Veteran Actress Shanthakumari Reveals How False Rumors Ruined Her Career and How Mohanlal Helped Her
Veteran Malayalam actress Shanthakumari has opened up about the dark side of the film industry, revealing how a malicious rumor spread by an insider cost her five years of her career. The actress disclosed that a false story about her suffering from a severe heart condition and being bedridden was intentionally spread, leading to her losing several major film projects, including a scheduled role in the movie Thuruppugulan for which she had already allocated dates.
During this challenging five-year hiatus, Shanthakumari survived in a hostel room, relying solely on a monthly allowance of ₹2,000 from the AMMA association to pay her rent, along with occasional financial assistance from kind-hearted production crew members. The rumor was fabricated by an unnamed woman in the industry, taking advantage of a time when the late actress Sukumari was actually recovering from heart surgery. To clear her name and prove she was fit for work, Shanthakumari eventually had to call a press conference to publicly declare that she was healthy and alive.
Facing severe financial distress and lacking a home, Shanthakumari traveled from Vyttila to a shooting location in Edakochi to meet superstar Mohanlal. Despite being initially blocked at the gate, Mohanlal spotted her, welcomed her warmly, and promised to build her a house. Through the joint efforts of Mohanlal and actress Seema G. Nair, a house was constructed on land provided by Shanthakumari’s younger daughter. Shanthakumari, who won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her debut film Chuvanna Vithukal in 1977, remains a respected figure despite the industry’s neglect.
