Veteran actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma, a beloved figure in the Malayalam film industry, passed away on Friday evening at a private hospital. The 80-year-old actress, famous for her iconic roles as a mother and grandmother in countless films, had been battling health issues for some time. 


Kaviyoor Ponnamma's film journey


Ponnamma's journey in the entertainment world began in the late 1950s with Malayalam drama, before transitioning to cinema. Over the decades, she became the go-to actress for maternal roles, starring alongside industry legends like Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Suresh Gopi. Throughout her illustrious career, Ponnamma graced over 700 films, predominantly in Malayalam. Her final film appearance was in 2022, after which she went away from the limelight due to age-related health complications. 


Ponnamma lived a quiet life in her later years following the passing of her husband in 2011. She is survived by her daughter, who resides in the United States. In recent weeks, her health deteriorated, confining her to a hospital bed.


Malayalam film industry on Ponnamma's death


The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, with many expressing their grief. 


Actress Navya Nair shared her sorrow at not being able to visit Ponnamma during her illness. “I feel really sad that I was not able to see her. I used to call her ‘Ponnu’ and it was real fun and frolic when I was with her during shoots. She was like a real mother and not a filmy mother,” Nair told IANS. 


Award-winning actress Urvasi fondly remembered Ponnamma as "Ponnu aunty" and a close friend of her own mother. “For me she was Ponnu aunty and was a good friend of my mother. They had a very close relationship and I was the beneficiary and she liked me a lot. She lived not like a screen mother but as heroine. She was a foodie and used the best of cosmetics and she often used to advise me. I remember once she got really angry when someone on the set did not give me due respect. She will always remain in my memories,” Urvasi was quoted as saying by IANS.


Ponnamma and Mohanlal's collaboration


At the peak of her career, Ponnamma faced stiff competition from contemporaries like Sukumari and KPAC Lalitha, but her collaboration with superstar Mohanlal in films like Thenmavin Kombathu and Kireedom are considered iconic, with the duo working together in nearly 50 films. 


Throughout her career, Ponnamma earned numerous accolades, including prestigious Kerala State Film Awards. She was also a familiar face on television. Despite rumours last year that she had been abandoned by her family, Ponnamma firmly denied these claims, clarifying that she was living with her younger brother. 


According to IANS, the final rites will be arranged by her daughter, who is currently based in the U.S.