‘We will not give up; not now, not ever’: Abhirami Suresh stands strong for sister Amrutha and niece

Kochi: Singer Abhirami Suresh has come to the defence of her sister, Amrutha Suresh, amid ongoing family disputes. In a recent social media post, Abhirami expressed her anger over the situation, stating that Amrutha has endured a lot and questioned whether anyone could respect a father who mistreats the mother of his child.

The complete version of Abhirami’s note

“Normally, I would address this through a video, but today I am broken. I am emotionally wrecked, and I can’t bring myself to put on a brave face and speak out loud. I’ve lost faith in the very people I’ve tried to uplift with my positivity, and it’s devastating. The reason for this message is to share an excruciating truth, one that has pushed me beyond the edge of disbelief and sorrow.

Recently, a string of lies has been spread about my niece, a 12-year-old child, and the cruelty of it is unbearable. A false claim was made that she visited her father when he was bedridden in the hospital, asking for a laptop as he lay sick. While it is true that she visited him, this specific conversation never happened. This was a twisted fabrication aimed at tarnishing her image and breaking her spirit. This wasn’t just a minor misunderstanding - this was a deliberate attempt to portray an innocent child as manipulative and greedy. And for what? To add yet another wound to an already shattered family?

Our children today are not like those of previous generations. From the age of one or two, they are exposed to mobile phones and tablets, and by the time they are four, they are already navigating the digital world with ease through online classes. They are technologically aware, savvy, and know how to express themselves in ways we couldn’t even imagine at their age. Our child is no different. She is a vlogger by her own choice and finds joy in creating videos whenever she feels comfortable and within her own zone. She’s not just a passive child unaware of what’s happening around her - she’s engaged, articulate, and deeply aware of the reality she lives in.

The most painful part is how people have completely disregarded her truthful statements, dismissing them by claiming that her mother brainwashed her. They say that a child at the age of two or three cannot remember traumatic events. But this is not true. It is a well-documented fact, backed by psychology and psychiatry, that traumatic experiences, even at such a young age, leave lasting impressions on a child's mind. These memories are not erased simply because a child grows older. Instead, they stay, sometimes hidden but always present, and when triggered, they resurface, sharp and clear. Our child did not forget because she was never given the chance to. After the initial traumatic events, she continued to live in an environment where her father inflicted further pain on the family during the divorce proceedings and beyond. She was even physically dragged into court - an experience no child should ever have to endure. These constant reminders made it impossible for her to bury those painful memories. So, no, this was not something implanted in her mind. It was her reality, and she had the courage to speak about it.

What hurts even more is that instead of being believed, she was judged and vilified. People chose to side with her abuser, claiming she was too young to remember, too young to know the truth. But she knew, and she spoke because she understood that no one else would. Her brave act was not a result of anyone forcing her or manipulating her. It was the courageous decision of a child who saw her mother being attacked and decided to stand up for her. She did this knowing full well that people would question and attack her, but she did it anyway, because that’s the kind of strength she has.

My sister has suffered enough. After a traumatic marriage at the age of 18 or 19 that nearly broke her, she tried to rebuild her life. She, like many women in her position, made choices that may not have been perfect, but they were choices born out of a desperate need for peace and love. Trauma doesn’t leave you with a clear mind. It distorts your judgement, and sometimes you reach for whatever seems like solace. That’s what she did, and when she realised it was wrong, she stepped away. She did not run from her responsibilities. She did not abandon her family. She was always there, protecting us, supporting us, even when she was struggling herself.

The worst part is that the same people who judged her for trying to find happiness after years of suffering are now choosing to side with her abuser. They believe his lies, they amplify his voice, and they turn their backs on a woman who has done nothing but try to survive, try to protect her family, and try to move forward. You think smiling in a few photos, or reflecting the behaviour of someone she was with, is a crime? You think that’s worth all this hate? She chose herself for once, after years of neglect and pain, and you condemn her for it?

The truth is, she committed no crime. She did nothing but seek peace after years of torment, and when that peace turned into something harmful, she walked away. Yet, she is now vilified, mocked, and tormented by the very people who should have supported her. When her previous partner dragged her into the public eye, subjected her to ridicule and moral abuse, where were you? Where were you when she was crying alone, holding her family together while being shredded apart by your judgement? You were too busy listening to his lies, too busy fueling the fire of his cruelty.

And now that our father is no more, we have no choice but to play the role of both man and woman in our family. When we reach out to the public for support, all we encounter is blind mockery and ruthless ridicule, fueled by years of manipulation and deceit from certain people. We are left with no other option but to stand up and fight, because we have a young child and an elderly mother to care for. We will fight till our last breath. And if you want to see us fail, you can try taking that breath away from us. But know this: the world will hear us loud and clear. This suffering is on your hands.

Despite all of this, we will not give up. We will fight for this brave little girl who stood up for her mother when no one else did. We will fight for our wonderful mother, who has cried and suffered through years of unimaginable pain, who has held us together despite everything. She is over 60, and she has endured more than most people can comprehend. She deserves peace, she deserves love, and she deserves to be free from this constant attack on her dignity and her family.

We may have flaws, we may have made mistakes, but none of that justifies the hell we’ve been put through. We have suffered, and we have struggled, but we will not back down. We will keep fighting, because this is not just about us—this is about standing up against the cruelty and injustice that has been inflicted on too many women and children.

We will not give up. Not now, not ever. We will continue to fight, to stand up for what is right, and to protect our family from those who wish to tear us apart. Because if we don’t, who will?”

The beginning of the controversy

The controversy began when actor Bala accused his ex-wife, Amrutha, of keeping their daughter away from him after their divorce. In various interviews, Bala claimed that Amrrutha was neglecting his rights as a father and not allowing him to see their daughter.

In response to these accusations, their daughter publicly defended her mother, stating that Bala’s claims were untrue. Amrutha Suresh also spoke out about Bala’s behaviour.