Anna Ben is an Indian actress who works in Malayalam cinema. The daughter of screenwriter Benny P. Nayarambalam, she made her acting debut with Kumbalangi Nights in 2019.[1][2] Anna has since starred in the dramas Helen (2019) and Kappela (2020). For the former, she won the Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention and for the latter, she won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[3]
Anna Ben | |
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Born | |
Alma mater | St. Teresa's College |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2019–present |
Parent |
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Anna is the daughter of screenwriter Benny P. Nayarambalam[1] and Fulja. She completed schooling from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Vaduthala. She is a fashion and apparel design graduate from St. Teresa's College, Kochi.[4]
Anna made her feature movie debut in 2019 through commercially and critically successful Kumbalangi Nights in which she played the female lead Baby. She was selected through four rounds of auditions.[5] She described her character as "modern and traditional simultaneously, rooted, with her own point-of-view".[6] The Hindu wrote, "She stood out even in the presence of seasoned performers".[7] The success of that film paved the way for Helen,[8] a survival drama in which she played the titular character of Helen, and Kappela, both appreciated by audience and critics.[9][2] Director Sathyan Anthikad praised her acting in the former,[10] and Manorama Online reported, "Anna Ben makes Kappela a delightful journey" about the latter.[2] Anna has also appeared in music videos.[11]
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Kumbalangi Nights | Babymol | [12] | |
Helen | Helen Paul | [13] | ||
2020 | Kappela | Jessi Varghese | [14] | |
2021 | Sara's | Sara Vincent | [15] | |
2022 | Naaradan | Shakira Mohammed | [16] | |
Night Drive | Riya Roy | [17] | ||
Kaapa | Binu Thrivikraman/Gunda Binu | [18] | ||
2023 | Thrishanku | Megha | [19] | |
2024 | The Adamant Girl | Meena | Tamil film | [20] |
Kalki 2898 AD † | TBA | Telugu-Hindi film; filming | [21] | |
TBA | Ennittu Avasanam † | TBA | Filming | [22] |
TBA | Anchu Centum Celeenayum † | TBA | Filming | [23] |
Award | Year | Category | Film | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kerala State Film Awards | 2019 | Special Jury Mention | Helen | Won[24] |
2020 | Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress | Kappela | Won[25] | |
CPC Cine Awards | 2019 | Best Actress in Lead Role | Kumbalangi Nights, Helen | Won[26] |
SIIMA Awards | 2019 | Best Debutant Actress (Malayalam) | Kumbalangi Nights | Won[27] |
Best Actress (Malayalam) | Helen | Nominated[28] | ||
2020 | Best Actress Critics (Malayalam) | Kappela | Won[29] | |
Best Actress (Malayalam) | Nominated[28] | |||
Asianet Film Awards | 2019 | Best New Face of the Year (Female) | Kumbalangi Nights | Won[citation needed] |
Vanitha Film Awards | Best Debutant Actress | Won[30] | ||
Best Star Couple (shared with Shane Nigam) | Won[30] |