Janaki Sabesh


Janaki Sabesh is an Indian media professional, actor, model, storyteller, author of children's book, theatre and voiceover artist.Throughout her film career, she has played the "screen mother" to several leading actors, appearing predominantly in Tamil and Telugu movies.

Early life

Janaki was born in Bangalore. She did her initial schooling in Carmel School, Kolkatta and then from DTEA Senior Secondary School, New Delhi. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi and a master's degree in mass communication from Jamia Millia, Delhi.

Career

In 1991, Janaki Sabesh assisted Simi Garewal with her documentary on Rajiv Gandhi called India's Rajiv. She made her professional acting debut in the movie Minsara Kanavu starring Kajol and Arvind Swamy, in which she played a nun. She later went on to act in Shankar's magnum opus Jeans, where she played Aishwarya Rai's mother. Since then, she has acted in over 25 movies, including the blockbuster hits Minnale and Ghilli, often playing the role of a mother.
She has modelled for leading brands like Cadburys, Pepsodent, KFJ, NAC jewellers, Chakra Gold Tea, Jansons Dhoti to name a few. She has also appeared in a web series titled Black Sheep on the YouTube channel of Stray Factory, Rascalas.Janaki's work as a theatre artist includes plays with Chennai based theatre groups, Crea- Shakti & Madras Players.Janaki Sabesh’s engagement with children began when she produced an audio cassette “The Learning Train” that simplified the world of numbers through story and songs.
She also runs her own storytelling initiative, Golpo - Tales Unlimited. The word Golpo in Bengali means "story". Her sessions are an interactive mix of narration, music and movement. She also conducts workshops for parents, teachers and students which centre on motivation and the productive uses of storytelling.
Janaki Sabesh turned an author in 2018 with her first picture book, "The Jungle Storytelling Festival" published by Tulika in 9 languages
More on Janaki Sabesh available on her website https://www.janakisabesh.com/

Selected filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguage
1997Minsaara KanavuSister AgnesTamil
1998JeansMadhumitha's motherTamil
1999JodiGuest appearanceTamil
2000KushiJennifer's motherTamil
2001KushiSiddhartha Roy/Siddu's motherTelugu
2001MinnaleRajiv Samuel's motherTamil
2001Poovellam Un VasamChinna's motherTamil
2001Shah Jahan Mahee's motherTamil
2002RunSiva's motherTamil
2003BoysRenukaTamil
2003Enakku 20 Unakku 18Cameo appearanceTamil
2003Nee Manasu Naaku TelusuCameo appearanceTelugu
2004GhilliSaravanavelu's motherTamil
2004Vaanam VasappadumPoongkothai's motherTamil
2004Aayutha EzhuthuDoctor's wifeTamil
2006Vettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduJanakiTamil
2006VallavanVallavan's motherTamil
2006PhotographerJohn's sister-in-lawMalayalam
2007Shankar Dada ZindabadSandhya's motherTelugu
2008Dhaam DhoomTamil
2009AyanKamalesh's aideTamil
2010SingamKavya's motherTamil
2010Maro CharitraTelugu
2011NootrenbadhuAnnalakshmiTamil
2011180AnnapurnaTelugu
2012Billa IIDavid's sisterTamil
2013Singam 2Kavya's motherTamil
2014PoojaiDivya's motherTamil
2017Si3Kavya's motherTamil

Press articles