Shailaja P Ambu defends Dhyan Sreenivasan amidst criticism

Theatre artist and actress Shailaja P Ambu has come forward in support of Dhyan Sreenivasan, who faced criticism from some individuals for not standing up when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived to pay his last respects to the late actor Sreenivasan. Some people had accused Dhyan of being disrespectful, claiming he failed to show proper regard, even for the Chief Minister’s age.

In response, Shailaja emphasised that the emotional turmoil of a son mourning the death of his father should not be judged through the lens of formalities or hierarchical structures. In her social media post, she addressed the allegations against Dhyan, presenting a compassionate perspective on the situation. Her heartfelt message also celebrated the values Sreenivasan instilled in his children.

"When the person you love most in the world is lying lifeless before you, you may not even notice the presence of others—whether it's the Chief Minister, the Prime Minister, or even the President of the United States," Shailaja wrote. "In such moments, all a person can do is grieve deeply, embracing their loved ones. This was evident when we saw actors like Sathyan Anthikad, who do not fit the typical image of ‘manliness,’ crying in agony. Many may question whether men cry. Yes, they do. This is what it means to be human, and Sreenivasan raised his children to be genuine, compassionate individuals."

Shailaja’s post resonated with a majority of social media users, who urged people not to equate the profound emotional pain and physical exhaustion a person experiences when grieving a loved one with the rigid protocols of governance. Many netizens pointed out that such controversies are unnecessary, especially at a time when Kerala is still mourning the loss of a beloved artist like Sreenivasan.