Shobana
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1970-03-21
    • Born Place: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  • Also Known As:

    Shobhana, Sobhana, Shobana, ശോഭന, Shobana Chandrakumar, சோபனா, ஷோபனா

Shobana

Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970, Trivandrum, Kerala) is a preeminent Indian actress, Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and educator, celebrated for her profound artistry on stage and screen . A scion of the renowned Travancore Sisters—Padmini, Lalitha, and Ragini—she embarked on her dance training early, eventually studying under legends like Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam at Chennai’s Chidambaram Academy. Shobana made her cinematic debut in April 18 (1984), quickly establishing herself across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and even English films. She is best known for her National Award–winning performances in Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2001), marking her as one of South Indian cinema’s finest actresses . With over 230 films to her credit, her versatility shines—from psychological thrillers like Ulladakkam to commercial hits like Thalapathi and soulful dramas like Varane Avashyamund. In 1994, Shobana founded the Kalarpana dance school in Chennai, nurturing a generation of classical dancers through performances and festivals both in India and worldwide—including televised productions and shows before royalty abroad. Her extraordinary contributions earned her the Padma Shri (2006), Kalaimamani (2011), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s Kalaratna (2013), and recently the Padma Bhushan in 2025. A single mother by adoption, Shobana recently adopted daughter Anantha Narayani, embracing personal authenticity alongside her creative journey . Renowned for her grace, depth, and commitment, she remains a luminous presence in cinema and classical arts—a bridge between tradition and innovation.

Person History