Meena Durairaj, known professionally as Meena Sagar or simply Meena, born September 16, 1976, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian actress, playback singer, and television personality primarily known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. Born to a Tamil father, Durairaj, and a Malayali mother, Raj Mallika, from Kannur, Kerala, she was raised in a middle-class family in Chennai. She studied at Vidyodhya School, Chennai, but discontinued schooling after the 8th standard due to her busy acting schedule, later completing her 10th standard through private coaching and earning a Master’s in History from the University of Madras in 2006.
Meena began her career as a child artist in the Tamil film Nenjangal (1982) at age six, featuring alongside Sivaji Ganesan. She appeared in numerous films as a child, including Enkeyo Ketta Kural (1982) and Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984) with Rajinikanth, which marked a turning point for her popularity. Her other child roles include Tamil films like Thiruppam (1984), Ketti Melam (1985), Vasanthi (1988), Telugu films like Illalu Priyuralu (1984), Rendu Rella Aaru (1986), Sirivennela (1986), and Malayalam films like Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha (1984). She debuted as a lead actress in Telugu with Navayugam (1990) opposite Rajendra Prasad and rose to fame with Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (1991), winning a Nandi Award for Best Actress. Her Tamil lead debut was Oru Pudhiya Kadhai (1990), followed by a breakthrough as Solaiyamma in En Rasavin Manasile (1991), a blockbuster directed by Kasthuri Raja.
Meena became a leading actress in the 1990s, starring opposite superstars like Rajinikanth (Ejamaan, Veera, Muthu), Vijayakanth (Sethupathi IPS), Sarath Kumar (Nattamai), and Venkatesh (Chanti). Her notable films include Sandhwanam (1991, Malayalam), Avvai Shanmughi (1996, Tamil), Bharathi Kannamma (1997), Porkkaalam (1997), Rhythm (2000), Drishyam (2013, Malayalam), Drushyam (2014, Telugu), Annaatthe (2021, Tamil), and Bro (2023, Telugu). She debuted in Hindi with Deva Ek Rakshak (2019). Known for versatile roles, from homely characters to glamorous ones (Pellam Chepithe Vinali), she has won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, multiple Cinema Express Awards, and the Kalaimamani Award (1998).
A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Meena is also a playback singer, with songs like “Indru Intha Kalayil” (Muthu) and pop albums 16 Vayathinile (2001) and an unreleased Kadhalism with Vikram. She has dubbed for actresses like Padmapriya in Pokkisham (2009) and judged shows like Super Kutumbam (2014) and Bharthakkanmarude Sradhaku (2013). She hosted Houseful (2005, Jaya TV) and Nee Kongu Bangaram Ganu (2012, MAA TV).
Married to Bangalore-based businessman Vidyasagar on July 12, 2009, she has a daughter, Nainika Vidyasagar (born January 1, 2011), who debuted as a child artist in Theri (2016). Vidyasagar passed away on June 28, 2022, due to lung-related complications post-COVID-19. Meena clarified in 2023 that she is not remarrying, focusing on her daughter’s future. Standing at 5’6” and weighing around 60 kg, she is a non-smoker, non-vegetarian, and enjoys dancing and reading. net worth is estimated at ₹20-30 crore from acting, singing, and endorsements. In 2025, she is set to appear in Rowdy Baby (Tamil) and continues to be celebrated for her enduring career.
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