Shobana
Biography
Shobana Chandrakumar, known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She was born on March 21, 1970, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and hails from a Malayalam-speaking family. During the 1980s and 1990s, she was a popular lead actress in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, with additional work in Hindi and English. Shobana won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances in the films Manichitrathazhu in 1993 and Mitr, My Friend in 2002. In 2006, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts.
Career overview
Shobana Chandrakumar, known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. Born on March 21, 1970, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, she hails from a Malayalam-speaking family. During the 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as a popular lead actress in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, while also appearing in Hindi and English cinema. Her extensive career encompasses notable work across various traditions, ranging from commercial film to live theatre and music.
Throughout her acting career, Shobana has earned significant recognition for her performances. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, receiving the honor for her work in the 1993 film Manichitrathazhu and the 2002 film Mitr, My Friend. In acknowledgment of her contributions towards the arts, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri in 2006.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
143 titles- Ramayana (2026) as Kaikesi
- Coolie (2025) as Photo Appearance
- Thudarum (2025) as Lalitha Shanmughan
- Kalki 2898-AD (2024) as Mariam
- #BFF (2022)
- Varane Avashyamund (2020) as Neena
- Varane Avashyamund (2020) Choreographer
- Kochadaiiyaan (2014) as Princess Yaaghavi Mahadevaki Devi
- Thira (2013) as Dr. Rohini Pranab
- Podaa Podi (2012) as Veena
- Ekadashy (2011)
- Raavanan (2010) Choreographer
- Raavan (2010) Choreographer
- Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded (2009) as Indu
- Mere Baap Pehle Aap (2008) as Anuradha Teacher
- A Little Dream (2008) as Sundar's mother
- My Own Sky (2007) as Padmini Kumar
- Game (2006) as Uma
- Makalkku (2005) as Killeri
- Mampazhakkalam (2004) as Indira
- Dance Like a Man (2004) as Ratna Parekh
- Mitr, My Friend (2002) as Lakshmi
- Sradha (2000) as Suma
- Valliettan (2000) as Devi
- Agnisaakshi (1999) as Devaki
- Swami Vivekananda (1998) as Dancer
- Kaliyoonjal (1997) as Gauri
- Kalyana Kacheri (1997)
- Superman (1997) as Nithya
- Surya Putrulu (1997) as Ragini
- Hitler (1996) as Gouri
- Rajaputhran (1996)
- Thuraimugam (1996) as Rukkumani
- Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum (1996)
- Mazhayethum Munpe (1995) as Uma Maheswari
- Sindoora Rekha (1995) as Arundhathi
- Minnaminuginum Minnukettu (1995) as Radhika Unnithan
- Thenmavin Kombath (1994) as Karthumbi
- Vishnu (1994) as Susanna Mathews
- Pakshe (1994) as Nandini Menon
- Manathe Vellitheru (1994) as Merlin Fernandes
- Pavithram (1994) as Meera
- Minnaram (1994) as Neena
- Commissioner (1994) as Adv. Indu Kurup
- Kannayya Kittayya (1993) as Saroja
- Golanthara Vartha (1993) as Lekha
- Rakshana (1993) as Padma
- Manichitrathazhu (1993) as Ganga / Nagavalli
- Nippu Ravva (1993)
- Meleparambil Aanveedu (1993) as Pavizham
- Rendilla Poojari (1993) as Radha
- Maya Mayooram (1993) as Bhadra
- Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992) as Bhama
- Appula Appa Rao (1992) as Subba Laxmi
- Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam (1992) as Indu
- Asadhyulu (1992) as Jyothi
- Rowdy Gari Pellam (1991) as Anjali
- Adayalam (1991) as Malini
- Kankettu (1991) as Sujatha
- Minor Raja (1991) as Santhana Lakshmi
- April 1st Vidudala (1991) as Bhuvaneswari
- Vasthuhara (1991) as Young Bhavani
- Thalapathi (1991) as 'Subbu' Subbulakshmi
- Ulladakkam (1991) as Annie
- Rowdy Alludu (1991) as Sita
- Alludu Diddina Kapuram (1991) as Sita
- Keechurallu (1991)
- Kalikkalam (1990) as Annie
- Sasneham (1990) as Saraswathy
