Monisha Unni


Monisha Unni was an Indian actress, known for her works Predominantly in Malayalam films and in a few Tamil films.
Monisha was 16 when she became the youngest actress ever to receive the National Film Award for Best Actress for Nakhakshathangal, her debut feature film. Along with Sharada, Shobhana, Meera Jasmine, and Surabhi Lakshmi. Monisha Unni is one of six Malayalam actresses who have won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
In her short career, Monisha collaborated with directors such as M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, Priyadarshan, Ajayan, Kamal and Sibi Malayil.

Early life

Monisha Unni was born in Panniyankara, Kozhikode, in 1971 to Narayanan Unni and Sreedevi Unni. She completed her schooling at St. Charles High School, Bangalore, and Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore. She then completed her graduation in psychology at Mount [Carmel College, Bangalore]. She had an elder brother, Sajith Unni.

Death

Monisha Unni was working on the Malayalam film Cheppadividya when she died in a car accident. On 5 December 1992, a car carrying Monisha and her mother, Sreedevi Unni, collided with a Kerala State [Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC] bus at X-Ray Bypass Junction near Cherthala in Alappuzha district of Kerala. She was 21 years old. Monisha was sleeping in the back seat when the accident occurred. Her mother, Sreedevi was thrown out of the car, but escaped with bruises and fractures. Monisha, however, died within minutes due to a cervical fracture of her spine. Reports said Monisha was bleeding through her nose and ears. Although she was taken to the nearby KVM hospital, she had died. The driver of their Ambassador car also died in the accident. After conducting an autopsy at Government [Medical College, Alappuzha], her dead body was taken to her home in Bengaluru, where she was cremated. Thousands attended her funeral.

Career

Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is also a screenwriter and film director, was a family friend of Monisha. M.T. was responsible for Monisha's entry into the film industry. She made her debut in Nakhakshathangal, which was written by M. T. and directed by Hariharan. The film portrayed a love triangle involving three teenagers. Monisha's portrayal of Gowri, the film's female protagonist, earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
1984PaavayyaTamilA 16 mm B/W Tamil short film directed by U. S. Vaasan
1986NakhakshathangalGowriMalayalamNational Film Award for Best Actress
1986RithubhedamThankamaniMalayalam
1986Sayam SandhyaVinumolMalayalam
1987Pookkal Vidum ThudhuGowriTamil
1987Lawyer Bharathi DeviLeelaTelugu
1988AryanSainabhaMalayalam
1988Chiranjeevi SudhakarSandhyaKannadaTwin role
1988Chiranjeevi SudhakarSaralaKannadaTwin role
1988KanakambarangalSreedeviMalayalam
1989DravidanSalmaTamil
1989AdhipanGeethaMalayalam
1990Kuruppinte Kanakku PustakomSathiMalayalam
1990 Veena Meettiya Vilangukal SrideviMalayalam
1990PerumthachanKunhikkavu ThamburattiMalayalam
1990KaazhchakkappuramAmmuMalayalam
1991Venal KinavukalNaliniMalayalam
1991KadavuDeviMalayalam
1992Unna Nenachen Pattu PadichenDhanamTamil
1992ThalastaanamRadhaMalayalam
1992Oru Kochu BhoomikulukkamVijiMalayalam
1992KudumbasamethamThulasiMalayalam
1992KamaladalamMalavikaMalayalam
1992Champakulam ThachanAmmuMalayalam
1992 Cheppadividya ElsaMalayalam
1993Moondravadhu KannPriyaTamil