Veteran actor
Mohanlal lost his mother Santhakumari Amma on December 30, she was 90 and breathed her last at the actor's residence in Elamakkara, Kochi. The loss has deeply saddened fans across generations. At this emotional moment, several old interviews and memories involving Mohanlal and his mother have resurfaced online. Among them is a candid interview in which she explained why she avoided watching some of her son’s most acclaimed films.
Why she avoided watching some of his films
In a television interview given to a private channel years ago, Santhakumari Amma spoke honestly about the emotional difficulty of watching Mohanlal in intense roles. She said, "I cannot watch 'Kireedam' or 'Chenkol'. It is too painful. There are beatings and suffering. I have never watched Chenkol at all. I watched a little of Kireedam and then stopped. I have not seen 'Thalavattam' either, and I do not want to."
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The pain onscreen felt too real for a mother. She preferred films that showed his lighter side. She enjoyed ‘Kilukkam’ and even admitted that she walked out before the climax of ‘Chithram’ because she could not handle the emotional weight.
The woman behind the legend
Santhakumari Amma lived a quiet life away from public attention. She is a native of Elanthoor village in Pathanamthitta district. She was married to Viswanathan Nair, a retired government servant. After he got a job in Thiruvananthapuram, they relocated. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of her elder son Pyarilal in 2000 and her husband earlier, she remained a pillar of strength.
Tributes pour in from the film fraternity
As news of her passing spread, messages of condolence flooded social media; many celebrities, like
Kamal Haasan, wrote, "Brother @MohanLal, only you can console yourself." Friends will stand by you as always. No amount of comforting can compensate for a loss like this. Take care; we all love you. Kamal Haasan."
Chiranjeevi wrote, "My dear friend @Mohanlal, My heart goes out to you on the loss of your beloved Amma. A mother’s presence shapes us in ways words can never express, and her love stays with us forever as strength, comfort, and silent guidance. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May her soul rest in eternal peace."