Mohamallika Pillai (born 4 November 1954), better known as Mallika Sukumaran, is an Indian actress and businesswoman, known for her work in Malayalam cinema. She debuted in 1974 with the Malayalam film Utharayanam by G. Aravindan. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her role in the 1974 film Swapnadanam.
Mallika's first appearance on television was in a tele-serial by K. K. Rajeev called Peythozhiyathe. She won the Second Best Actress Award in the Kaveri Film Critics Television Awards (2004) for her role in the serial American Dreams. She is well known for playing both comedic and character roles. She made her debut in Tamil cinema with the 2008 film Vaazhthugal. Mallika has also acted in some advertisements and participated in some talk shows and game shows. She ran a restaurant in Doha.
Early life and family She was born as Mohamallika Pillai to Kainikkara Madhavan Pillai and Shobha as youngest among four children. Her father was a Gandhian and political activist, and was the younger brother of Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai and Kainikkara Kumara Pillai. She has an elder brother, M. Velayudhan Pillai and two elder sisters, Premachandrika and Ragalathika. She had her primary education from Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill. She pursued a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram.
Family tree
Film career Mallika made her acting debut in 1974 with the Malayalam film Utharayanam directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. She played the role of Radha. In the same year, she won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her role of Rosy Cherian in Swapnadanam. Later on, she was known for her antagonistic and comedic roles. In 1975, she acted in the film Boy Friend and later in Pichathikutappan (1979), directed by P. Venu. When she married the Malayalam actor Sukumaran, she left her acting career. She sang the song "Ormayundo" in P. P. Govindan's 1977 film Saritha, along with P. Jayachandran.
After a break, she returned to acting with the television serial Peythozhiyathe directed by K. K. Rajeev. Her future daughter-in-law Poornima Indrajith was also part of the cast, it was during its sets that her son Indrajith Sukumaran and Poornima met. Valayam, Snehadooram, Sthree Oru Santhwanam, Harichandhanam, American Dreams, Indhumukhi Chandhramathi and Porutham are some of her popular tele-serials. She also got a film-TV critics award for her role in the serial American Dreams.
Her first movie in her comeback is the Rajasenan movie Meghasandesham. Suresh Gopi was the hero of this movie. Her role in Ranjith's Ammakkilikkoodu was widely appreciated. Recently she has judged the popular reality show Amma Ammmayiyamma, telecasting on Kairali TV. She has acted in some advertisements also.
Her debut Tamil film was Vaazhthugal directed by Seeman. In 2016, she won the lifetime achievement award, Chalachithra Prathibha Award, by the Kerala Film Critics Association Award.
Personal life
After romancing for 10 years, she married then struggling actor Jagathy Sreekumar in 1976, eloping with him to Madras without the consent of her family. Mallika's family was against her decision. However, the couple legally separated in 1979. On 17 October 1978, she married Malayalam actor Sukumaran. After her second marriage, she retired from acting. Her sons Prithviraj Sukumaran and Indrajith Sukumaran are leading actors in Malayalam cinema. Actress and television anchor Poornima Indrajith is her daughter-in-law.
In 2012, she opened a beauty and skin clinic in Doha, along with her friend. She holds a residence permit in Doha. In 2013, she launched Spice Boat, a multicuisine restaurant at West Bay, Doha. She is the CEO and the Executive Chairperson of the restaurant. By 2016, the restaurant opened six more outlets around Doha. She has a villa in Doha. She has a house in her hometown of Thiruvananthapuram where she grew up. Her sons are settled in Kochi.
Filmography Films 1960s + Year Title Role Notes 1968 Karthika Devaki
1970s + List of Mallika Sukumaran 1970s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1974 Kanyakumari Tourist Vrindavanam Durga Karthikavilakku Nadeenadanmare Avasyamundu 1975 Boy Friend Married, mother of 3, fosters another Raagam Blind school teacher Makkal Patreesha Thaamarathoni Omanakkunju Kalyani Pennpada Ammukutty Hello Darling Leela Kottaaram Vilkkaanundu Priyamulla Sophia Uttarayanam Radha Love Letter Abhimaanam Thankam 1976 Anubhavam Eali Mohiniyaattam Ranjini Swapnadanam Rosy Cheriyan Chirikkudukka Appakari Mariya Light House Mallika Vazhivilakku Sudha Priyamvada Njavalppazhangal Sindooram 1977 Vidarunna Mottukal School teacher Poojakkedukkatha Pookkal Gomathi Jagadguru Aadisankaran Saraswati Aval Oru Devaalayam Annie Sreedevi Valsala Yudhakandam College girl Sneham Kaavilamma Sujatha Kunjamma Ashtamangalyam Shosha Agninakshathram Madhura Swapanam Harshabashpam Sreemad Bhagavad Geetha Sooryakanthi Vezhambal Nizhale Nee Sakshi Chakravarthini 1978 Aanappaachan Girly Premashilpi Bindu's mother Kaathirunna Nimisham Savithri Jayikkaanaay Janichavan Rani Madanolsavam Rajasekharan Thampi's wife Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Sumithra Aval Viswasthayayirunnu Lisy Etho Oru Swapnam Vijayamma Avalude Ravukal Raji's mother Mannu Naani Samayamaayilla Polum Mayavathi Vayanadan Thamban Beeyathu Padakuthira Uthrada Rathri Ashtamudikkaayal Mattoru Karnan Vyaamoham Onappudava 1979 Mochanam Karthyayani Maalika Paniyunnavar Meenakshi Raathrikal Ninakku Vendi Hridayathil Nee Mathram Hridhayathinte Nirangal Pichathy Kuttappan
