Seema is a famous actress of South Indian films. She has performed in approximately 250 films in Malayalam, nine in Tamil, seven in Telugu, three in Kannada and one in Hindi. Seema is still active in the movie industry.
She began her career in Tamil film at the age of fourteen as a dancer. About five years she continued as a dancer. At the age of 19 her first movie, as heroine, is released in Malayalam titled Avalude Raavukal (Her Nights), directed by I. V. Sasi. She continued acting till 1988 and took a break in her career life after the Malayalam movie Mahayaanam. Again became active in 1998 through Olympion Antony Adam. Seema won the Kerala State Film Award for best actress in 1984 and in 1985, and is well known for her versatility. She married I.V. Sasi, the veteran South Indian director and is blessed with a daughter and son.
Seema born in Eranakulam, Kerala in 1957 as the only child of her parents. At the age of twelve she joined to learn dance and learned many dancing steps from Kamal Hassan, who was the assistant of her dance master, Thankappan.
She entered in to film work as a normal group dancer, under dance master Chopra when she was at fourteen. Later she became up to the level of dance master and worked in film industry as composer also as dancer around five years of time. Meanwhile at the age of 17 she was asked to act in a Kannada movie as a second heroine with Kannada actor Amresh. I. V. Sasi spotted her and given the chance to act in his film "Avalude Raavukal" (literal translation: Her Nights)as heroine. The shooting of this movie started on 1977 and released on 3 March 1978. The classic movie with Sherif's script and I. V. Sasi's direction, created waves in the Malayalm audience because of its soft porn nature and the challenging subject. The name Shanthi changed to Seema through this movie. The very daring and challenging role that any other actresses were reluctant to do has been done by Seema, helped her to get noticed by other directors. But the movie gave sexy and glamorous image to the actress, and audiences were always expecting such kind of roles from her. She became the heartthrob of the Malayalam film industry and got noticed by other directors.
During that time the Malayalm film industry was ruled by yesteryear's actresses Sheela, Sharada, Jayabharathi, K. R. Vijaya, and Srividya. Seema received roles from many directors, but most of them were the glamorous with exposing type, or as a second heroine always behind the shadows of others. She accepted all kind of roles and gave confidence to directors that any kind of role was safe in her hands. But the situation changed when her movies with Super Star Jayan became mega hits. The Jayan and Seema pair attracted people to theatres. This made her an independent heroine of the movies. Angaadi, Kaanthavalayam, Sakthi, Manushyamrugam, Bens Vasu, Meen, Karimpana, Thadavara, and Anupallavi are some of Jayan-Seema Hit movies. Though she became a lead heroine still she could lose her glamorous image. Mini skirts and swimsuits were always part of her costumes. The hit pair could not endure for a long time, the unexpected demise of Jayan was a great loss for the industry and the most loved and accepted pair ended.
Directors wanted to find another star to fill the gap left by Jayan. Many movies were planned for Jayan, one such a movie was "Sphodanam" directed by P. G. Viswambaran. He gave the chance to Mammooty to take the role of Jayan, in the same movie in which Seema also acted. Later Ratheesh came, also paired with Seema. Seema continued her acting paired with them.
A novel from popular magazine "Vanitha" was decided to take as a movie by the director P. G. Viswambharan, who chosen Seema as Dr. Bala, though the readers selected Lakshmi for the same. Director was very confident about Seema and movie is released with name "Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu" with Mammootty as a negative hero and Mohanlal as the villain. The movie was a super hit and it changed Seema's image. Seema was noticed as a heroine to handle character type roles and she received many serious, female oriented and good characters of Malayalam Cinema. The Mammooty-Seema pair become very popular through this movie. Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu, Naanayam, Sandhyakkenthinu Sindhooram, Rugma, Onnanu Nammal, Maniyara, Manithaali, Aa neram Alpadooram, Akshrangal, Aalkoottathil thaniye, Athiraathram, Anubandham, Adiyozhukkukal, Idanilangal, Kaanamarayathu, Gandhinagar Second Street, Karimbin Poovinakkare, and Mahaayaanam are some of the hit movies. Seema proved her versatility through all these movies.
Seema done many characters of veteran writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair. This itself is a great award for her. Her versatality given all sort of roles, if she acted as a bold heroine who driven car in a stunt scene of movie "Naanayam", the same year she had acted as a pathetic mother in "Rugma". She has done comedy in "Ayalvasi oru Daridravasi" and she has done villain role in "Oru Sumangaliyude Kadha". She performed as a jobless widow with a kid in Anubandham, the same time portraying a revenging widow as in "Athiraathram". The Malayalam movie industry never had seen such a verstaile heroine. She is well known for her emotional scenes. Her dialogue presentation and different face expressions are noticeable.
