Philomina

Philomina Biography

Philomina was a character actress of Malayalam most known for movies like God father and Venkalam. She was most active in the industry during 90’s and through her flexible acting skills and dialogue delivery, she has entertained Kerala crowd a lot. She is most known for portraying comic roles and in most of them she appeared as a servant or illiterate lady. Later she appeared portraying roles of mother and grandmother. She easily carries negative shaded roles as well. Yet till now, her most perfect work is regarded as ‘Anappara Achamma’ of Godfather, the longest running movie of Malayalam cinema released in the year 1992. This movie was later remade to Hindi as Hulchul which marked the re-entry of Lakshmi of Julie fame reprising her role of ‘Anappara Achamma’. She had acted in more than 750 films in her career.

Philomena’s debut movie was Kuttikkupayam (1964), produced by T.E. Vasudevan and directed by M. Krishnan Nair was a big hit. This movie starred Prem Nazir and Ambika in leading roles. Though she was young, she portrayed the role of Prem Nazir’s mother. Before joining movies, she worked in theatre for 8 years where she got opportunity to work with great artists like P.J.Antony. Later she began to get type casted in mother’s role at her twenties, a practice that was carried away till her death in 2006. She has acted in 750 movies and a few television serials. Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum was her last movie.

Philomina won her first State award, for the best supporting actress, in 1970. She received it for her performances in the movies - Thurakkathavaathil and Olavum Theeravum. Second time she received it for Thaniyavarthanam in the year 1987. It was director Sathyan Anthikkad who first cast Philomina in a comic role (Madanmaar Londonil). A few of her memorable roles include - , Thalayanamandram, Kakkothikavile Appuppanthadikal Venkalam, Malayogam, Chatta, Innale, Manathe Kottaram, Vrudhanmaare Sookshikkuka, Njan Gandharvan, Kudumbapuranam, Godfather, Uppukandam Brothers, Churam, Vietnam Colony, Kireedam, Uncle Bun and In Harihar Nagar.

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Updated: October 23, 2013