- Nari Nari Naduma Murari (1990) as Shobha
- Shivashankar (1990) as Girija
- Kokilam (1990) as Kokila
- Mallu Vetti Minor (1990) as Santhana Lakshmi
- Iyer the Great (1990) as Amala
- Neti Siddhartha (1990) as Jyothi
- Alludugaru (1990) as Kalyani
- Sathya Vaakku (1990) as Meena
- Enkitta Mothathe (1990) as Mallika
- Siva (1989) as Parvathy
- Innale (1989) as Maya / Gouri
- Unni (1989)
- Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai (1989) as Geeta
- Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa (1989) as Radha
- Paattukku Oru Thalaivan (1989) as Shanthi
- Charithram (1989) as Cicily
- Ponmana Selvan (1989) as Parvathi
- Vicharana (1988) as Anitha
- Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) as Radha
- Mukthi (1988) as Rashika
- Aryan (1988) as Aswathy
- Aparan (1988) as Ambili
- Idhu Namma Aalu (1988) as Banu
- Janmandharam (1988) as Sridevi
- Dhwani (1988) as Devi
- Rudraveena (1988) as Lalitha Sivajyoti
- Abhinandana (1988) as Rani
- Thrimoorthulu (1987) as Latha
- Kalam Mari Katha Mari (1987)
- Nalkkavala (1987) as Sainu
- Ithrayum Kalam (1987) as Savithri
- Chilambu (1987)
- Nadodikkattu (1987) as Radha
- Anantaram (1987) as Sumangali / Nalini
- Vrutham (1987)
- Muvva Gopaludu (1987) as Krishnaveni
- Ajeyudu (1987) as Rekha
- Aalorungi Arangorungi (1986) as Geetha
- Padayani (1986) as Radha
- Meenamasathile Suryan (1986) as Revathi
- Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku (1986) as Indu
- T. P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986) as Anitha
- Rareeram (1986) as Meera
- Ee Kaikalil (1986) as Viji Balakrishnan
- Abhayam Thedi (1986) as Miranda
- Kunjattakilikal (1986) as Usha
- Ente Entethu Mathram (1986) as Ambili
- Vikram (1986) as Radha
- Iniyum Kurukshetrum (1986) as Lekha
- Nyayavidhi (1986) as Geetha
- Aayiram Kannukal (1986) as Anu
- Udayam Padinjaru (1986) as Renu
- Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam (1985) as Sharada
- Anubandham (1985) as Vijayalakshmi
- Eeran Sandhya (1985) as Prabha
- Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram (1985)
- Vasantha Sena (1985) as Merlyn
- Upaharam (1985) as Maggi Fernadas
- Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985) as Geetha
- Thammil Thammil (1985) as Kavitha
- Marudhani (1985) as Marudhani
- Avidathepole Ivideyum (1985) as Sujatha
- Rangam (1985) as Chandrika/Chandramathi
- Giri Baale (1985) as Neelaveni
- Akkacheyude Kunjuvava (1985)
- Yathra (1985) as Thulasi
- Ayanam (1985) as Alice
- April Pathinettu (1984)
- Enakkul Oruvan (1984) as Kalpana
- Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove (1984) as Subhadra
- Alakadalinakkare (1984) as Daisy
- Kanamarayathu (1984)
- Ee Manohara Theeram (1978) as Anitha
- Amar Prem (1972)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shobana best known for?
Shobana is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Ramayana (2026), Thudarum (2025), Kalki 2898-AD (2024), Admiral Ushakov (1953).
When and where was Shobana born?
Shobana was born on March 21, 1970 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
How many credits does Shobana have?
Shobana has accumulated over 143 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1972 to 2026.
What is Shobana's background in cinema and television?
Shobana Chandrakumar, known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She was born on March 21, 1970, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and hails from a Malayalam-speaking family. During the 1980s and 1990s, she was a popular lead actress in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, w...
Shobana by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Aparan (1988) as Ambili — aged about 18
- Nadodikkattu (1987) as Radha — aged about 17
- Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) as Radha — aged about 18
- Thenmavin Kombath (1994) as Karthumbi — aged about 24
- Appula Appa Rao (1992) as Subba Laxmi — aged about 22
- T. P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986) as Anitha — aged about 16
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