Versatile actress Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai, popularly called as Shobana turned 52 today. She established herself as a leading actress in 1980s and 1990s. The national award-winning actress has created a special place in the hearts of audience, especially Keralites for her brilliant acting skills and dancing.
In 2020, she made her comeback to Mollywood after 7 long years with the movie ‘Varane Avashyamund’. She founded a dance school Kalarpana Institute of Bharatanatyam in Chennai.
Shobana won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). In 2006, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts.
In 2014, the Kerala State Government honoured her with the Kala Ratna Award. In 2019, she was bestowed an honorary doctorate from Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute.
Her major films include Rudraveena (1988), Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu, Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove, Yathra(1985), Anantaram, Nadodikkattu (1987), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), Siva (1989), Innale (1990), Kalikkalam (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992), Manichitrathazhu (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Minnaram (1994), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Hitler (1996),Agni Sakshi (1999), Dance like a Man (2003), Makalkku (2005), Thira (2013) and Varane Avashyamund (2020).
