{{Short description|Indian film actress}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Renuka Menon | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|11|3|df=yes}} | birth_place = Alappuzha, Kerala, India | education = Bachelor of Business Administration | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model|dancer}} | spouse = {{Marriage|Suraj Menon|2006}} | children = 2 | other_names = Renu | years_active = 2002{{endash}}2006 | known_for = ''Nammal'' (2002) <br/> ''Daas'' (2005) <br/> ''Vargam'' (2006) }}
'''Renuka Menon''' (born 3 November 1983)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/remember-kalabha-kadhalan-actress-renuka-menon-heres-what-she-is-doing-now-8841927.html|title=Remember Kalabha Kadhalan Actress Renuka Menon? Here's What She Is Doing Now|date=6 April 2024|website=www.news18.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/bhavana-completes-20-years-in-films-expresses-gratitude-to-nammal-team-1.8150109|title=Bhavana completes 20 years in films, expresses gratitude to 'Nammal' team|date=20 December 2022|website=english.mathrubhumi.com}}</ref> is a former Indian actress who has predominantly appeared in Malayalam and Telugu-language films as well as some Tamil-language and Kannada films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/07das.asp|date=11 July 2005|access-date=18 July 2024|website=Chennai Online|title=Das|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205034549/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/07das.asp|archive-date=5 December 2005}}</ref>
She made her acting debut in ''Nammal'' (2002).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doolnews.com/music-director-mohan-sithara-about-nammal-movie-songs-454.html|title=Nammal (2002) movie songs, mp3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/nammal-review-malayalam-pcluy2cdbfgbg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512003335/https://www.sify.com/movies/nammal-review-malayalam-pcluy2cdbfgbg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2022|title=Nammal|work=Sify|date=24 April 2003}}</ref> Her notable films include ''Daas'' (2005),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=13909216&cid=2408 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020091636/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=13909216&cid=2408 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2012 |title=Welcome to|website=Sify |date=20 January 2007 |access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> ''Vargam'' (2006)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/vargam/20060314.htm | title=Vargam: Worth the price of a ticket }}</ref> and ''Kalabha Kadhalan'' (2006).<ref name=co>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2006/01kalabhakadhalan.asp |title=Kalabha Kadhalan |website=Chennai Online |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114093825/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2006/01kalabhakadhalan.asp |archive-date=14 January 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, Menon retired from acting and currently runs a dance school in California.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.vanitha.in/celluloid/celebrity-interview/renuka-menon-family-vanitha-special.html |title='അമ്മാ... അമ്മയെ എന്തിനാ ഇന്റർവ്യൂ ചെയ്യണേ?'; മകളുടെ ചോദ്യത്തിന് രേണുക നൽകിയ മറുപടി | renuka menon actress | renuka menon family | renuka menon nammal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raaga.com |title=Kalabak Kadhalan Songs Download, Kalabak Kadhalan All MP3 Songs, Raaga.com All Songs |url=https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kalabak-kadhalan-songs-T0000769 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=www.raaga.com |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202065106/https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kalabak-kadhalan-songs-T0000769 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/jishnu-nammal-and-ordinary-films.html#|title='നമ്മളി'ലൊരാളായി, തികച്ചും 'ഓർഡിനറി'യായി|website=www.manoramaonline.com|date=25 March 2016|language=ml}}</ref>
==Early and personal life== Renuka was born on 3 November 1983 in Alappuzha and also she pursued her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Thrissur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/actress-renuka-menon-latest-family-photo-has-shocked-the-fans-176563|title=Renuka Menon: ஆர்யா பட நடிகைக்கு இவ்வளவு பெரிய மகளா? ஃபேமிலி போட்டோ பகிர்ந்த ரேணுகா மேனன்|author=Lavanya Yuvaraj|date=4 April 2023|website=tamil.abplive.com}}</ref> She married Suraj Menon, a US-based software engineer, on 21 November 2006. They have two daughters, Swathi and Anika.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/web-stories/entertainment/nammal-movie-fame-actress-renuka-menon-age-lifestory-and-family-details/photoshow/108283139.cms|title='നമ്മളിലെ അപർണ ഇവിടെയുണ്ട്'! 40 വയസ്സിലും ഇന്നും അതുപോലെ!|date=7 March 2024|website=malayalam.samayam.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/celebrity-news/actress-renuka-menon-s-family-pics-went-viral/articleshow/94395341.cms|title=ഭർത്താവിനും മക്കൾക്കുമൊപ്പമായി സന്തുഷ്ട കുടുംബജീവിതം! നമ്മളിലെ അപർണ, രേണുക മേനോന്റെ ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ വിശേഷങ്ങൾ ഇതാണ്! ചിത്രങ്ങൾ വൈറൽ|date=23 September 2023|website=malayalam.samayam.com}}</ref>
