnam
- Mohini (1995) as Ragini
- Haathkadi (1995) as Rani
- Ravan Raaj: A True Story (1995) as Geeta
- Diya Aur Toofan (1995) as Asha
- Zaalim (1994) as Madhu
- Hum Hain Bemisaal (1994) as Marya
- Elaan (1994) as Mohini Sharma
- Janta Ki Adalat (1994) as Malathi
- Aavesham (1994)
- Prem Yog (1994) as Anita Sethi
- Senthamizh Selvan (1994) as Vaidegi
- Brahma (1994) as Chanda
- Puttinilla Mettinilla (1994)
- Gentleman (1993) as Susheela 'Susi'
- Allari Priyudu (1993) as Kavita Rani
- Pehchaan (1993) as Tina
- Annayya (1993) as Saraswati
- Roja (1992) as Roja
- Ottayal Pattalam (1992) as Gopika Varma / Indu
- Yoddha (1992) as Aswathi Menon
- Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992) as Arathi Menon
- Vaaname Ellai (1992) as Karpagam
- Azhagan (1991) as Swapna
- Phool Aur Kaante (1991) as Pooja
- Neelagiri (1991) as Anitha
- Family Business
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Madhoo best known for?
Madhoo is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Governor (2026), Blackhat (2015), The Kapil Sharma Show (2016), Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2002).
When and where was Madhoo born?
Madhoo was born on March 26, 1969 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.
How many credits does Madhoo have?
Madhoo has accumulated over 72 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1991 to 2026.
What is Madhoo's background in cinema and television?
Madhoo, born Madhoobala Raghunath Malini on 26 March 1969 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, is an Indian actress who works in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the 1992 film Roja and made her Hindi debut with Phool Aur Kaante (1991), followed by appearances in Yo...