On Tuesday, Santhakumari, mother of legendary actor Mohanlal, passed away. She was 90 years of age. She had been unwell for a long time due to age-related health issues. Before death, she was staying at Mohanlal’s residence in Elamakkara, Kochi where she was under constant care.
Santhakumari: A life rooted in family
Santhakumari lived a life defined by resilience and devotion to her family. Her husband Viswanathan Nair passed away earlier after a long period of illness.
Their elder son, Pyarilal, died in 2000.
Despite personal hardships, Santhakumari remained the emotional pillar of the household.
Mohanlal and his bond with his mother Santhakumari
Amma ❤️ pic.x.com/Q6vsqmCemV
— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) May 11, 2025
Even with decades of stardom and a packed global schedule, Mohanlal always made time for his mother.
Friends and colleagues have often spoken about how he ensured she was comfortable. According to them, he made sure she was surrounded by care no matter where work took him.
Mohanlal himself has openly acknowledged that his mother played key role in shaping not just his personal values, but also his journey as actor.
From discipline to empathy, he often credited her for lessons that guided him through four decades of cinema.
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When Mohanlal fondly talked about his mother
One of the most touching moments Mohanlal shared with fans was when he spoke about receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He once said that his biggest happiness was being able to share that honour with his mother.
In fact, after learning about the award, the first person he went to see was her.
During the nationwide lockdown in 2020, when Mohanlal turned 60, he spoke emotionally about being away from his mother. In an interview, he shared how they stayed connected through daily video calls and how helpless he felt about the distance.
He also spoke about watching his mother care for his father after he lost his memory holding his hand, feeding him, and standing by him at public events.
Those moments, Mohanlal said, taught him kindness without effort and care without conditions.
Santhakumari’s passing comes just days after the release of Mohanlal’s film ‘Vrusshabha’ on December 25, 2025.