== Career == ===2002-2004: Early debut and its recognition=== At the age of 19, Renuka made her acting debut through ''Nammal''<ref name="asianetnews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/sidharth-bharathan-remember-late-actor-jishnu-raghavan-nrn-rs0taj|title='നീണ്ട ഏഴ് വർഷങ്ങൾ.. ഓർത്തു കൊണ്ടേയിരിക്കുന്നു'; ജിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ ഓർമയിൽ സിദ്ധാർത്ഥ് ഭരതൻ|website=asianetnews.com|language=ml}}</ref> opposite Jishnu Raghavan, Sidharth Bharathan and Bhavana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/bhavana-menon-on-20-years-of-nammal-i-still-remember-the-way-i-sulked-when-they-finished-my-make-up-saying-no-one-is-gonna-recognize-me/articleshow/96361587.cms|title=Bhavana Menon on 20 years of 'Nammal': I still remember the remember the way I sulked when they finished my make-up, saying, 'no one is gonna recognize me'|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|date=20 December 2022|language=en}}</ref> It was commercially successful and well received by critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/02/15/stories/2003021502360200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221190650/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/02/15/stories/2003021502360200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2016|title=A filmi shot in the arm|work=The Hindu|date=15 February 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/top-6-all-time-best-youth-centric-films-of-mollywood/top-6-all-time-best-youth-centric-films-of-mollywood/photostory/52902727.cms|title=Top 6 all-time best youth-centric films of Mollywood|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
Then she acted in several films ''Mayamohithachandran'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/jayam-ravi-and-renuka-menon-shines-in-the-romance-dass-tamil-movie-and-yuvan-shankar-raja-hit-in-the-music-131722215594552.html|title=19 Years Of Daas: ஜெயம் ரவி - ரேணுகா மேனன் ரொமான்ஸில் மிளிர்ந்த தாஸ்.. இசையில் சிக்ஸர் அடித்த யுவன் சங்கர் ராஜா|author=M.Marimuthu|date=29 July 2024|website=tamil.hindustantimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/entertainment/film-serial-actress-yamuna-got-married-442660/|title=സിനിമാ സീരിയൽ താരം യമുന വിവാഹിതയായി|date=13 December 2020 }}</ref> ''Freedom''<ref name="jishn">{{cite news| date=27 Mar 2016 |title=A promising career cut short by cancer |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/malayalam-actor-jishnu-raghavan-a-promising-career-cut-short-by-cancer/article8401215.ece}}</ref> and ''Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum'' along with Prithviraj.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramanews.com/news/entertainment/2017/11/06/malika-sukumaran-speaks-about-the-conspiracy.html|title=അവർ മക്കളെയും സിനിമയില് നിന്ന് അകറ്റാന് ശ്രമിച്ചു: മല്ലിക സുകുമാരൻ|website=Manoramanews|date=6 November 2017 }}</ref> Then, she made her Telugu-language debut in ''Anandamanandamaye'' along with Jai Akash and it received positive reviews from critics.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220411014246/https://www.sify.com/movies/meerayude-dukhavum-muthuvinte-swapnavum-review-malayalam-pclvlsegbcfei.html ''Sify'' review]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/anandamanandamaye-review-tamil-pclv0kijhefeb.html|title=Anandamanandamaye|date=14 February 2004|work=Sify|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705150103/http://www.sify.com/movies/anandamanandamaye-review-tamil-13389071.html|archive-date=5 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doolnews.com/renuka-menon-talks-about-prithviraj-sukumaran-138-64.html#google_vignette|title=പലരും രാജുവിന്റെ ആ രീതിയെ അന്ന് തെറ്റിദ്ധരിച്ചു; ആളുകള് എന്നെ കുറിച്ചും അങ്ങനെ ചിന്തിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടാകാം: രേണുക|date=11 July 2024|website=www.doolnews.com}}</ref>
===2005-2006: Foray into other industries=== In 2005, Menon made her debut Tamil-language and Kannada film debuts in ''February 14'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/07February14.asp |title=February 14 |website=Chennai Online |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006010247/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/07February14.asp |archive-date=6 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> alongside Bharath, and ''News'' opposite Upendra,<ref>{{cite news |title=Heroine count: the more the merrier |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/heroine-count-the-more-the-merrier/articleshow/755362.cms |work=The Times of India |date=27 June 2004 |access-date=3 April 2009 |first1=Kavvya |last1=Christopher}}</ref> respectively. Later that year, she starred in another Tamil film, ''Daas'' opposite Jayam Ravi and it was praised by critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jul/05look.htm |title=Jeyam Ravi on a hat-trick |publisher=Rediff |accessdate=18 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.viggy.com/english/current_news.asp News about 'News']</ref>