Her heroes include most or all heroes of Malayalm movie from 1978 to 1988. She paired more movies with Mammootty, Jayan and Ratheesh. Also well done with Prem Nazir, Madhu, Kamal Hassan, Raghavan, Ravi Menon, Sukumaran, M. G. Soman, Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Captain Raju, Devan, Jose, Venu Nagavalli, Balachandra Menon, and T. G. Ravi.
It is difficult to include all her co-actresses but she has worked with Sharada, Sheela, Jayabharathi, Sreevidya, Sukumari, KR Vijaya, Vidhubala, Kanaka Durga, Mallika Sukumaran, Meena, Kaviyoor Ponnamma of 1970s Suhasini, Rajalekshmi, Swapna, Oorvasi, Geetha,Nalini, Sabitha, Jalalja, Unnimeri, Subha, Sumithra, Shobhana, Nanditha Bose, Surekha, Parvathy, Ambika, Radha, Kalaranjini,Chithra, Sithara, Lakshmi, Lizi, Karthika, Poornima Jayaram, Menaka, Ahalya,Rani Padmini,Saritha, Farah, Shobhana, Rohini of the 1980s; in the 1990s and the 2000s she acted with Abhirami, Meena, Manisha Koirala, and Soundarya.
Of all of these, Sreevidya shared a special affection with her. Seema used to call her Vidya Chechi. Sreevidya helped Seema discover the nuances in make-up and hair styles. Seema had mentioned that Sreevidya would personally sit up and plait Seema's long hair whenever they acted or travelled together for a shooting.
She worked with many directors like I.V. Sasi, Sasikumar, P. G. Viswambaran, Priyadarsan, Sathyan Anthikkad, Joshi, Sibi Malayil etc. With I.V. Sasi she has done 59 films as heroine, and with Sasikumar she done 29 movies as heroine. It is unusual and maybe a record that an actress worked as heroine of 59 movies of a single director.
Seema has a very beautiful, lovely and sexy voice in her movies. This credit goes to her favourite dubbing artist, the late Mrs. Kottayam Shantha who has given voice to Seema's characters. Until 1988, with the exception of two movies, Avalude Raavukal and Adavukal Pathinettu, all Seema's characters were dubbed by Kottayam Shantha. Seema, while signing a call sheet herself requested that the directors use Kottayam Shantha's voice. That voice is really suitable to her, especially with her lip movements. That sound is nurtured for Seema, though Kottayam Shantha dubbed for other actresses like Lakshmi, Swapna, and Sumalatha.
| Movie |
Year |
Producer |
Director |
| Achante Bhaarya |
1971 |
KS Sabarinathan |
Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair |
| Nrithasaala |
1972 |
Sobhana Parameswaran Nair |
AB Raj |
| Dheerasameere Yamunaatheere |
1977 |
M Mani |
Madhu |
| Nizhale Nee Sakshi |
1977 U |
BP Moideen |
P Gopikumar |
| Vilakkum Velichavum |
1978 |
S Pavamani |
P Bhaskaran |
| Adavukal Pathinettu |
1978 |
CV Hariharan,RS Prabhu |
Vijayanand |
| Urakkam Varaatha Raathrikal |
1978 |
M Mani |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Njaan Njaan Maathram |
1978 |
MO Joseph |
IV Sasi |
| Soothrakkaari |
1978 |
Augustine Prakash |
Alex |
| Avalude Raavukal |
1978 |
MP Ramachandran |
IV Sasi |
| Anumodanam |
1978 |
Thayyil Kunjikandan |
IV Sasi |
| Kanalkattakal |
1978 |
Thomas Abraham |
AB Raj |
| Anubhoothikalude Nimisham |
1978 |
RS Prabhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Padakkuthira |
1978 |
Sebastian Joseph,MO Devasya |
PG Vasudevan |
| Manoradham |
1978 |
KH Khan Saheb |
P Gopikumar |
| Puthariyankam |
1978 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Snehathinte Mukhangal |
1978 |
KC Joy |
T Hariharan |
| Lisa |
1978 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Baby |
| Seemanthini |
1978 |
N Sarathkumar |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Ee Manoharatheeram |
1978 |
AJ Kuriakose |
IV Sasi |
| Aval Kanda Lokam |
1978 |
KP Kottarakkara |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Eetta |
1978 |
Josekutty Cherupushpam |
IV Sasi |
| Ankakkuri |
