Monisha Unni(24 January 1971 – 5 December 1992) was an Indian actress, known for her works inMalayalam,Tamil cinema.[1]
Monisha Unni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Monisha 24 January 1971 |
| Died | 5 December 1992(aged 21) |
| Alma mater | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
| Occupation(s) | Actress Classical Dancer |
| Years active | 1984–1992 |
| Known for | Nakhakshathangal Perumthachan Kamaladalam |
| Parent(s) | Narayanan Unni Sreedevi Unni |
Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive theNational Film Award for Best ActressforNakhakshathangal(1986), her debut feature film.[2]Along withSharada,Shobhana,Meera Jasmine,Surabhi LakshmiandShobha,Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress.[3][4]
In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such asM. T. Vasudevan Nair,Hariharan,Priyadarshan,Ajayan,KamalandSibi Malayil.[5]
Early life
editMonisha Unni was born inPanniyankara,Kozhikodein 1971 to Narayanan Unni andSreedevi Unni.[6]She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore andBishop Cotton Girls School,Bangalore. She completed her graduation in psychology atMount Carmel College, Bangalore.[7]She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni.[8]
Death
editMonisha Unni was working on the Malayalam filmCheppadividyawhen she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother Sreedevi Unni met with an accident in Cherthala X Ray Junction of Alappuzha district of Kerala. She was just 21. Monisha was sleeping on the back seat when the accident occurred. Her mother, Sreedevi was thrown out of the car, but escaped with bruises and fractures. Monisha, however, died within minutes due tocervical fracture.Reports said Monisha was bleeding through her nose and ears. Although she was taken to the nearby hospital, she had died. The driver of their Ambassador car too died in the freak accident.[3][9]
Career
editMalayalam novelistM. T. Vasudevan Nair,who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M. T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into films. She made her debut inNakhakshathangal(1986), which was written by M. T. and directed byHariharan.The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, won her theNational Film Award for Best Actressin 1987.[7][10]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Paavayya | Tamil | A 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan (based on "Vilaivu", a short story by K. I. Rajanarayanan) | |
| 1986 | Nakhakshathangal | Gowri | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1986 | Rithubhedam | Thankamani | Malayalam | |
| 1986 | Sayam Sandhya | Vinumol | Malayalam | |
| 1987 | Pookkal Vidum Thudhu | Gowri | Tamil | |
| 1987 | Lawyer Bharathi Devi | Leela | Telugu | |
| 1988 | Aryan | Sainabha | Malayalam | |
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Sandhya, Sarala (Twin Role) | Kannada | |
| 1988 | Kanakambarangal | Sreedevi | Malayalam | |
| 1989 | Dravidan | Salma | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Adhipan | Geetha | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom | Sathi | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Veena Meettiya Vilangukal | Sridevi | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Perumthachan | Kunhikkavu Thamburatti | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Kaazhchakkappuram | Ammu | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Venal Kinavukal | Nalini | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Kadavu | Devi | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | Dhanam | Tamil | |
| 1992 | Thalastaanam | Radha | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam | Viji | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Kudumbasametham | Thulasi | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Kamaladalam | Malavika | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Champakulam Thachan | Ammu | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Cheppadividya | Elsa | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | Priya | Tamil |
References
edit- ^"വീണ്ടും ഞാന് തനിച്ചായി | mangalam.com".Archivedfrom the original on 3 December 2013.Retrieved29 November2013.
- ^"Remembering actress Monisha Unni on her 29th death anniversary".The Times of India.5 December 2021.Retrieved5 December2022.
- ^ab"Losing her wish, she turned to dance – the Hindu".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 30 November 2013.Retrieved18 November2013.
- ^"Remembering Monisha Unni – the Hindu".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 15 April 2014.Retrieved14 April2014.
- ^"Manorama Online | Movies | Nostalgia |".Archivedfrom the original on 3 December 2013.Retrieved26 November2013.
- ^"Remembering 'Manjal Prasadam Nettiyil Charthiya' girl Monisha Unni on her death anniversary – Times of India".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2019.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^abWeblokam Profile of MonishaArchived2 April 2007 at theWayback Machine.Weblokam.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-20.
- ^"മോനിഷയുടെ കഥ | mangalam.com".Archivedfrom the original on 5 December 2013.Retrieved28 December2013.
- ^"Actors, writers remember actress Monisha on her 30th death anniversary".Onmanorama.Retrieved28 February2024.
- ^"Unforeseen Tragedies: Monisha, Balabhaskar, Jayan and now, Kollam Sudhi".English.Mathrubhumi.6 June 2023.Retrieved28 February2024.