Shweta Menon

Shweta Menon

Menon in 2011
Born Chandigarh, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actress, Model, TV Presenter
Years active 1991–present
Title Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 1994
Spouse(s) Sreevalsan Menon (m. 2011)
Children Sabaina Menon
Parent(s) Naranankutty, Sarada Menon
Relatives Anoop Menon (Cousin)
Awards Kerala State Film Awards
2009 – Best Actress
(Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha)
2011 – Best Actress
(Salt N' Pepper)

Shweta Menon is an Indian model, actress and television anchor. She has predominantly acted in Malayalam and Hindi language films, besides appearing in a number of Tamil productions.

Starting her career as an actress in Malayalam feature films in the early 1990s, she ventured into modeling and became noted, after participating and winning at several beauty pageants, which led to her debut in Bollywood. It was the film Ishq (1997 film) where she received notable attention as the sultry dancer for the song, 'Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai' featuring Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgan. Following appearances in over 30 Hindi films, in which she generally conveyed a glamorous image, her acting career took a turn by the mid-2000s, with her returning to Malayalam cinema and accepting substantial roles.[1] She received critical praise and several accolades including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her performances in Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009) and Salt N' Pepper (2011).

Early life

Menon hails from Valanchery in Malappuram district in Kerala, but was born at Chandigarh to Malayali parents Naranankutty and Sarada Menon. Her father served in the Indian Air Force while her mother remained a housewife. She studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, East Hill, Kozhikode.[2] Actor Anoop Menon is her cousin.[3]

Career

Films

She started her career as an actress in the Malayalam film Anaswaram (1991), directed by Jomon, playing the female lead opposite Mammootty, after which she focused on modeling.[2] She competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished third runner up behind Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Fransesca Hart.[2] She became the first Gladrags female super model in 1994 (Kelly Dorjee was the male super model) and then, Miss Asia Pacific semi-finalist in 1994 in Manila Cebu Island, Philippines.[2][4] She subsequently made her debut in Bollywood and appeared in over 30 films; some of her Bollywood films include Asoka (2001), Maqbool (2003) and Corporate (2006).

Menon returned to Malayalam in 2006 with Thantra and then went on to do famous Malayalam films such as Keerthi Chakra (2006) and the award-winning Paradesi. Her performance as Sarojini, a middle-class woman who fights against extreme odds, in Madhya Venal earned her a special mention by jury chairman Bahman Ghobadi, a famous Iranian director at the International Film Festival of Kerala. In 2010, she won the Kerala State Government's Best Actress for her portrayal of Cheeru, a village woman in the film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha directed by Ranjith. She won the Mathrubhumi-Amrita TV Special Jury Award and the Asianet Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the same film. In 2011, Shweta Menon starred in the remake of Rathinirvedam, playing the titular character, originally played by Jayabharathi. In the same year, she got the Kerala State Award for Salt N' Pepper.

In 2010, Menon approached a local court and the Women's Commission in Kerala after the distributor of her movie tied up with Musli Power, a sex stimulant drug, to jointly promote the movie. "Met with Women's Commission regarding the Kayam ad and they offered me full backing. Thank you all and I hope justice will be done," she tweeted.[5]

Television

Besides working in films, she has anchored several TV, stage and film awards shows. Menon rose to popularity after presenting the musical programme, Star Wars on Kairali TV in 2008.[6] She won the Asian Television Award for Best Anchor for the same program. In Hindi, she hosted the group band based show, Razzmatazz on Zee TV with actor Arshad Warsi.[7] The next television show she did was Dancing Queen in 2008 on Colors. In 2010, she anchored the Malayalam reality show, Honeymoon Travels on Surya TV. The show became an instant hit for Shwetha's accented Malayalam and her attempts to read from the original script without a formal learning in the language. Recently, she appeared as a contestant with her father in game show, Deal or No Deal on Surya TV. She was the anchor of the family-based reality show Veruthe Alla Bharya on Mazhavil Manorama.[8] She has participated in popular game show Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran on Asianet. She is currently running popular comedy reality show Minto Goal Comedy Stars on Asianet. She has acted in many advertisements. She is currently participating in popular reality show Star Challenge on Flowers TV.

Personal life

On 18 June 2011, she married Sreevalsan Menon, a native of Thrissur, who works in Mumbai. The ceremony took place at the Neythalappurath Sastha Ayappa temple, Valanchery, Kerala.[9] She had her first child, a daughter, Sabaina Menon on 27 September 2012, at 5.27 pm at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai. The delivery was recorded on camera as part of the film Kalimannu.

