The news of Mohanlal’s personal loss left a heavy cloud on the film community, which made them realize that living under the towering presence of an iconic film star brings with it a stable inner circle. On Tuesday (December 30), the iconic actress’ mother, Santhakumari Amma, breathed her last at the age of 90 after a long illness of which the complications were age-related, as per On Manorama. She was living at Mohanlal’s home at Elamakara in Kochi and often took walks in the vicinity. The news of her death has come as an outpouring of tributes by well-wishers, fans, and friends alike, owing to their profound love for the essence of her personality.
Santhakumari Amma’s journey and family background
Santhakumari Amma was the spouse of a retired government employee, Viswanathan Nair, who passed away some years ago. The family had its share of tragedy earlier when Santhakumari’s eldest son, Pyarilal, had passed away in 2000. However, she was always the guiding force for them. A grounded woman, she avoided public life while her younger son became a superstar in Indian cinema. For those who knew the family, Santhakumari Amma was a calming influence on Mohanlal the actor and the man he had become.
An enduring bond between Mohanlal and his mother
Mohanlal has the occasions of mentioning and acknowledging the power of his mother in his life. He has always acknowledged her unconditional support as the major driving force behind his successful career as an actor and king of the industry, stating that it was her encouragement that gave him the liberty to endure through the exhausting strain of a cinematic career. Even when faced with the most intense professional requirements, he made it a point to be available for her through his worldwide travel commitments. Their relationship came to the spotlight when he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in cinema. He later confessed that it was one of the biggest privileges of his life to be able to share it with her.
Santhakumari Amma’s final rites and an outpouring of condolences
While the family read a funeral for her on Wednesday, it was another tribute to a life well-lived and a natural death. The film industry will remember Mohanlal for his unforgettable performances, but here’s another bittersweet revelation: his biggest strength was his family. The legacy of Santhakumari Amma no longer runs just in his blood; it flows in the simplicity and values which Mohanlal’s life now embodies.
