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When Many Believed Kaviyoor Ponnamma Was ‘Actual’ Mother Of Mohanlal

In "Kanneer Poovinte" song from the Kireedam movie, there is a portion 'Unni Kidaavin Nalkaan Amma Nenjil Paalazhi Yendi' in which she shares a beloving memory with his son when they were about to dine together at their home which was a masterpiece scene that is capable of breaking our heart and burying our souls due to their inexplicable acting skills.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma Written by
When Many Believed Kaviyoor Ponnamma Was ‘Actual’ Mother Of Mohanlal

The Enduring Legacy of Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Mohanlal's 'Mother.'

As we bid farewell to the veteran actor  Kaviyoor Ponnamma who recently died at 79, we fondly remember her illustrious career and unmatching on-screen chemistry with superstar Mohanlal as an unforgettable mother-son duo which left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema.

Their heartwarming on-screen parent-son relationship has captured the hearts of audiences making their films together truly unforgettable. Ponnamma and Mohanlal forged a legendary on-screen partnership acting in over 50 films together. It still continues to inspire new generations that the roles convinced many viewers they were a real mother-son duo on account of their outstanding alchemy. There are times in our childhood when we believed that they are actual mom and son.

All these 50 movies in which the duo acted have showcased their unparalleled talent and camaraderie. She had mentioned in many interviews that she considers Mohanlal as her son, and Mohanlal vice versa.

Now, Let’s delve into some of their exceptional mother-son duo movies in Malayalam:

  • Bharatam (1986)
  • Adhipan (1986)
  • Irupatham Noottandu (1987)
  • Kireedam (1989)
  • Ulsavapitenn (1989)
  • Dasharatham (1989)
  • Maya Mayooram (1990)
  • Kadathanadan Ambadi (1990)
  • Kizhakunarum Pakshi (1991)
  • Ulladakkam (1991)
  • Vietnam Colony (1992)
  • Gandharvam (1993)
  • Mr. Brahmachari (2002)
  • Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu (2003)
  • Natturajavu (2004)
  • Vadakkum Nathan (2006)
  • Oppam (2016)

Apart from these, there are many movies in which this exquisite pair flaunted the mother-son chemistry. But in these, Kireedam has a special place in everyone’s heart. The intricate nuances and subtle relationship between a mother and son have blended so meticulously in the Kireedam movie that Kaviyoor Ponnamma herself shared a fonding memory of the film and her combo with Mohanlal in an old interview.


Talking about songs they shared, ‘Kai Niraye Venna Taram’ from the Malayalam movie Baba Kalyani released in 2007 was considered an anthem to showcase love between mom and son at times and even for many years after its release. In “Kanneer Poovinte” song from the Kireedam movie, there is a portion ‘Unni Kidaavin Nalkaan Amma Nenjil Paalazhi Yendi’ in which she shares a beloving memory with his son when they were about to dine together at their home which was a masterpiece scene that is capable of breaking our heart and burying our souls due to their inexplicable acting skills. This has been marked as an etching memory for everyone who sees Mohanlal and Kaviyoor Ponnama as actual mother and son.

When she left the Malayalam film industry acting in over 400 films in great roles, Mohanlal expressed his deepest condolences for this legendary actress who earned the title “mother of Malayalam cinema.” He reminisced about her enduring legacy and the invaluable impact on the industry along with his personal experiences with her in a mourning note on Facebook.

He wrote: “This is a painful farewell, a separation that feels like losing my mother. My beloved Ponnamma Chechi showered me with a mother’s love, both on and off screen, forever. To our dear Malayalam audience, we were mother and son and that bond will remain eternally. Every film we did together reinforced the truth that no matter the passage of time a son remains a son to his mother.

I never just acted as a son alongside Ponnamma Chechi; I lived it. Films like Kireedam, Bharatam, Vietnam Colony, Dasharatham, Natturajavu, Vadakkum Nathan, Kizhakunarum Pakshi, Oppam, and many more – in each one, Ponnamma Chechi embodied motherhood. Even when I wasn’t playing her son, she called me ‘mone’ (son) and ran to me just like the character in His Highness Abdullah. That’s how she was in life, too. I cannot pay homage to Chechi with mere words; she will forever be in my memories filled with that selfless maternal love.”

Also, read| Kaviyoor Ponnamma, ‘Mother Of All’ In Malayalam Cinema, Dies Aged 79

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Kaviyoor Ponnamma Kaviyoor ponnamma mohanlal Kaviyoor ponnamma mohanlal Films Kaviyoor ponnamma mohanlal Movies Kireedam movie mohanlal

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