Controversies

Shwetha Menon was charged with insulting the Indian flag at a fashion show on 5 January 2004. The show was organized by NIFD at a resort, where Menon walked the ramp allegedly with the tricolour wrapped around her body.[10][11]

In 2011 she had filed a case against Kunnath Pharmaceuticals' managing director K.C. Abraham for misusing stills from her film Kayam for promoting their Ayurvedic aphrodisiac Musli Power Extra. The Ernakulam central police arrested Abraham.[12][13]

Shwetha allowed her delivery to be recorded for Blessy's film Kalimannu. The act was condemned for commercializing the most private affair of a woman by the Kerala Film Exhibitors.[14][15]

On 4 November 2013, she filed a case against N. Peethambara Kurup from the Indian national congress in a groping incident. Shweta later dropped her complaint against Kurup, saying the 71-year-old leader tendered a "personal apology" to her hours after she lodged the FIR against him.[16]

Accolades

Kerala State Film Award
Filmfare Awards South
South Indian International Movie Awards
Other Awards

Filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes
1991 Anaswaram Catherine Malayalam
1992 Welcome to Kodaikanal Kavitha Malayalam
Nakshthrakoodaram Nirmala S. Menon Malayalam
1993 Koushalam Sashikala Malayalam
1995 DeshaDrohulu Telugu
1997 Prithvi Lucky Hindi
Ishq Dancer Hindi Special appearance
1998 Bandhan Vaishali Hindi
2000 Shikari Tania Jacobs Hindi
Snegithiye Police Inspector Tamil
Sandhitha Velai Dancer Tamil Special appearance
2001 Asoka Nandaneshwari Hindi
Dubai Dancer Malayalam Special appearance
Anandam Dancer in song Telugu Special appearance
Kakkakuyil Dancer Malayalam Special appearance
2002 Kaaboo Dancer/Singer Hindi Special appearance
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Hindi
Vadh Hindi Cameo appearance
Annarth Khatun Hindi Cameo appearance
Ab Ke Baras Chembakam Hindi
2003 Koi Hai... Hindi
Tu Bal Bramhachari Main Hoon Kanya Kunwari Rani Hindi
Dhund: The Fog Tanya Khurana Hindi
Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye Sheela Hindi
88 Antop Hill Teesta Hindi
Kahan Ho Tum Santhali Hindi
Maqbool Mohini Hindi
Market Isha Hindi
Mission Mumbai Hindi
Hungama Hindi
2004 The Killer – Ek Qatil Hindi
Omkara Kannada Cameo appearance
Run Hindi
30 Days Paro/Shalu Hindi
Bazaar: Market of Love, Lust and Desire Hindi
Shikaar Rama Sahay Hindi
2005 Mera Yudh Hindi
Bad Friend Hindi
Vardi Hindi
Topless Hindi
Fresh Lime Hindi
Dhamkee Hindi
2006 Corporate Archana Hindi
Sandwich Maggie Hindi
Keerthi Chakra Human rights activist Malayalam
Pakal Latha Mohankumar Malayalam
Thanthra Swethamukhi Malayalam
2007 Raakilipattu Jayasree Malayalam
Nehlle Pe Dehlla Cameo (dancer/singer) Hindi
Aur Phir Ek Din Hindi
Paradesi Aamina Malayalam Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
Rock & Roll Meenakshi Malayalam Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
Abraham & Lincoln Malayalam
2008 Summer 2007 Hindi
Sadhu Miranda Tamil Special appearance
Laptop Mother Malayalam
Aakasha Gopuram Alice Malayalam
Samayam Manikyam Malayalam
2009 Kisse Pyaar Karoon Chameli / Julie Hindi
Naan Avanillai 2 Nisha Tamil
Madhya Venal Sarojini Malayalam Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha Cheeru Malayalam Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam
Jai Hind TV Award for Best Actress
World Malayali Association-Kairali TV Best Supporting Actress
Vanitha-Nippon Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Kerala Film Critics Award for Second Best Actress
Asianet Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
Amrita TVMathrubhumi Special Jury Award
Kerala Cafe Devi Malayalam segment "Aviraamam"
2010 Chase Hindi Cameo appearance
Pokkiri RajaDancer Malayalam Special appearance
Penpattanam Suhara Malayalam
Sadgamaya Jyothi Malayalam
T. D. Dasan Std. VI B Chandrika Malayalam
Valiyangadi Lakshmi Malayalam
Kadaksham Revathy Malayalam
2011 Kayam Thamara Malayalam
August 15 Dr. Farida Malayalam
City of God Liji Punnose Malayalam Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
Rathinirvedam Rathi Malayalam
Salt N' Pepper Maya Krishnan Malayalam Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
Rajanna Dorasanni Telugu
2012 Unnam Sereena Malayalam
Aravaan Rajaambaal Tamil Special appearance
Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty Sareena Malayalam Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam
No. 66 Madhura Bus Rita Mammen Malayalam
Ivan Megharoopan Maya Maheswari Malayalam
Ithra Mathram Sumithra Malayalam
Ozhimuri Kaliamma Malayalam SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam
Parudeesa Thresia Malayalam
Aakasmikam Anitha Malayalam
2013 Mumbai Police Doctor Malayalam
Kalimannu Meera Malayalam Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam
Careebeyans Catherine Malayalam
2014 100 Degree Celsius Nila Malayalam Also playback singer[23]
2015 Thunai Mudhalvar Thangamani Tamil [24]
Appavum Veenjum Dr.Nayana Malayalam
Rudrasimhasanam Umayamma Malayalam
Akeldamayile Pennu Agnes Malayalam [25]
Maayamalika Manikyam Malayalam
2016 Dhanayathra Vijila Malayalam
She Telugu Filming
2017 Inayathalam Tamil Filming

