Suhasini Biography

Born On: August 15, 1961

Born In: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Career: Actor, Film Director, Producer and Writer

Nationality: Indian

A multi-talented person and an all-rounder in the film arena, Suhasini proudly dons the cap of an ace actor, director, producer as well as writer. A National Award winner, this graceful actor has come a long way since her first movie ‘Nenjathai Killathe’. Suhasini, the wife of world-class director Mani Ratnam, is also an excellent make-up artist and hair stylist. A part of South Indian film fraternity for more than four decades, she has explored her talent to the maximum and is still coming up with new ideas as a story teller, to entertain her audience.

Early Childhood & Education

Born on India’s Independence Day i.e. 15th August, in the year 1961, Suhasini is the daughter of Charu Hasan, the elder brother of Kamal Hassan, who is also an actor by profession. She was born in Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. Suhasini graduated from the Madras Film Institute, being the first girl ever to do so. In the institute, she was trained as a costumer designer, hair stylist and cinematographer.

Film Career

An all-rounder, Suhasini made her acting debut with the Tamil movie ‘Nenjathai Killathe’ (1981). However, she did not restrict herself to one language only and went on to do movies in Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam as well. In 1983, she was introduced to Malayalam cinema, through Padmarajan's ‘Koodevide' (1983), which also featured Mammootty. Just five years old in the industry, Suhasini bagged the National Film Award for Best Actress in the year 1986, for her movie ‘Sindhu Bhairavi’, which was directed by K. Balachander.

‘Vaanaprastham’, which was nominated in the AFI Fest, also displayed Suhasini’s fine artistic talent. A multi-talented person, she wore the cap of a director, in 1996, for the movie ‘Indira’. She has also written screenplay for a number of movies, which include her directorial debut ‘Indira’ and also one of the most successful Bollywood flicks of 2008 - ‘Guru’. Along with G. Srinivasan and her husband Mani Ratnam, Suhasini also takes charge of their production company ‘Madras Talkies’.

Other Interests

Trained as a make-up artist and hair stylist, Suhasini has also explored her creativity in this front. She has styled various well-known actors, like Radhika, Radha, Vijayashanthi, Sumalatha and Ambika. It was Suhasini who was instrumental in getting Radhika to make a comeback on the 70mm screen, with the movie ‘Keladi Kanmani’. She had revived the actress and given her a complete make over.

Personal Life

Suhasini got married to the well known director Mani Ratnam in 1988. The couple has a son, Nandan, who was born in the year 1992. Nandan has authored a book called 'The Contours of Leninism'.

Filmography

1980: Nenjathai Killathe

1981: Palaivana Solai

1982: Manchupallaki, Aagaaya Gangai, Gopurangal Saayvathillai

1983: Magamaha Raju, Adaminte Variyellu, Koodevide?, Oru Indhiya Kanavu

1984: Inti Guttu, Challenge, Aarorumariyathe, Ente Upasana, Justice Chakravarthy, Mangamma Gari Manavadu, Manishiko Charithra, Thathamme Poocha Poocha

1985: Bandhana, Katha Ithu Vare, Sindhu Bhairavi, Bullet, Jackie, Swathi, Kongumudi

1986: Rakkuyilin Rajassadasil, Pranamam, Raakshasudu, Chantabbai, Kiraathakudu, Mr. Bharath, Muddula Manavaraalu, Sirivennela, Chantabbai, Sravanthi

1987: Manivatharile Aayiram Sivarathrikal, Aradhana, Dhoorathu Pacchai, Muddula Manavaraalu, Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Samsaaram Oka Chadarangam, Thene Manasulu, Samsaaram oka chadarangam, President Gaari Abbayi

1988:Marana Mrudangam, Manchi Donga, Aakhari Poratam, Dharmathin Thalaivan, En Bommukutty Ammavukku

1989: En Purushan Thaan Enakkum Mattum Thaan, Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam

1990: Muthina Haara

1993: Chinna Kannamma, Samooham, Vaarasudu

1994: Shubhalagnam

1997: Bharatheeyam, Amrutavarshini, Egire Paavurama

1998: Ooyala

1999: Vaanaprastham

2001: Theerthadanam, Nuvu Naku Nachav

2002: Nammal

2003: Stumble, Donga Ramudu & Party, Vaseegara

2004: Shock