Painful, says Mohanlal, reminiscing screen memories with Kayiyoor Ponnamma

Kochi: As veteran actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma passes away, actors and actresses pay homage to the 'mother of Malayalam cinema.' Megastar Mohanlal fondly recalls his close association with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, with whom he shared many intimate moments on screen as her son in several films.  

Pain is so deep, words irrelevant

One after the other, dear ones walk out from the screen of life. Nedumudi Venu chettan, Lalitha chechi, Innocent… now, Ponnamma chechi also. I stand heartbroken, watching these loved ones, who were so close to me, disappear from the stage. The pain runs deep, rendering words irrelevant.

Ponnamma chechi acted as my mother in most of my films. I don’t know how it happened; for me, it was an inexplicable coincidence. The news of her passing reached me while I was busy with post-production work on my upcoming movie, "Barroz." I took a break and closed my eyes, memories flooding back, with so many roles we shared as mother and son. I could say I grew up in films under the shade of this 'mother tree.'

She always called me ‘kutta’ and never anything else. Such was her love for me. It might have been this motherly affection that allowed the audience to feel the natural rhythm between us, a real mother and son.

I visited her during her illness. It was painful to watch her struggle with fading memories. It was an unbearable sight. Still, she said something to me that I’ll carry in my heart.

“When dear ones depart, we lose not only their physical presence, but also the love they poured over us.” As Ponnamma chechi leaves this world, I feel the unstoppable  flow of love from her heart towards me has been cut off. I feel as if I’ve lost my mother. The tears filling my eyes are those of a real son.