Stay strong, dear Lal: Mammootty condoles Mohanlal on his mother’s death

Malayalam superstar Mammootty on Wednesday shared a heartfelt message of support for his close friend and fellow actor Mohanlal following the passing of his mother, Santakumari. Expressing his grief, Mammootty said his heart felt heavy as he mourned the loss of someone who had meant so much to all of them. Posting on X, he wrote, “My heart feels heavy as we mourn the loss of someone who meant so much to all of us. Stay strong, dear Lal.”

Since news of Santakumari's demise broke on Tuesday, messages of condolence have poured in from across the film fraternity and political circles. Leading stars from multiple film industries reached out to Mohanlal, acknowledging the depth of his loss and offering words of comfort.

Actor Kamal Haasan, in a deeply personal note, reminded Mohanlal that such grief cannot truly be eased by words. “Brother @MohanLal, only you can console yourself. Friends will stand by you as always. No amount of comforting can compensate a loss like this. Take care, we all love you,” he wrote.

Kannada star Shivaraj Kumar also expressed his sorrow, saying that nothing could soften the pain of losing a mother. He added that Santakumari Amma would continue to be Mohanlal’s guiding light and assured him that he and his family were in his prayers. Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi echoed similar sentiments, writing that a mother’s presence shapes one’s life in ways words cannot capture, and that her love continues as strength and silent guidance long after she is gone.

Legendary playback singer K S Chithra was among those who paid tribute to Santakumari. Sharing a personal memory, Chithra recalled meeting her a few years ago and spoke of her warmth and affection. Calling her a loving and blessed soul, Chithra said she was deeply saddened by the loss and offered prayers for strength to the family.

Santakumari Amma passed away at the age of 90 after being bedridden for nearly a decade due to age-related ailments. Her death marks a deeply personal loss for Mohanlal, who was known to share an exceptionally close bond with his mother. Despite his demanding career and frequent travel, the actor consistently ensured that her care and comfort remained a priority. Mohanlal and his family were in Kochi at the time of her passing.

Born into a traditional household, Santakumari largely stayed away from the public eye even as her son rose to become one of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema. Those close to the family remember her as a quiet but strong presence, rooted in simplicity, devotion, and values that Mohanlal has often credited as shaping his life.