Chitra Shenoy is an Indian actress and producer in South Indian movies and television series. She has acted in more than 600 films, predominantly in Kannada and Malayalam. She is known as the 'young mother' in the Kannada film industry having portrayed the role of a mother to almost all top stars in Kannada. In Malayalam she rose to fame with her role as Mammootty's mother in Rajamanikyam.
Chitra Shenoy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Hassan, Karnataka |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse |
Gurudas Shenoy (m. 1993) |
She became a house-hold name in Kerala playing the villainous mother-in-law character in the Malayalam serial Sthreedhanam. She owns the production company Good Company Productions.
Personal life
editShe was born in a Sankethi Brahmin family to M. K. Vinayak and Saraswathi, as the youngest of two children at Hassan. She has an elder sister, Jyothi.[2] She is a home science graduate.[3] She is married to Gurudas Shenoy, a Kannada Film & Television Producer. They have a daughter Kushi Shenoy. Gurudas & Chitra Shenoy together run two television production companies - Dakshin Videotech and Good Company Productions. She currently resides at Bangalore with her family.[4]
Filmography
editKannada films
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Mouna Horata | ||
| Aasegobba Meesegobba | |||
| 1993 | Sidukabeda Singari | ||
| 1999 | Chaitrade Chiguru | ||
| Hrudaya Hrudaya | |||
| Sneha | Vijay's mother | ||
| Premotsava | Sara | ||
| 2000 | Shrirasthu Shubhamasthu | ||
| Preethsu Thappenilla | |||
| Nan Hendthi Chennagidale | Sumi | ||
| O Nanna Nalle | |||
| 2001 | Nanna Preethiya Hudugi | Puttu's aunt | |
| Asura | Gayathri | ||
| Chitte | |||
| Jilhadhikari | |||
| Grama Devathe | |||
| Jodi | |||
| Mafia | |||
| Amma Ninna Tholinalli | |||
| 2002 | Balagalittu Olage Baa | ||
| Manasella Neene | Venu's mother | ||
| Law And Order | |||
| Ninagoskara | |||
| Ninne Preethisuve | |||
| Chandu | Vidya's mother | ||
| Ninagagi | Dr. Usha | ||
| Balagalittu Olage Baa | Gouri's mother | ||
| Roja | |||
| Love U | |||
| Prema Khaidi | |||
| 2003 | Dhumm | Preethi and Vinod's sister | |
| Pakka Chukka | Meena's mother | ||
| Khushi | Shashi's mother | ||
| Ondagona Baa | |||
| Daasa | |||
| Laali Haadu | |||
| Nanjundi | |||
| Dreams | |||
| Don | |||
| Sri Renukadevi | |||
| Dhad Dhad | |||
| Kasu Iddone Basu | |||
| Lankesh Patrike | |||
| Ramaswamy Krishnaswamy | |||
| Thayi Illada Thabbali | |||
| Preetisle Beku | Vishalu | ||
| Yardo Duddu Yellammana Jathre | |||
| Bangalore Bandh | |||
| 2004 | Y2K | ||
| Kalasipalya | Janaki | ||
| Rama Krishna | |||
| Nalla | Dr. Sharada | ||
| Darshan | |||
| Rowdy Aliya | Lakshmi | ||
| Hasina | Jhuleka Begum | ||
| Santhosha | |||
| Srusti | |||
| Pakkadmane Hudugi | |||
| Kanakambari | |||
| Monda | |||
| 2005 | Aham Premasmi | Apsara's mother | |
| Magic Ajji | |||
| Valmiki | Bharathi | ||
| Shastri | Kanaka's mother | ||
| Shambu | |||
| Hai Chinnu | |||
| Mental Manja | |||
| Anna Thangi | |||
| Love Story | |||
| Nenapirali | |||
| Boyfriend | |||
| Namma Basava | |||
| Thunta | Priya's sister-in-law | ||
| Gowramma | |||
| Jootata | |||
| Encounter Dayanayak | |||
| Ayya | |||
| 2006 | Hatavadi | Balu's neighbour | |
| Ambi | |||
| Julie | Margaret | ||
| Aishwarya | Aishwarya's mother | ||
| Hubli | Ajay Kumar Sir Nayak's mother | ||
| Uppi Dada M.B.B.S. | |||
| Neenello Naanalle | Janaki | ||
| Dattha | |||
| Mandya | Bhadrayya's wife | ||
| Thangigagi | |||
| Thandege Thakka Maga | |||
| O Priyathama | Ratna | ||
| Eesha | |||
| Thavarina Siri | |||
| Good Luck | Mandakini's mother | ||