1980s + List of Mallika Sukumaran 1980s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1980 Daaliya Pookkal 1981 Thrishna Kannamma 1984 Pyasa Shaitan Nabeesa Hindi Dubbed of Vayanadan Thamban 1985 Makan Ente Makan Chillu Kottaram
2000s + List of Mallika Sukumaran 2000s film credits Year Title Role Notes 2001 Megasandesam College Professor 2003 Sthithi Shakunthala Nair Ammakilikkoodu Saramma 2006 Vrindavanam 2007 Romeoo Lakshmikutty Chota Mumbai Roseley 2008 Vaazhthugal Kadhiravan's mother Tamil film Thirakkatha Sarojam 2009 Calendar Annamma Ivar Vivahitharayal Treesa's mother
2010s + List of Mallika Sukumaran 2010s film credits Year Title Role Notes 2010 Jayan, the Man behind the Legend Herself Documentary Ammanilavu 2011 PSC Balan 2012 Njanum Ente Familiyum Jaininte 2015 Oru Yathrayude Anthyam Arjun's mother Rockstar Alice 2018 Kuttanadan Marpappa Peter's mother Panchavarnathatha Kalesh's mother (Sreelatha) Ennaalum Sarath..? Dr. Sam's mother 2019 My Great Grandfather Michael's mother (Mary) Marconi Mathai Renu Love Action Drama Dinesh's mother - Lalitha Thrissur Pooram Adv. Rajalakshmi (Vakkeelamma)
2020s Year Title Role Notes 2021 Sara's Reethamma 2022 Bro Daddy John's Ammachi Released on Hotstar Bahumanichu Poyoramma Saraswathi Amma Short film Mahaveeryar Kaladevi Gold Joshi's mother 2023 Thalla Major Sara Mathews Short film Santhosham Leelammachi Kunjamminis Hospital Reetha Uthup Paalamattom (Ammamachi) Queen Elizabeth Gracy 2024 Jamalinte Punjiri Judge Bad Boyz Annie Teacher Njan Kandatha Sare 2025 Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal Savithri Amma Nancy Rani Yamuna Cake Story Valsala Club Achamma2026 Prakambanam Rukmini "Chembothamma" Albums as an actress 2020 : Ammakkorummma as Herself 2022 : Thanal Thedi as Amma
As assistant director Madanolsavam Kanyakumari 2 Sreekumaran Thampi's movies
As production controller Irakal Padayani
Playback singing Saritha (1977) - Ormayundo My Great Grandfather (2019) - Grandpa
As dubbing artist Adavukal Pahinettu (1978) for Seema Avalude Ravukal (1978) for Seema Vanisri's other language dubbing movies Hema Choudhary's other language dubbing movies Kalpana other language dubbing movies Tamaar Padaar (2014) as Vanitha; Pouran's mother (Voice only) 12th Man (2022) as Zakariah's mother (Voice only) Kaduva (2022) for Seema Alone (2023) as Neighbourhood aunty of Kalidas Gaganachari (2024) as voice of Alien Aliyamma
Television
• All the programs are television serials, unless otherwise mentioned. + List of Mallika Sukumaran television credits Year Title Channel Notes2001PeythoriyatheSurya TVas Mrinalini2001PoruthamSurya TV2001-2004ValayamDD Malayalamas Kanaka2001ThaaliSurya TV 2002Snehatheeram DD Malayalam2002InnaleAsianet2002SnehaAsianetProducer2002American DreamsAsianetas Sara2002-2003SnehadooramAsianet MaayaKairali TV2004Sthree Oru SanthwanamAsianetas Sethulakshmi2004Akkare AkkareSurya TV2004-2005Life is BeautifulAsianet2005Athira X CAmrita TVas Principal Telefilm2005-2006Summer in AmericaKairali TVas Reetha2005-2006Indhumukhi ChandramathiSurya TV2006Sathi LeelavathiAmrita TVas Maria 2007Veendum Chila Veettu VisheshangalAsianet as Malathy2008KoottukudumbamKairali TV as Shailaja2008-2009Enkilum Ente GopalakrishnaAsianetas Gomathiyamma2009RahasyamAsianet2010-2012HarichandanamAsianet as Draupathi2012-2013Amma Ammayiyamma Kairali TV Judge2013Amma Ammayiyamma 2Kairali TV Judge2014 Kudumbapuranam Jaihind TV2015-2016Indumukhi Chandramathi 2Surya TV2017Comedy stars season 2AsianetJudge2017 Salt N PepperKaumudy TVCelebrity presenter2019 Thakarppan ComedyMazhavil ManoramaJudge2019 – 2020KabaniZee Keralamas Kottaramuttam Parvathyamma2020 KoodathayiFlowers TVas Achamma Mathew2020–2021Life is beautiful season 2Asianetas Vinodhini2021 Parayam NedamAmrita TVas Participant2021Ente MaathavuSurya TVas Molly 2022–presentOru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper ChiriMazhavil Manorama Judge (Recurring)2022 MY G Flowers Oru KodiFlowers TVas Participant2022 Red CarpetAmrita TVas Mentor2022–2023 Surabhiyum SuhasiniyumFlowers TVas Suhasini2023 Comedy MastersAmrita TVas Judge2023Aniyathipraavu (TV series)Surya TV Herself; Guest appearance 2023Entamma SuperaaMazhavil ManoramaGrand finale jury 2024-2025 Surabhiyum Suhasiniyum 2Flowers TVas Suhasini 2025-2026 Happy CouplesAsianetas Susan 2026–present Ivar VivahitharayalAsianetas Soubhagya Das
References
External links