Menaka – South Indian Film Actress with a glorious career in Malayalam cinema in the 1980s

Menaka Suresh, better known as Menaka is a former south Indian actress, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. Known for her beauty and elegance in acting, she had a short but glorious career in Malayalam cinema during 1980–86, and owns many hit films to credit. Shankar-Menaka was the most celebrated pair of Malayalam cinema in the 1980s, which gave a new face to romance on screen. She quit acting in 1987 at the peak of her career after her marriage with Malayalam film producer Suresh Kumar. National award winning actress Keerthy Suresh is her second daughter. Currently she co-produces films and TV shows with her husband under the banner, Revathy Kalamandhir.

Menaka was born in Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu into a conservative Tamil Brahmin Iyengar family in 1963. She marked her screen debut through 1980 Tamil movie, Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta. Same year she made her Malayalam screen debut through National award winning movie, Oppol, opposite Balan. K. Nair. Within a short interval of time, she got more film offers from Malayalam cinema, and her pairing with Shankar who was dotted to be the next superstar then, became the most celebrated pair on Malayalam screen.

Guha in 1981 was the first movie of Shankar-Menaka pair. Hit romantic movies like Ente Mohangal Poovaninju and Engane Nee Marakkum helped them to establish as the leading romantic pair. Muthodu Muthu, Ponnumkudathinu Pottu, Archana Aradhana, Oru Nokku Kaanan, Ayalvaasi Oru Daridravasi, Amme Narayana, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Onnaam Maanam Poomaanam, Parayanum Vayya Parayathirikkanum Vayya, Saundharya Pinakkam etc are a few more. Actor Mohanlal worked in many of those movies, often completing a love triangle. Engane Nee Marakkum and Poochakkoru Mookkuthi are among those instances. Mohanlal played Shankar’s friend in Ente Mohangal Poovaninju. Akkare ninnoru Maran, Chilanthivala, Appunni etc are a few more noted works.

Menaka has acted in quite a few Tamil movies, both in lead and supporting roles. Thooku Medai, Om Shakti, Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum, Savithri etc are a few among those. After marriage she retired from professional career and brought up her two daughters. She made a comeback to films after a hiatus of more than two decades through ‘Living Together’ in 2011. In between her movie, Chanakya Soothrangal got released. She shared screen space with Shankar after a long time in 2015 for Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum, where both played glorious film stars of yesterdays with amazing screen chemistry. It was an ode to their film career and celebrity status of 1980s.

Menaka – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. She owns many hit songs of 1980s to her credit, with Janaky singing several memorable songs like Moham Kondu Naam, Devadaru Poothu, Kannil Nee Thenmalaraay, Nananju Neriya Patturumaal etc. She also owns a few hits with Chithra like Akasha Megham and Oru Nokku Kaanan.

2. She met her future husband for the first time in the film sets of Ente Mohangal Poovaninju. During their first meeting, her co-star Shankar introduced Suresh Kumar to Menaka as his friend.

3. When she got engaged to Suresh Kumar during the peak time of her film career, her fans requested her through fan mails to marry her co-star Shankar, with whom she did maximum films.

4. Her fans always wanted her to marry actor Shankar, and many even believed that they were in love and destined to marry. People loved to see them together in public life. Most of her fan mails were regarding her love relationship with Shankar.

5. She earned fame through simple smile and natural looks, and she also earned fame for her next-door girl roles in Malayalam cinema. She mostly appeared in traditional saris and did village belle roles.

6. She appeared in a total of 116 films between 1980 and 1986, thus becoming one of the most sought Malayalam actresses for female and parallel lead roles.

7. Her husband has produced many hit films in Malayalam since 1980s – Aaram Thampuran, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi etc to name a few.

8. She got married at Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple, and settled at Thiruvananthapuram after marriage. She later moved to Chennai with family.

9. Her elder daughter is a VFX specialist who has previously worked in Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Film Production Company. Her younger daughter Keerthy Suresh is a successful actress, who follows her mother’s footsteps.

10. Her debut Malayalam film, Oppol gave National award for best actor for Balan. K. Nair and best child artist for Master Aravind.

11. After Shankar, she remained most successful with Mohanlal. She was also frequently paired with Ratheesh, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Soman, Mammootty etc.

12. She played Mohanlal’s heroine in Boeing Boeing, Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Kandu Kandarinju, Sesham Kazhchayil, Engane Nee Marakkum and Revathikkoru Paavakutti.

13. In 1980 she played titular role in Malayalam director Bharathan’s debut Tamil film, Savithri. Years later her daughter Keerthi Suresh portrayed film actress Savithri on screen through ‘Mahanati’ for which she won many accolades including National Film award for best actress.

14. Menaka can be compared to her contemporary Bollywood actress, Poonam Dhillon of 1980s. In terms of their screen presence, smile, beauty, elegance and selection of roles, they share several similarities.

Menaka – Top Malayalam Film Songs

1. Moham Kondu Naam from Shesham Kaazchayil

2. Aashada Meghangal Nizhalukal Erinju from Ente Mohangal Poovaninju

3. Nananju Neriya Patturumaal from Ente Mohangal Poovaninju

4. Devadaru Poothu from Engane Nee Marakkum

5. Sarathkala Sandhya from Engane Nee Marakkum

6. Akasha Maunam from Mynakam

7. Dhanumasa Katte Vaayo from Muthodu Muthu

8. Kannil Nee Thenmalarayi from Muthodu Muthu

9. Chandana Kuriyumay from Oru Nokku Kaanan

10. Hemanthamayi Ee Vediyil from Ponnum Kudathinum Pottu

11. Hemanta Geetam from Thalam Thettiya Thaarattu

12. Aagraham Oreyoru Aagraham from Aagraham