In 2006, she acted in the Malayalam film ''Vargam'',{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} paired with Prithviraj again after ''Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum'', following which, she appeared in the Tamil film ''Kalabha Kadhalan''<ref>{{cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=19 March 2006 |title=கலாபக் காதலன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-03-19/page/n1/mode/2up |access-date=13 March 2024 |magazine=Kalki |page=1 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> opposite Arya and in the multi-starrer ''Pathaaka''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mangalam.com/news/detail/718717-latest-news-actress-renuka-menon-shared-pictures-of-the-dance.html#google_vignette|title=ഈ നടിയെ മനസ്സിലായോ? പ്രായമാകുന്നതായി തോന്നുന്നതേ ഇല്ല , ഇപ്പോഴും അതീവ സുന്ദരിയാണെന്ന് ആരാധകര്|date=25 June 2024|website=www.mangalam.com}}</ref>
== Filmography == === Films === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Language ! Notes ! Ref |- | 2002 | ''Nammal'' | Aparna | Malayalam | Malayalam debut | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/did-you-know/did-you-know-shine-tom-chacko-has-appeared-in-nammal/articleshow/83770413.cms|title=Did you know Shine Tom Chacko has appeared in 'Nammal'?|date=23 June 2021|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"|2003 | ''Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum'' | Aswathy | Malayalam | | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/delve/pitied-and-desexualised-how-malayalam-cinema-has-portrayed-people-disability-101614|title=Pitied and desexualised: How Malayalam cinema has portrayed people with disability|author=Neelima Menon|date=11 May 2018|website=www.thenewsminute.com}}</ref> |- | ''Mayamohithachandran'' | Maya | Malayalam | | {{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} |- | rowspan="3"|2004 | ''Freedom'' | Anjali | Malayalam | | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/malayalam/freedom-on-mazhavil-manorama/articleshow/49748425.cms|title='Freedom' on Mazhavil Manorama|date=18 November 2015|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> |- | ''Anandamanandamaye'' | Bhuvaneshwari | Telugu | Telugu debut | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telugu.filmyfocus.com/unknown-and-interesting-story-behind-anandamanandamaye-movie-making|title=Anandamanandamaye: 19 ఏళ్ళ 'ఆనందమానందమాయే' వెనుక ఇంత కథ ఉందా?|date=7 February 2023|website=telugu.filmyfocus.com}}</ref> |- | ''Valliddaru Okkate'' | Sravani | Telugu | | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moviegq.com/movie/valliddaru-okkate-9163|title=Valliddaru Okkate 2004 Telugu Movie Wiki, Cast, Crew, Songs, Videos, Release Date|website=MovieGQ|language=en|access-date=2021-05-22}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"|2005 | ''February 14'' | Pooja | Tamil | Tamil debut | {{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} |- | ''News'' | Divya | Kannada | Kannada debut | {{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} |- | ''Daas'' | Rajeshwari | Tamil | | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/dass-review-tamil-13906776.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011225834/http://www.sify.com/movies/dass-review-tamil-13906776.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 October 2014 |title=Movie Review:Dass|website=Sify |access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"|2006 | ''Vargam'' | Nadhiya | Malayalam | | <ref>{{Cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/prithviraj-would-like-to-remake-vargam/articleshow/67849592.cms | title=Prithviraj: Would like to remake Vargam - Times of India ► | website=The Times of India }}</ref> |- | ''Kalabha Kadhalan'' | Anbarasi | Tamil | | {{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} |- | ''Pathaaka'' | Meera Menon | Malayalam | | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/07pathaka.htm|title = Suresh Gopi can't save Pathaka}}</ref> |- | 2009 | ''Madhan'' | Renuka | Tamil | Unreleased film | {{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} |}
===TV shows=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Show ! Channel ! Notes ! Ref |- | 2003 | ''Onnanu Nammal'' | Surya TV | paired with Nammal | <ref>{{cite news|title=Kinescope|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/12/23/stories/2002122300330300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030721020641/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/12/23/stories/2002122300330300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2003|accessdate=22 January 2018|work=The Hindu|date=23 December 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/270316/buddies-tribute-to-warrior-pal-jishnu.html|title=Buddies' tribute to warrior pal Jishnu|website=Deccan Chronicle|date=27 March 2016 |language=en}}</ref> |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|1464931}} * {{Instagram|renukamenon_}}
{{authority control|state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Menon, Renuka}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Malayali people Category:Actresses from Alappuzha Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema Category:Indian Hindus Category:Indian film actresses Category:Indian female dancers Category:21st-century Indian actresses