‘Kamal sir used to carry me around the sets and feed me my favourite snack’: Tejalakshmi

Tejalakshmi, daughter of actors Urvashi and Manoj K. Jayan, who is about to make her acting debut, shared a heartwarming childhood memory with Kamal on social media.

“It’s 2001. I was a baby, and apparently I was on the sets of the film Panchathanthiram with my mother. I’m told I wasn’t a cranky child most of the time, but on the days I was, Kamal sir would carry me around the set and feed me my favorite snack so I wouldn’t cry. This is a story I’ve heard and known all my life, even though I don’t remember it myself, because I was just a baby then.

Cut to…

It’s the SIIMA Awards 2025. I’m sitting next to my mother, and right beside her is Kamal sir. While she was busy going up on stage, she kind of forgot to introduce me to him. Every other minute, I’d sneak a look at him, mentally preparing myself to go up and say hi. I was so scared, though—I wouldn’t lie. He also had to leave the event early due to his busy schedule, and that day I actually cried, telling my mom, ‘I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t even say hi to him. He was right here, and I just kept staring. I regret it so much. I was scared.’

My mom simply said, ‘It’s okay, Mole. Don’t worry about it. He remembers you, and we’ll definitely go meet him at his office someday.’ From that moment on, all I did was pray every single day that I’d get to meet him soon, that ‘someday’ would come very soon.

Cut to…

That day finally came! I couldn’t be more excited and grateful. I met him for less than ten minutes, but let me tell you, those ten minutes felt like ten years. It meant everything to me. I felt every emotion possible, and more than anything, I felt deeply grateful. Life really has a beautiful way of completing circles when the time is right, and in moments like these, I’m reminded why I’ll always be grateful for this life.

Elorkkum Iniya Pongal Nal Vaazhthukkal.

The photo has been lapped up by cinephiles, with comments pouring in—most notably from her father, Manoj K. Jayan, who wished her luck for everything she wants to achieve in life going forward.

Tejalakshmi is set to make her debut with Sundariyayaval Stella and is also expected to share screen space with her mother in another promising project.