| 2007 | Poojari | ||
| Prarambha | Lady at house | Cameo appearance | |
| Sixer | |||
| Gunavantha | Padma | ||
| Sajani | |||
| No 73, Shanthi Nivasa | Shobha | ||
| Ugadi | |||
| Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla | |||
| Preethigaagi | |||
| Masti | |||
| 2008 | Gaja | ||
| Anthu Inthu Preethi Banthu | |||
| Kodagana Koli Nungitha | |||
| Ganga Kaveri | Kaveri's mother | ||
| Baa Bega Chandamama | |||
| Paramesha Panwala | |||
| Hani Hani | |||
| Honganasu | |||
| Shivani | |||
| Moggina Manasu | Rahul's mother | ||
| Payana | |||
| 2009 | Nam Yajamanru | ||
| Love Guru | |||
| Raam | |||
| Rajani | |||
| Iniya | |||
| Bellary Naga | |||
| Venki | |||
| Abhimani | |||
| Yogi | |||
| 2010 | Sihigali | ||
| School Master | |||
| Porki | |||
| Shourya | |||
| Gandedhe | |||
| Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu | Sharada | ||
| Hoo | |||
| Kunidu Kunidu Bare | |||
| Hrudayadali Idenidu | |||
| Bisile | |||
| Huli | |||
| 2011 | Take It Easy | ||
| Kempe Gowda | Kempe Gowda's mother | ||
| Sri Naga Shakthi | |||
| Naliyona Baara | |||
| Sogasugara | |||
| 2012 | Kanchana | ||
| Dandupalya | Susheela's mother | ||
| Jeevana Jok-alli | |||
| Toofan | |||
| Saniha | |||
| AK 56 | |||
| Chaarulatha | Dubbing Artist for Seetha | ||
| 2013 | Bulbul | Vijay's mother | |
| Nenapinangala | |||
| Varadhanayaka | Siri's mother | ||
| Kotlallappo Kai | |||
| 2014 | O Manase | ||
| Maanikya | Rathna | ||
| Power | |||
| Pandya | Rathna | ||
| 2015 | Bangalore Metro | ||
| Fading Red | Shylaja | ||
| Aamanthrana | |||
| Ring Road | Mother | ||
| Rathaavara | |||
| Rudra Tandava | |||
| Buguri | |||
| 2016 | Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole | Kushi's mother | |
| Kalpana 2 | |||
| Bhujanga | |||
| Lakshmana | |||
| Viraat | |||
| John Jani Janardhan | |||
| Whatsupp Love | |||
| Jigarthanda | |||
| Akshathe | |||
| 2017 | Chitta Chanchala | ||
| Raajakumara | Gayatri | ||
| Rajasimha | Sharada | ||
| Tarak | |||
| 2018 | Shivu Paru | Lakshmi | |
| 2019 | Akhaada | Only dubbed versions released[5] | |
| Adyaksha in America | |||
| Odeya | |||
| 2023 | Tagaru Palya | ||
| Sheela | Simultaneously shot in Malayalam[6] | ||
| 2025 | Marutha † | [7] | |
Malayalam films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Raajamanikyam | Muthulakshmi Ammal | |
| 2006 | The Don | Baba's wife | |
| 2007 | Ali Bhai | Anwar Ali's mother | |
| Rock & Roll | Daya's mother | ||
| 2008 | Calcutta News | Ajith's mother | |
| 2009 | Samastha Keralam PO | Saraswathi | |
| 2012 | Father's Day | Dr. Elizabeth Thomas | |
| Best Wishes | |||
| 2013 | Orissa | ||
| Kaanchi | Ammalu Amma | ||
| 2015 | Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare | Injakkadu Rukminiyamma | Cameo Appearance |
| 2016 | Kavi Uddheshichathu..? | Soosamma | |
| 2023 | Sheela | Simultaneously shot in Kannada[6] | |
| 2024 | Porattu Nadakam | Lalithambal | [8] |
Telugu films
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Naidu LLB | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Kantri Mogudu | Telugu | |
| 2018 | 2 Friends | Telugu | |
Tamil films
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kadhale En Kadhale | Saradha | Tamil |
| 2007 | Muruga | Amudha's mother | Tamil |
| 2010 | Nagaram | Bharathi's mother | Tamil |
Other language films
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Rickshaw Driver | Tulu | |
| 2014 | Mr Joe B. Carvalho | Sundari Karla | Hindi |
Television
editAs actress
edit| Year | Serial | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO.55 | DD Chandana | Kannada | |||
| Bhagya | |||||
| Mane | |||||
| Mane Kathe | |||||
| Sahana | |||||