1979 |
CV Hariharan |
Vijayanand |
| Prabhu |
1979 |
BVK Nair |
Baby |
| Prabhaathasandhya |
1979 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Maanavadharmam |
1979 |
Prathapachandran,IM Basheer |
Sasi Kumar |
| Jimmy |
1979 |
TE Vasudevan |
Melattoor Ravi Varma |
| Anubhavangale Nandi |
1979 |
Poornasree Arts |
IV Sasi |
| Manasaa Vaacha Karmanaa |
1979 |
PV Gangadharan |
IV Sasi |
| Anupallavi |
1979 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Baby |
| Ival Oru Naadodi |
1979 |
Noorlin Shajahan |
P Gopikumar |
| Pathivritha |
1979 |
Meghalaya Films |
MS Chakravarty |
| Vijayanum Veeranum |
1979 |
CN Paramasivam |
CN Venkita Swamy |
| Aarattu |
1979 |
MP Ramachandran |
IV Sasi |
| Sudhikalasam |
1979 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Amrithachumbanam |
1979 |
A Raghunath |
Venugopala Menon (P Venu) |
| Ezham Kadalinakkare |
1979 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Sarppam |
1979 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Baby |
| Pavizhamuthu |
1980 |
Hari Pothan |
Jeasy |
| Shakthi |
1980 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Vijayanand |
| Pappu |
1980 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Baby |
| Angaadi |
1980 |
PV Gangadharan |
IV Sasi |
| Moorkhan |
1980 |
Arifa Hassan |
Joshi |
| Ivar |
1980 |
MO Joseph |
IV Sasi |
| Theeram Thedunnavar |
1980 |
N Chakrapani,Sankar Bhatt |
P Chandrakumar |
| Chaakara |
1980 |
TG Ravi,Sivan Kunnampilly |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Karimbana |
1980 |
Ebby Movies |
IV Sasi |
| Adhikaaram |
1980 |
RS Prabhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Chandrahaasam |
1980 |
Padmasree Production |
Baby |
| Swargadevatha |
1980 |
RC combines |
Charles Ayyampally |
| Anthappuram |
1980 |
BVK Nair |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Digvijayam |
1980 |
PK Kaimal |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Theenaalangal |
1980 |
Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan |
Sasi Kumar |
| Ammayum Makalum |
1980 |
V&V Production |
Stanley Jose |
| Deepam |
1980 |
Renji Mathew |
P Chandrakumar |
| Prakadanam |
1980 |
Prathapachandran |
Sasi Kumar |
| Mr Michael |
1980 |
Arifa Hassan,J Williams |
J Williams |
| Kaanthavalayam |
1980 |
KP Thomas,MK Venugopal |
IV Sasi |
| Manushyamrigam |
1980 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Baby |
| Meen |
1980 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Benz Vasu |
1980 |
Arifa Hassan |
Hassan |
| Arangum Aniyarayum |
1980 |
RS Prabhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Avathaaram |
1981 |
RS Prabhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Hamsageetham |
1981 |
Sreemookambika Creations |
IV Sasi |
| Enne Snehikkoo Enne Maathram |
1981 |
OM John |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Sangharsham |
1981 |
Renji Mathew |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Sphodanam |
1981 |
PG Vishwambharan,Babu Xavier,KJ Thomas,K Appu |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Dantha Gopuram |
1981 |
Renjith Films |
P Chandrakumar |
| Aarathi |
1981 |
Soorya Narayanan Potti |
P Chandrakumar |
| Kaattukallan |
1981 |
TK Balachandran |
P Chandrakumar |
| Thadavara |
1981 |
Augustine Prakash |
P Chandrakumar |
| Kaahalam |
1981 |
Arifa Hassan |
Joshi |
| Thushaaram |
1981 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Karimpoocha |
1981 |
Kundani Satheerthyan,PK Ramanathan,DM Parameswaran,KV Vipinachandran |
Baby |
| Sambhavam |
1981 |
Majeendran,Babu Thomas,Babu Settu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Archana Teacher |
1981 |
Madhu |
PN Menon |
| Greeshmajwaala |
1981 |
Supreme Production |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Veshangal |
1981 |
|
KA Sivadas |
| Rakthasaakshi |
