( Hridayam , Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey , Cee Car ) – Renowned for physical comedy and intense emotional depth.
Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress ( Kappela , 2020), National Film Award – Special Mention ( Kottukkaali , 2024) Defining Films: Kumbalangi Nights , Helen (2019), Kappela
Q: Who is the highest-paid Malayalam film actress? A: Manushi Chhillar is reportedly one of the highest-paid Malayalam film actresses. list of malayalam film actress verified
Known for her hyper-realistic, de-glamourized portrayals, Nimisha became the face of politically charged, socially relevant cinema, earning critical acclaim for her performance in the globally discussed The Great Indian Kitchen . Nazriya Nazim
: Known for her raw and realistic acting style, Nimisha won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for Oru Kuprasidha Payyan and Chola . Her performance in The Great Indian Kitchen garnered international praise. ( Hridayam , Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey
The Malayalam film industry, often referred to as Mollywood, is renowned for its focus on realistic storytelling and powerful performances. This list features some of the most verified, celebrated, and versatile actresses across different eras of Malayalam cinema.
A brilliant theater actor turned mainstream lead, Darshana’s satirical take on marital domestic abuse in Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey became a massive box-office hit, cementing her reputation as an actress who handles complex scripts with ease. Direct Summary Table: Verified Awards & Major Milestones Major National/State Awards Signature Character Role Sharada 1960s-1970s 3x National Film Award for Best Actress Vijaya ( Thulabharam ) Sheela 1960s-1970s 1x National Award, Multiple State Awards Karuthamma ( Chemmeen ) Shobana 1980s-1990s 2x National Film Award for Best Actress Ganga/Nagavalli ( Manichitrathazhu ) Urvashi 1980s-Present 1x National Award, 6x State Awards Snehalatha ( Thalayanamanthram ) Manju Warrier 1990s-Present 1x National (Special Mention), 5x State Awards Bhadra ( Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu ) Parvathy Thiruvothu 2000s-Present 1x National (Special Mention), 2x State Awards Sameera ( Take Off ) Nimisha Sajayan 2010s-Present 1x Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress The Wife ( The Great Indian Kitchen ) Anna Ben 2010s-Present 1x National (Special Mention), 1x State Award Helen ( Helen ) The Malayalam film industry, often referred to as
: Gaining critical and commercial acclaim in recent years, she is considered one of the brightest young talents in the industry.
Neram (2013), Ohm Shanthi Oshaana , Bangalore Days
: A true titan of the industry, Sheela holds a Guinness World Record alongside Prem Nazir for acting as the lead romantic pair in 107 films. She won the inaugural Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 1969 and later secured a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Akale (2004).
: Best Actress at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Kerala State Film Awards. Top 10 lead actress from Malayalam in 2019 - IMDb