Kaviyoor Ponnamma passes away: Best films of the veteran actress to stream on Sun NXT

Kaviyoor Ponnamma, the legendary actress who is best known for her performances in Malayalam cinema, passed away. As per the reports, the senior actress was admitted to a private hospital in Kochi for over a month. The Kireedam actress breathed her last today evening (September 20, 2024), after a prolonged battle with cancer. Kaviyoor Ponnamma was married to producer KK Maniswami, who passed away in 2011. She is survived by her daughter Bindu.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma: Debut, film career, and more

The legendary actress, who was active in the Malayalam film industry for more than six decades and acted in over 700 films, was well-known for her portrayals of mother roles. Kaviyoor Ponnamma was born on January 4, 1944, as TP Damodaran and Gauri Amma's eldest daughter in Kaviyoor village of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Her younger sister, Kaviyoor Renuka, was also a notable actress. She started learning Carnatic classical music at the age of five. Later, Ponnamma made her acting debut with stage drama at the age of 14, with the celebrated play Mooladhanam, directed by legend Thoppil Bhasi.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma made her movie debut within a year, with the popular film Sree Rama Pattabhishekam, in which she played the role of Raavana’s wife Mandodari. Interestingly, the veteran actress was offered mother roles even when she was merely a teenager. Ponnamma played the onscreen mother of a leading man for the first time in Kudumbini, the 1964-released film. Later, the legendary artist established herself as the ideal face of quintessential loving Malayali mothers, on the silver screen.

The legendary actress is also well-known for the extraordinary camaraderie she shared with all her co-stars, right from Prem Nazir to Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.  However, it is her impeccable onscreen and off-screen rapport with Mohanlal, that made them the iconic onscreen mother-son duo of Malayalam cinema. Ponnamma played the superstar’s mother in over 50 films. Kaviyoor Ponnamma’s heartbreaking performance as the helpless mother of Balan Mash, played by Mammootty in Thaniyavarthanam, is also remembered by all Malayalam cinephiles. 

Also Read: 5 best Mammootty-Mohanlal films to stream on Sun NXT - Twenty Twenty, Padayottam, and more 

Kaviyoor Ponnamma films to stream on Sun NXT

If you wish to revisit Kaviyoor Ponnamma films on OTT, here we present the five best films of the legendary actress, that you can stream on the popular platforms Sun NXT and OTTplay Premium.

Thommante Makkal

Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who was just a 20-year-old, played the role of leading man Sathyan’s mother in this 1965-released film. Thommante Makkal, which featured Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as the titular character Thomman. Ponnamma, on the other hand, appeared in the role of his wife Achaamma, in the J Sasikumar directorial.

Ulladakkam

The 1991-released psychological thriller directed by Kamal featured Kaviyoor Ponnamma as the mother of Dr. Sunny, the central character played by Mohanlal. Even though the legendary actress had limited screen time in the film, their camaraderie with the Malayalam superstar is a treat to watch.

Also Read: Thenmavin Kombath re-release date: Mohanlal’s iconic film to hit the theatres on this day? 

Nattu Rajavu

Mohanlal and Kaviyoor Ponnamma reunited for the 2004-released Shaji Kailas film, Nattu Rajavu. The superstar played the role of Pulikkattil Charlie, a businessman from Travancore, who overcompensates for the cruelties done by his late father Pulikkattil Mathachan (Mahadevan). Ponnamma played the role of Annamma, the mother of Charlie, the survivor of a highly abusive married life.

Ammakilikkoodu

The emotional drama film directed by Ranjith marked Kaviyoor Ponnamma’s reunion with Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair, after the massive success of Nandanam. The 2003-released film featured the veteran actress in the role of Marykutty Teacher, one of the inmates of Karunalayam, a retirement home which is in a bad financial condition.

Chottanikkara Amma

This 1976-released devotional film directed by Crossbelt Mani, featured late actress Sri Vidya in the titular role. Kaviyoor Ponnamma, on the other hand, essayed the role of a staunch devottee of the Goddess in the film.