1982 |
TK Balachandran |
P Chandrakumar |
| Enikkum Oru Divasam |
1982 |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Komaram |
1982 |
Prabhakaran Thathiriyattu |
JC George |
| Ahimsa |
1982 |
PV Gangadharan |
IV Sasi |
| Maattuvin Chattangale |
1982 |
Girija Raghuram |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Beedikkunjamma |
1982 |
Ashok Hari Pothan,Azad Hari Pothan |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Chiriyo Chiri |
1982 |
PV Gangadharan |
Balachandra Menon |
| Sindoorasandhyaykku Mounam |
1982 |
VBK Menon |
IV Sasi |
| Innallengil Naale |
1982 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Thadaakam |
1982 |
Arifa Hassan |
IV Sasi |
| Shaari Alla Shaarada (Jwalamukhi) |
1982 |
Swamanthaka Arts |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Aaroodham |
1983 |
Rosamma George |
IV Sasi |
| Deepaaradhana |
1983 |
TK Balachandran |
Vijayanand |
| Oru Maadapraavinte Kadha |
1983 |
Alleppey Ashraf |
Alleppey Ashraf |
| Iniyenkilum |
1983 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Naanayam |
1983 |
CS Production |
IV Sasi |
| Sandhyaykku Virinja Poovu |
1983 |
Raju Mathew |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Kathi |
1983 |
Salam Karassery,VP Mohammed |
VP Muhammad |
| Aashrayam |
1983 |
Minar Movies |
K Ramachandran |
| Oru Mukham Pala Mukham |
1983 |
Raja Cherian,Sasi Menon |
PK Joseph |
| America America |
1983 |
Vijayathara Movies |
IV Sasi |
| Ankam |
1983 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Manassoru Mahaasamudram |
1983 |
R Kandaswamy |
PK Joseph |
| Rugma |
1983 |
Royal Achankunju,Cherupushpam Jose Kutty |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Asuran |
1983 |
Arifa Hassan |
Hassan |
| Maniyara |
1983 |
TE Vasudevan |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Nishedhi |
1984 |
KS Gopalakrishnan |
KS Gopalakrishnan |
| Rakshassu |
1984 |
Arifa Hassan |
Hassan |
| Kaanamarayathu |
1984 |
Josekutty Cherupushpam |
IV Sasi |
| Thirakal |
1984 |
Bhanuprakash,Nirmalaram |
K Vijayan |
| Thirakkil Alpa Samayam |
1984 |
Vijaya & Vijaya |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Oru Kochu Swapnam |
1984 |
Sherif Kottarakkara |
Vipin Das |
| Vanitha Police |
1984 |
Amminikkutty |
Alleppey Ashraf |
| Sandarbham |
1984 |
Joy Thomas |
Joshi |
| Ivide Ingane |
1984 |
Prathapachandran |
Joshi |
| Onnanu Nammal |
1984 |
S Abdul Salam,YS,G Kaladharan Nair |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Lakshmanarekha |
1984 |
MP Ramachandran |
IV Sasi |
| Athiraathram |
1984 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Aalkoottathil Thaniye |
1984 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Inakkili |
1984 |
NX George |
Joshi |
| Oru Sumangaliyude Kadha |
1984 |
Subramaniam Kumar |
Baby |
| Manithaali |
1984 |
TE Vasudevan |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Aksharangal |
1984 |
Rosamma George,MD George |
IV Sasi |
| Raadhayude Kamukan |
1984 |
C Krishnan |
Hassan |
| Karimbu |
1984 |
Combined Movies |
K Vijayan |
| Kodathi |
1984 |
Prathapachandran |
Joshi |
| Sandhyaykkenthinu Sindooram |
1984 |
Soja Abraham |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Adiyozhukkukal |
1984 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Maanyamahaajanangale |
1985 |
OCS Menon,KM Moitheenkutty,Alwin |
AT Abu |
| Vellarikkaappattanam |
1985 |
Thomas Berly,Abraham Tharakan |
Thomas Berly |
| Janakeeya Kodathi |
1985 |
Arifa Hassan |
Hassan |
| Snehicha Kuttathinu |
1985 |
TK Balachandran |
PK Joseph |
| Karimbinpoovinakkare |
1985 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Gaayathridevi Ente Amma |
1985 |
S Pavamani,A Raghunath |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
| Anubandham |
1985 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Guruji Oru Vaakku |
1985 |
Gajaraja Films |
Rajan Sankaradi |
| Shaantham Bheekaram |
1985 |
Manjeri Chandran |
Rajasenan |
| Vasanthasena |
1985 |
K Basanth |
K Vijayan |
| Idanilangal |
1985 |
K Balachandran |
IV Sasi |
| Aa Neram Alpa Dooram |
1985 |
EK Thyagarajan |
Thampi Kannanthanam |
| Ente Ammu,Ninte Thulasi,Avarude Chakki |
1985 |
Varada Balachandra Menon |
Balachandra Menon |
| Ayalvaasi Oru Daridravaasi |
1986 |
G Suresh Kumar,Sanalkumar |
Priyadarshan |
| Ente Shabdam |
1986 |
Ratheesh |
VK Unnikrishnan |
| Ashtabandham |
1986 |
Arifa Hassan |
Askar |
| Surabheeyaamangal |
1986 |
EPR Enterprises |
P Ashok Kumar |
| Gandhinagar 2nd Street |
1986 |
Raju Mathew |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
| Aavanaazhi |
1986 |
Saj Production |
IV Sasi |
| Vaartha |
1986 |
PV Gangadharan |
IV Sasi |
| Ee Kaikalil |
1986 |
Prem Prakash,NJ Siriac,Thomas Kora |
K Madhu |
| Njaan Kaathorthirikkum |
1986 |
Victory & Victory |
Rasheed Karapuzha |
| Chekkeranoru Chilla |
1986 |
Sajan |
Sibi Malayil |
| Akalangalil |
1986 |
Josekutty Cherupushpam |
Sasi Kumar |
| Koodanayum Kaattu |
1986 |
Joseph Abraham |
IV Sasi |
| Nilaavinte Naattil |
1986 |
Poornakumbha Films |
Vijay Menon |
| Oraayiram Ormakal |
1986 U |
Mayura Film Makers |
Uncategorized |
| Adimakal Udamakal |
1987 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Naalkkavala |
1987 |
Babu Thomas |
IV Sasi |
| Naadodikkaattu |
1987 |
Raju Mathew |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
| Sarvakalashaala |
1987 |
Anand |
Venu Nagavally |
| Ithrayum Kaalam |
1987 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Mizhiyorangalil |
1987 |
|
Sasi Mohan |
| 1921 |
1988 |
Muhammed Mannil |
IV Sasi |
| Abkaari |
1988 |
George Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Sangham |
1988 |
K Rajagopal |
Joshi |
| Paadamudra |
1988 |
Augustine Elanjippalli |
R Sukumaran |
| Vichaarana |
1988 |
Ranjini |
Sibi Malayil |
| Ayitham |
1988 |
S Ambika,S Radha |
Venu Nagavally |
| Mukthi |
1988 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
| Rahasyam Paramarahasyam |
1988 |
EK Thyagarajan |
PK Joseph |
| Mattoraal |
1988 |
S Sankaran Kutty,V Punnoos |
KG George |
| Ormayil Ennum |
1988 |
TC Basheer Ahmed |
TV Mohan |
| Evidence [Puthumazhatthullikal] |
1988 |
MR Raddha Rajoo,R Vijayalakshmi |
Raghavan |
| Mahaayaanam |
1989 |
CT Rajan |
Joshi |
| Aazhikkoru Muthu |
1989 |
K Karunakaran |
Sophy |
| Ashokante Ashwathykuttikku |
1989 |
Changanassery Basheer |
Vijayan Karote |
| Arthana |
1993 |
LV Prasad |
IV Sasi |
| Olympian Antony Adam |
1999 |
Mohanlal |
Bhadran |
| Sradha |
2000 |
Anand Kumar |
IV Sasi |
| Kilichundan Mambazham |
2003 |
Antony Perumbavoor |
Priyadarshan |
| Udayam |
2004 |
Nazeer,Babu (New),Balakrishnan |
Vinu Joemon |
| Prajaapathy |
2006 |
Siraj Valiyaveettil |
Ranjith |
| Pranayakaalam |
2007 |
AV Anoop |
Uday Anandan |
| Nagaram |
2007 |
Manju Thomas |
MA Nishad |
| Aayudham |
2008 |
Channel Enterprises |
MA Nishad |
| Perumaal |
2009 |
Thirunakkara Films |
Prasad Velachery |
| Vellathooval |
2009 |
CM Raju |
IV Sasi |
| Four Friends |
2010 |
Tomichan Mulakuppadam |
Saji Surendran |
| Nadakame Ulakam |
2011 |
MK Raveendran,MK Suresh |
Viji Thampy |
| Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action |
2011 |
Thankachan Vismaya |
TS Suresh Babu |
| Manushyamrugam |
2011 |
Vani Viswanath |
Baburaj Jacob |
| Geethaanjali |
2013 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Priyadarshan |
| Sir CP (Sir Chethimattathil Philip) |
2015 |
MK Nazar,P Stanley |
Shajoon Karyal |
| Thaandavar |
2018 U |
|
Babu Rajendran |
| Maara |
2021 D |
|
Dilip Kumar |
| Pany |
2024 |
M Riaz Adam,Sijo Vadakkan |
Joju George |
| Oru Vaathil Kotta |
2025 P |
|
Moni Sreenivasan |
| Iniyethra Dooram |
NA U |
S Clement |
TS Mohan |