Television

YearProgram Role Language Channel Notes
2001Razzmatazz Co-host Hindi Zee TV with Arshad Warsi
2007Star Wars Host Malayalam Kairali TV Won, Asian Television Award for Best Anchor
2008-2009 Dancing Queen Contestant Hindi colors Winner
2009 Honeymoon Travels Host Malayalam Surya TV Replacing Lalu Alex
2011-2012Veruthe Alla Bharya Host Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama
2012Veruthe Alla Bharya Season 2 Host Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama Replaced by Rimi Tomy
2014Veruthe Alla Bharya Season 3 Host Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama
2015 Comedy Stars Season 2 Judge Malayalam Asianet
2015Star Challenge Participant Malayalam Flowers
2016-present Comedy stars Season 2 Judge Malayalam Asianet
2016-presentKatturumbuJudge Malayalam Flowers

References

  1. "Back to Mollywood". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 June 2006.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Shweta Menon Biography". Oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  3. "Shwetha Menon is the cousin of Anoop Menon". The Times of India. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  4. Divorce is like mercy killing: Bobby. Times of India (17 August 2007). Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  5. Shwetha Menon [menonshwetha] (6 December 2010). "Met with Womens' Commission regarding the Kayam ad and they offered me full backing. Thank you all and I hope justice will be done" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 March 2014 via Twitter.
  6. "Battle of the campuses". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 November 2007.
  7. "The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Television". Tribuneindia.com. 18 November 2001. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  8. Nagarajan, Saraswathy (24 November 2011). "All in the family". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  9. "Shwetha Menon enters wedlock". Times of India. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  10. "Court rejects Shweta Menon's anticipatory bail plea". Hindustan Times. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  11. "Model Shweta Menon appears before local court". Zee News. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  12. Galatta (7 May 2011). "Misuse of Shweta's stills: K.C. Abraham arrested". Yahoo News India. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  13. "Musli Power maker moves high court". The Times of India. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  14. "Swetha Menon's Kalimannu delivery scene sparks controversy". Times of AP. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  15. Smitha (26 November 2012). "Shweta Menon's Kalimannu in trouble!". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  16. "Actress Shweta Menon withdraws Molestation Charges against Congress MP". Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  17. "Two films share critics award". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 January 2010.
  18. Malayalam TV (11 February 2010). "Vanitha Film Awards 2009 Announced »". Keralatv.in. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  19. "Jai Hind film awards announced". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 July 2010.
  20. "Surya TV film awards announced". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 23 September 2010.
  21. "Shwetha named for Srividya Puraskaram – Malayalam Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  22. "Mammotty, Kavya Madhavan bag Asiavision awards". Emirates 24/7. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  23. I am a mad person and I like to work with mad people! – The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (13 August 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
  24. Shwetha Menon, Jayaram and Kadhal Sandhya join Bhagyaraj for Thunai Mudalvar – The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (20 June 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
  25. Suresh, Meera. (25 November 2014) Her Life,Her Woes. The New Indian Express. Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
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