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Shobana

Shobana

Actor · Born March 21, 1970 (56) · Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Shobana Chandrakumar mononymously known as Shobana , is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She was a popular lead actress in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films during the 1980s and 1990s. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances in the films Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2002). In 2006, the Government of India honored Shobana with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 21, 1970 (56)
From
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Works as
Actor
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 143 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 1% in 30 days

What are Shobana's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Morality
31%
Self
14%
Survival
9%
Ideas
3%
Society
2%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 7 · Dark 8

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 10 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 10 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 10
Hero
2 of 10
Shapeshifter
2 of 10
Herald
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
13
Romantic
5
Joyful
4
Dread
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Bittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet10
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Shobana's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

  • Eros Now17 titles

Subscription and free streaming for Shobana's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

143 credits, 22 with a MovieCove page.

  • Ramayana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Kaikesi

  • Coolie(2025)

    as Photo Appearance

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Thudarum(2025)

    as Lalitha Shanmughan

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Kalki 2898 AD(2024)

    as Mariam

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • #BFF (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • Varane Avashyamund (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Choreographer · as Neena

  • Kochadaiiyaan(2014)

    as Princess Yaaghavi Mahadevaki Devi

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Thira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Dr. Rohini Pranab

  • Podaa Podi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Veena

  • Ekadashy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Raavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Choreographer

  • Raavanan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Choreographer

  • Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Indu

  • Mere Baap Pehle Aap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Anuradha Teacher

  • A Little Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Sundar's mother

  • Apna Asmaan(2007)

    as Padmini Kumar

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Uma

  • Makalkku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Killeri

  • Mampazhakkalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Indira

  • Dance Like a Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Ratna Parekh

  • Mitr, My Friend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Lakshmi

  • Valliettan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Devi

  • Sradha(2000)

    as Suma

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Agnisaakshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Devaki

  • Swami Vivekananda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Dancer

  • Kalyana Kacheri(1997)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Superman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Nithya

  • Kaliyoonjal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gauri

  • Surya Putrulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Ragini

  • Thuraimugam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Rukkumani

  • Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Hitler(1996)

    as Gouri

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Rajaputhran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Minnaminuginum Minnukettu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Radhika Unnithan

  • Sindoora Rekha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Arundhathi

  • Mazhayethum Munpe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Uma Maheswari

  • Vishnu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Susanna Mathews

  • Minnaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Neena

  • Pakshe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Nandini Menon

  • Commissioner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Adv. Indu Kurup

  • Manathe Vellitheru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Merlin Fernandes

  • Thenmavin Kombath(1994)

    as Karthumbi

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Pavithram(1994)

    as Meera

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Manichitrathazhu(1993)

    as Ganga / Nagavalli

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Golanthara Vartha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Lekha

  • Nippu Ravva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Maya Mayooram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Bhadra

  • Kannayya Kittayya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Saroja

  • Rendilla Poojari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Radha

  • Meleparambil Aanveedu(1993)

    as Pavizham

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Rakshana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Padma

  • Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Indu

  • Pappayude Swantham Appoos(1992)

    as Bhama

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Asadhyulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Jyothi

  • Appula Appa Rao(1991)

    as Subba Laxmi

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Thalapathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as 'Subbu' Subbulakshmi

  • Rowdy Alludu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sita

  • Rowdy Gari Pellam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Anjali

  • Alludu Diddina Kapuram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sita

  • Ulladakkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Annie

  • Vasthuhara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Young Bhavani

  • Adayalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Malini

  • April 1st Vidudala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Bhuvaneswari

  • Kankettu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sujatha

  • Keechurallu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Minor Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Santhana Lakshmi

  • Penn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sathya Vaakku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Meena

  • Mallu Vetti Minor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Santhana Lakshmi

  • Enkitta Mothathe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Mallika

  • Iyer the Great (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Amala

  • Alludugaru(1990)

    as Kalyani

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Kalikkalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Annie

  • Neti Siddhartha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Jyothi

  • Nari Nari Naduma Murari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Shobha

  • Shivashankar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Girija

  • Sasneham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Saraswathy

  • Kokila (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Kokila

  • Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Geeta

  • Innale(1989)

    as Maya / Gouri

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Ponmana Selvan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Parvathi

  • Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Radha

  • Unni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Siva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Parvathy

  • Paattukku Oru Thalaivan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Shanthi

  • Charithram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Cicily

  • Dhwani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Devi

  • Vellanakalude Naadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Radha

  • Abhinandana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Rani

  • Mukthi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Rashika

  • Idhu Namma Aalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Banu

  • Aryan(1988)

    as Aswathy

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Janmandharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Sridevi

  • Rudraveena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Lalitha Sivajyoti

  • Aparan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Ambili

  • Vicharana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Anitha

  • Nalkkavala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sainu

  • Anantaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sumangali / Nalini

  • Ajeyudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Rekha

  • Kalam Mari Katha Mari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Thrimoorthulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Latha

  • Vrutham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Chilambu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Nadodikkattu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Radha

  • Ithrayum Kalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Savithri

  • Muvva Gopaludu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Krishnaveni

  • Rareeram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Meera

  • Padayani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Radha

  • Ee Kaikalil(1986)

    as Viji Balakrishnan

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Nyayavidhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Geetha

  • Udayam Padinjaru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Renu

  • Aayiram Kannukal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Anu

  • Abhayam Thedi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Miranda

  • Ente Entethu Mathram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ambili

  • Iniyum Kurukshetrum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Lekha

  • Kunjattakilikal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Usha

  • T. P. Balagopalan M.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Anitha

  • Aalorungi Arangorungi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Geetha

  • Meenamasathile Suryan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Revathi

  • Vikram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Radha

  • Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku(1986)

    as Indu

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Upaharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Maggi Fernadas

  • Yathra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Thulasi

  • Rangam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Chandrika/Chandramathi

  • Akkacheyude Kunjuvava (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Ayanam(1985)

    as Alice

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Azhiyatha Bandhangal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Geetha

  • Vasantha Sena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Merlyn

  • Giri Baale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Neelaveni

  • Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sharada

  • Anubandham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Vijayalakshmi

  • Thammil Thammil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Kavitha

  • Eeran Sandhya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Prabha

  • Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Avidathepole Ivideyum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sujatha

  • Marudhani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Marudhani

  • Enakkul Oruvan(1984)

    as Kalpana

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Alakadalinakkare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Daisy

  • Kanamarayathu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Subhadra

  • April Pathinettu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Ee Manohara Theeram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Anitha

  • Amar Prem(1972)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 143 titles, 142 of them dated from 1972 to 2025; peak year 2025.

Biggest box office

Kalki 2898 AD (2024)

$126M worldwide

Highest rated

Manichitrathazhu (1993)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Kalki 2898 AD (2024)

Film career

19722025

Peak 2025 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting141 of 143: 140 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stOther crew3 of 143: 2 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s63 · acting1990s55 · acting2000s11 · acting2010s6 · 4 acting · 2 crew2020s5 · 5 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 10% of 10 roles
8712

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Shobana's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 81st percentile, the median of all 22; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 73rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 22 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Kochadaiiyaan (2014)

87th percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Manichitrathazhu (1993)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 81/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 58. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Shobana work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shobana's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mohanlal shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers