Happy Birthday Shobana: Five movies of the actress from ‘Manichithrathazhu’ to ‘Makalkku’ that you should watch right away

A born actor, a trained dancer, and several accolades including a Padmashri to her honour, actress Shobana is more than one could ever describe. Mollywood hasn’t ever witnessed such a graceful, effortless and talented actress before. She is more than Mollywood could ever wish for. The two times National Award-winning actress has impressed the audience with her performance in six languages including Malayalam. Be it that of a loyal lover, a progressive individual, a chain breaker or a possessed soul, Shobana manages to pull off every character and gives her best to every role. Not a single movie of hers has seen a poor performance from the actress. As the star turns a year older, we take a look at some of her best films right from ‘Agnisakshi’ to ‘Makalkku’.

Written by Madhu Muttam and directed by the talented Fazil, 'Manichithrathazhu' is the best horror movie Mollywood has ever seen. A psychological thriller, 'Manichithrathazhu' saw Shobana essaying Ganga, who is a victim of split-personality disorder. Ganga was very much drawn to mythical stories, especially those that had elements of fantasy, in her childhood. Shobana portrayed Ganga, who was possessed by Nagavalli. A scene in the movie, when Nakulan (Suresh Gopi) screams ‘Gangee’, you can't help but notice the sheer change in expressions that Shobana brings from being possessed to being the normal Ganga. Shobana won the National Award for Best Actress and also the State Award for her performance. Although the movie was remade in many other languages, none of the other actresses could match up to her performance.

'Meleparambil Anveedu' is probably the most popular movie of Shobana. Co-starring with Jayaram, she made the audience fall for her. She played Pavizham, the Tamilian girl who fell in love with Harikrishnan (Jayaram), a Keralite. Hailing from a big family, Pavizham elopes with Hari to his home. Hari, on the other hand, doesn't have the nerve to confess that he married his lady love. Pavizham is introduced as a maid by Hari, and the poor vulnerable woman suffers everything from the language barrier to difficult household chores to live with her man. Pavizham's innocence, her helplessness, and enduring everything despite all the hardships for her man, will surely catch your attention. Pavizham would have never been possible without Shobana.

The Shyamaprasad directorial 'Agnisakshi' saw Shobana in two extreme avatars. She essayed Devaki, a progressive thinking woman who gets married off to Unni, who belongs to a very conservative Namboothiri Illam. From trying to cope up with the conservative family to taking part in the Freedom struggle for the nation, the movie saw her in the most intense avatar. From the body language to drawing the layered emotion, the movie is a masterpiece, and so is Shobana’s acting.

Shobana is an actress who could effortlessly mould herself for both art movies as well as commercial hits. 'Thenmavin Kombathu', directed by Priyadarshan, saw the actress in an incredibly entertaining avatar. She essayed Karthumbi in the romantic comedy. Karthumbi and her high-spirited behaviour was well portrayed by Shobana. Also, when the situation grew intense, she performed it with utter perfection. Her chemistry and also comic timing with Manikyan (Mohanlal) still entertains the audience. It seems like she would spontaneously transform into the character every time Priyadarshan would call out 'action'. Her acting was amazingly natural in this one!

Directed by Jayaraj, 'Makalkku' has one of the best performances of Shobana. She essayed Killeri, a woman who has a mental illness. The movie begins with Killeri giving birth to a daughter. No one knows her past. Killeri's character was layered. She has no identity, doesn't show any affection for her child, but her occasional smiles hint at something. The character itself wasn't unfolded in the movie, nor was the mystery solved. Shobana’s note-perfect performance is the soul of this movie.