In this Indian name, the name Bhagyaraj is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Poornima.
Not to be confused with Telugu actress Poornima.

Poornima Bhagyaraj
Born
Poornima Jayaram

(1960-07-17) 17 July 1960 (age 65)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Years active 1977–1985
2013–present
Spouse
K. Bhagyaraj
​
​
(m. 1984; died 2026)​
Children 2 (incl Shanthanu Bhagyaraj)

Poornima Bhagyaraj (née Jayaram) is an Indian actress in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has also done a few Hindi and Telugu films. She is best known for her leading roles from 1980 to 1985.[1][2] She married late actor and director K. Bhagyaraj, who died on 27 June 2026.[3]

Early life

Poornima was born and brought up in Mumbai. She learned Bharatanatyam in Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatha Natya Kala Mandir, Mumbai. Her grandfather was the founding member of Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai.[4]

Filmography

Tamil

Year Film Role Notes
1981 Nenjil Oru Mull Madhavi
Kilinjalgal Julie
1982 Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai
Payanangal Mudivathillai Radha
Paritchaiku Neramachu Jayanthi
Thaai Mookaambikai Durga
Darling, Darling, Darling Radha
Nandri, Meendum Varuga Guest appearance
Punitha Malar
Kathal Oru Jeevanathi
Mamiyara Marumagala
1983 Thambathigal
Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum Arundhati
Sashti Viradam Valli
Nenjamellam Neeyey
Mundhanai Mudichu Vaathiyar's first wife
En Aasai Unnoduthan
Naalu Perukku Nandri
Antha Sila Naatkal
Thanga Magan Chithra
1984 Vidhi Radha
Unga Veetu Pillai
Neengal Kettavai Arun - Ramu's mother
1985 Aduthathu Albert Paanchali
2013 Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer Karthi's mother
2014 Jilla Sivan's wife
2016 Vaaimai Devakiammal
2017 Mupparimanam Herself Guest Appearance (Let's Go Party)
2018 Mohini Menaka
Rajavin Paarvai Raniyin Pakkam Herself
2019 Raatchasi Susheela
2023 Rudhran Indhrani [5]
Theerkadarishi
2025 Aghathiyaa Dr Vaideeshwari Cameo appearance

Malayalam

Year Title Role Notes
2018 Mohanlal Herself (Archive footage)
2015 Rock Star Gayathri
2008 Twenty: 20 Herself (Archive footage)
1987 Kaiyethum Doorathu Yamuna Production in 1984
1984 Onnanu Nammal Seetha
Veruthe Oru Pinakkam Anitha
1983 Hello Madras Girl Swapna
Oomakkuyil Radha
Karyam Nisaaram Parvathi
Naanayam Maya
Marakkillorikkalum Archana
Pin Nilavu Parvathi
Prasnam Gurutharam Viji
Kinnaram Radha
Rachana Thulasi
Yudham Sheela
Kaikeyi
Mazhanilaavu Susheela
Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku Mercy
1982 Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam Vimala
Kelkatha Shabdam Poornima
Njan Ekanaanu Sindhu
Olangal Radha
Padayottam Laila
Aa Rathri Indu
Sooryan Ammini
Aayudham Sandhya
Snehapoorvam Meera Meera
Kaattile Pattu Priya
Velicham Vitharunna Penkutti Geetha
Gaanam Sreedevi
Ruby My Darling Ruby
1981 Oothikachiya Ponnu Sukumari
Ahimsa Suma
1980 Manjil Virinja Pookkal Prabha

Telugu

Year Title Role Notes
1983 Manthrigari Viyyankudu Anuradha
2019 Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene Arjun's mother

Hindi

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Paheli Champa
1978 Dillagi
1979 Ratnadeep
1981 Dard

Producer

Year Title Language Notes
1989 Aararo Aariraro Tamil
1992 Amma Vanthachu
Sundara Kandam
1996 Vaettiya Madichu Kattu

Short film

Year Film Role Notes
2021 Family Judge [6]

Television

Serials

Year Title Role Language Channel
2018–2020 Kanmani Vijayalakshmi Tamil Sun TV
2020–2021 Suryavamsam Annammal "Annapoorani"[7] Zee Tamil
2021 Poove Unakkaga Herself (Special Appearance) Sun TV
2021–2022 Enga Veetu Meenakshi Valliammai Colors Tamil
2024 Malli Vidhya Sun TV
2025 Karthigai Deepam Rajeshwari (Special Appearance) Zee Tamil

Shows

Year Shows Role Language Channel
2015 Koffee with DD Guest Tamil Vijay TV
Ninaithale Inikkum Vendhar TV
2019 Comedy Stars Season 2 Malayalam Asianet
2020 Kodeeswari Participant Tamil Colors Tamil
2021 Rajaparvai Herself Sun TV

Web series

Year Title Role Network
2022 Paper Rocket Dr. Sheila ZEE5
Fall Disney+ Hotstar[8]

Awards and honours

Year Award Award category Awarded work Reference
1980 Kerala State Film Award Best Actress Manjil Virinja Pookkal [9]
1982 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil Payanangal Mudivathillai [10]
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam Olangal [11]

References

  1. ^ "Manorama Online | Movies | Interviews |". www.manoramaonline.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013.
  2. ^ Shiva Kumar, S. (1981). "All-pervading". Mid-Day. Retrieved 4 January 2021.[non-primary source needed]
  3. ^ "Heroines who fell for their directors". The Times of India. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  4. ^ "மோகன் என்னைத் திட்டுவார்,நானும் அவரை திட்டுவேன்-CHAI WITH CHITHRA MARATHON- POORNIMA BHAGYARAJ". Youtube-Chai with chitra. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  5. ^ Rudhran First Look Wall Poster, retrieved 30 June 2022
  6. ^ "Family Short Film by Behindwoods". 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ [Annammal and Annapoorani are same character]
  8. ^ "First look of Siddharth Ramaswamy's upcoming web series 'Fall' released". The New Indian Express. 17 September 2022.
  9. ^ "State Film Awards". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  10. ^ The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984. p. 235. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  11. ^ Collections. Update Video Publication. 1991. p. 394. Retrieved 16 June 2012.