| Anuraga | |||||
| 1995 | Mukhamukhi | ||||
| 1996 | Itihaas | DD National | Hindi | ||
| 1996 | "Chauraaha" | DD National | Hindi | by Sridhar Kshirasagar | |
| 1998 | Mayamruga | DD Chandana | Kannada | ||
| 1998 | Jwalamukhi | Udaya TV | Kannada | ||
| 2000 | "Antaraal" | Star Plus | Hindi | by Girish Karnad | |
| 2002 | Gupta Gamini | E TV | Kannada | ||
| 2009-2011 | Maharani | Prakash's mother | Vijay TV | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Gaandhaari | Jaihind TV | Malayalam | ||
| 2012 | Decent Family | Jaihind TV | Malayalam | ||
| 2012-2016 | Sthreedhanam | Palat Sethulakshmi | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2013 | Achante Makkal | Surya TV | Malayalam | ||
| 2013 | Karpoorada Gombe | Kaveri | Star Suvarna | Kannada | |
| 2014 | Swathi Muthu | Star Suvarna | Kannada | ||
| 2017-2019 | Padmavathi | Colors Kannada | Kannada | ||
| 2018-2020 | Ponnukku Thangamanassu | Sethulakshmi | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2019-2021 | Pournami Thinkal | Rajalekshmi / Sethulakshmi | Asianet | Malayalam | Also Producer |
| 2023–Present | Amruthadhare | Mandakini | Zee Kannada | Kannada | [9] |
As producer
edit| Year | Serial | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 | Pournamithinkal | Asianet | Malayalam | Also actor |
| 2020–2024 | Kudumbavilakku | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2023–2024 | Kaathodu Kaathoram | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2024–2025 | Nooru Janmaku | Colors Kannada | Kannada | [10] |
| 2025–present | Durga | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | [11] |
Awards
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2021) |
- Won
- Film Fans Best Supporting Actress Award-1999 from Chennai for the film "Chaitrada Chiguru".
- Sir.M.Visvesvaraya National Mahila Sreeratna Award-2000 at Mantralayam.
- Arybhatta Award as a producer for “Kshamaya Dharithtri”
- Asianet television award for Most popular actress 2013
- Asianet television award for Best Character actress (Special Jury mention) 2014
- Asianet television award for Most popular actress 2015
- Nominated
Reality shows
edit- Munch Stars (Asianet)
- Ningalkkumakam Kodeeswaran (Asianet)
- Sell Me The Answer (Asianet)
- Badai Bungalow (Asianet)
- Kumkumam (Kairali TV)
References
edit- ↑ Srinivas, Srikanth (17 August 2003). "Glamourous [sic] screen mother". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 28 May 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Chithra Shenoy shines | Bengaluru News - Times of India". The Times of India. 28 May 2001.
- ↑ "Winning accolades - The Hindu". The Hindu. 22 May 2014.
- ↑ "Edakku (2021) Vijay Sethupathi, Exclusive Worldwide | Tamil Dubbed Full Rowdy Action Movie | 4K FILM". YouTube. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- 1 2 "Ragini Dwivedi's bilingual film 'Sheela' set for a July end release". The New Indian Express. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "It's a wrap for S Narayan's Marutha". The New Indian Express. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (14 July 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Porattu Naadakam gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ↑ "New soap opera Amruthadhaare to premiere on Monday". The Times of India. 27 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ↑ "Kannada Serial: ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಧಾರಾವಾಹಿ ದಿಢೀರ್ ಮುಕ್ತಾಯ! ತಾರೆಯರು ಭಾವುಕ!". News18. 6 July 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Durga Zee Keralam Serial Actors and Characters, Jagaddhatri Remade in Malayalam". Kerala TV. Retrieved 19 November 2025.