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Shobana(I)

  • Actress
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Shobana
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer1:59
Thudarum (2025)
7 Videos
61 Photos
Shobana Chandrakumar, an eminent figure in the realm of Indian arts and cinema, is celebrated as a distinguished exponent of Bharatanatyam dance and a leading actress in South Indian motion pictures. Hailing from a Malayalam-speaking family in Kerala, India, Shobana has left an indelible mark on the film industry with her versatile performances.

With a prolific career spanning over four decades, Shobana has graced the silver screen in more than 200 movies across five languages. Her cinematic journey commenced with the Malayalam film "April 18" in 1984, directed by Balachandra Menon, where she took on a leading role. Noteworthy among her early works is her collaboration with Malayalam actor Mammootty in the film "Kanamarayathu" (1984).

Shobana's acting prowess garnered her acclaim, including the prestigious National Film Awards for Best Actress. In 1994, her captivating performance in Fazil's "Manichitrathazhu," alongside Mohanlal, earned her the first National Award. The accolades continued in 2001 with her role in the English language film "Mitr, My Friend," directed by Revathi, a close friend, philosopher, and guide to Shobana.

Beyond her cinematic achievements, Shobana is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, trained at the Chidambaram academy in Chennai under the tutelage of the legendary Chitra Visweswaran. Renowned for her Abhinaya, she showcased her dance prowess before the King and Queen of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Shobana's beauty and skilled execution of dance movements led many to hail her as the most beautiful South Indian actress of the 1980s and 1990s, often likening her to the curvaceous beauty of Indian sculptures. Apart from her contributions to the entertainment industry, she founded the Kalarpana school for classical Bharatanatyam dance in Chennai and initiated annual festivals across India.

Her involvement in Mani Ratnam's stage show, "Netru, Indru, Naalai," and her portrayal in the Telugu movie "Rudra Veena" (1988) alongside Chiranjeevi showcased her versatility as both a dancer and social reformer. Shobana's commitment to the arts earned her the prestigious Padma Shri title in January 2006, a testament to her significant contributions to both cinema and Bharatanatyam.
BornMarch 21, 1966
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    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMarch 21, 1966
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos61

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    + 56
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    Known for

    Suresh Gopi, Mohanlal, and Shobana in Manichithrathazhu (1993)
    Manichithrathazhu
    8.7
    • Ganga
    • Nagavalli
    • 1993
    Amitabh Bachchan, Shobana, Pasupathy, Saswata Chatterjee, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani in Kalki 2898 AD (2024)
    Kalki 2898 AD
    7.0
    • Mariam
    • 2024
    Suresh Gopi, Shobana, Dulquer Salmaan, and Kalyani Priyadarshan in Varane Avashyamund (2020)
    Varane Avashyamund
    6.9
    • Neena
    • 2020
    Shobana in Kokila (1989)
    Kokila
    6.7
    • Kokila
    • 1989

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Actress



    • Untitled Anoop Sathyan/Aashirvad Cinemas Project
      • Pre-production



    • Mohanlal in Thudarum (2025)
      Thudarum
      8.1
      • Lalitha
      • 2025
    • Amitabh Bachchan, Shobana, Pasupathy, Saswata Chatterjee, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani in Kalki 2898 AD (2024)
      Kalki 2898 AD
      7.0
      • Mariam
      • 2024
    • Suresh Gopi, Shobana, Dulquer Salmaan, and Kalyani Priyadarshan in Varane Avashyamund (2020)
      Varane Avashyamund
      6.9
      • Neena
      • 2020
    • Kochadaiiyaan (2014)
      Kochadaiiyaan
      6.2
      • Yaahavi
      • 2014
    • Shobana and Dhyan Sreenivasan in Thira (2013)
      Thira
      7.3
      • Rohini
      • 2013
    • Shobana, Silambarasan TR, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in Podaa Podi (2012)
      Podaa Podi
      5.5
      • Veena
      • 2012
    • Jagathy Sreekumar, Mohanlal, Vinayakan, Sumit Naval, and Jinu Joseph in Sagar Alias Jackie: Reloaded (2009)
      Sagar Alias Jackie: Reloaded
      5.4
      • Indu
      • 2009
    • Mere Baap Pehle Aap (2008)
      Mere Baap Pehle Aap
      5.5
      • Anuradha 'Anu' Joshi
      • 2008
    • Rajat Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher, and Shobana in Apna Asmaan (2007)
      Apna Asmaan
      6.1
      • Padmini Kumar
      • 2007
    • Mohan Babu, Vishnu Manchu, and Parvati Melton in Game (2006)
      Game
      4.4
      • Uma
      • 2006
    • Shobana in Makalkku (2005)
      Makalkku
      7.2
      • Killeri
      • 2005
    • Mohanlal and Shobana in Maampazhakkaalam (2004)
      Maampazhakkaalam
      4.5
      • Indira
      • 2004
    • Dance Like a Man (2004)
      Dance Like a Man
      7.3
      • Ratna Parekh (as Shobhana)
      • 2004
    • Mitr: My Friend (2002)
      Mitr: My Friend
      6.8
      • Lakshmi
      • 2002
    • Mammootty, Manoj K. Jayan, Kalabhavan Mani, Saikumar, Shobana, Siddique, Sudheesh, and Vijayakumar in Valliettan (2000)
      Valliettan
      6.6
      • Devi
      • 2000

    Videos7

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 1:59
    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer
    Trailer 1:20
    Trailer
    Trailer
    Trailer 1:20
    Trailer
    Thira (2013) Trailer
    Trailer 1:55
    Thira (2013) Trailer
    Sagar Alias Jackie: Reloaded (2009) malayalam Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Sagar Alias Jackie: Reloaded (2009) malayalam Trailer
    Poda Podi Trailer
    Trailer 1:35
    Poda Podi Trailer
    VARANE AVASHYAMUND Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    VARANE AVASHYAMUND Official Trailer

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Alternative names
      • Shobhana
    • Born
      • March 21, 1966
      • Kerala, India
    • Parents
      • Anandam Chandrakumar

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shobana was introduced to films by Hema Malini's mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, who spotted her while she was with her aunt, dancer-actress Padmini.
    • Quotes
      Having thorough knowledge and practice in classical dance is always a plus point for an actress.

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