Actress Mallika Sukumaran, mother of stars Indrajith and Prithviraj, recently opened up about how her late husband, Malayalam superstar Sukumaran, came into her life at a pivotal moment, effectively saving her from a challenging past.
A Difficult Past and a New Beginning
Mallika has always been candid about her life, often stating that it would have been “completely ruined” if Sukumaran hadn’t entered it. Before her marriage to the acclaimed actor, Mallika was briefly married to fellow actor Jagathy Sreekumar, a union that quickly ended.
During a 2022 interview with Manorama News, she reflected on the period after her first marriage. She explained that she would have struggled immensely to regain her identity, potentially having to return home to her family’s care.
“Afterwards, I might have gotten remarried and gone on a different path. But for sure, I couldn’t have thought of staying in the film industry,” she shared. She added that the “mental anguish” from her first marriage would have lingered, but Sukumaran shielded her from it, treating her “like a princess.”
Sukumaran: A Man of Principle
Mallika described Sukumaran as a “gem of a person,” despite his short temper. She highlighted that the film industry rarely saw the immense goodness in his heart. Sukumaran deeply detested lying and never flattered anyone, a trait that often made him misunderstood.
Addressing persistent accusations that she married him for his wealth, Mallika powerfully refuted these claims with evidence. She revealed that when they married, Sukumaran had a mere “Rs 4,695 in his Canara Bank account in Vadapalani.” At the time, he lived in a modest rented house, sharing it with other industry personalities like director IV Sasi.
From Comeback to Dedicated Motherhood
Sukumaran was instrumental in rekindling Mallika’s career. He helped her secure a pivotal opportunity to dub for actress Seema in the seminal 1978 Malayalam film, Avalude Ravukal. This role marked a significant turning point for her.
Shortly after this career boost, the couple married. Mallika eventually chose to retire from acting to dedicate herself to her family, a decision she made with Sukumaran by her side.
Prithviraj’s Heartfelt Tribute
Tragically, Sukumaran passed away in 1997 at the young age of 49 from a sudden heart attack. Mallika then bravely took on the responsibility of raising their two sons, Indrajith and Prithviraj, alone.
Prithviraj has frequently spoken with deep admiration for his mother’s resilience and strength. He describes her life story as “remarkable,” acknowledging the numerous challenges she faced, especially the public difficulty of her first marriage and its aftermath.
“During that time, like a fairy tale, Malayalam cinema’s biggest star fell in love with Amma,” Prithviraj once said. He recalled the shock of his father’s sudden death, which forced his mother, who had been a devoted wife and mother for 23 years, to instantly take charge.
He firmly believes that his mother’s unwavering strength was crucial. “If my mother had faltered, perhaps my brother and I wouldn’t be where we are today,” he concluded, emphasizing her profound impact on their lives and careers.
- Mallika Sukumaran attributes her current stability and identity to her late husband, Sukumaran, who supported her after a difficult first marriage.
- She revealed that Sukumaran had very limited funds when they married, disproving claims that she married him for money.
- Sukumaran helped restart her career before she chose to focus on raising their family.
- Their son, Prithviraj, credits his mother’s immense strength and resilience for his and his brother Indrajith’s success after their father’s untimely death.
