Mohamallika Pillai (born 4 November 1954[3]), better known as Mallika Sukumaran, is an Indian actress and businesswoman, known for her works 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 Sukumaran
Born
Mohamallika Pillai

(1954-11-04) 4 November 1954 (age 71)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • businesswoman
  • dubbing artist
Years active1974–present
Spouse
Children
Relatives

Mallika's first appearance in 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

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She was born as Mohamallika Pillai to Kainikkara Madhavan Pillai and Shobha as youngest among four children.[4] Her father was a Gandhian and political activist, and was the younger brother of Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai and Kainikkara Kumara Pillai.[2] 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.[5]

Family tree

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Jagathy SreekumarMallika SukumaranSukumaran
Indrajith SukumaranPoornima IndrajithPrithviraj SukumaranSupriya Menon
Prarthana IndrajithNakshatra IndrajithAlankritha Menon Prithviraj

Film career

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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.[6][7] 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.[3]

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.[8] 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.[9]

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.[citation needed] In 2016, she won the lifetime achievement award, Chalachithra Prathibha Award, by the Kerala Film Critics Association Award.[10]

Personal life

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Mallika with her son Prithviraj Sukumaran and granddaughter Prarthana Indrajith at an event in 2009

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.[2] However, the couple legally separated in 1979.[citation needed] On 17 October 1978, she married Malayalam actor Sukumaran. After her second marriage, she retired from acting.[11] Her sons Prithviraj Sukumaran and Indrajith Sukumaran are leading actors in Malayalam cinema.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] She has a villa in Doha.[5] She has a house in her hometown of Thiruvananthapuram where she grew up. Her sons are settled in Kochi.[15]

Filmography

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Films

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1960s

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List of Mallika Sukumaran 1960s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1968KarthikaDevaki

1970s

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List of Mallika Sukumaran 1970s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1974KanyakumariTourist
Vrindavanam
Durga
Karthikavilakku
Nadeenadanmare Avasyamundu
1975Boy FriendMarried, mother of 3, fosters another
RaagamBlind school teacher
MakkalPatreesha
Thaamarathoni
OmanakkunjuKalyani
PennpadaAmmukutty
Hello DarlingLeela
Kottaaram Vilkkaanundu
Priyamulla Sophia
UttarayanamRadha
Love Letter
AbhimaanamThankam
1976AnubhavamEali
MohiniyaattamRanjini
SwapnadanamRosy Cheriyan
ChirikkudukkaAppakari Mariya
Light HouseMallika
VazhivilakkuSudha
Priyamvada
Njavalppazhangal
Sindooram
1977Vidarunna MottukalSchool teacher
Poojakkedukkatha PookkalGomathi
Jagadguru AadisankaranSaraswati
Aval Oru DevaalayamAnnie
SreedeviValsala
YudhakandamCollege girl
Sneham
Kaavilamma
SujathaKunjamma
AshtamangalyamShosha
Agninakshathram
Madhura Swapanam
Harshabashpam
Sreemad Bhagavad Geetha
Sooryakanthi
Vezhambal
Nizhale Nee Sakshi
Chakravarthini
1978AanappaachanGirly
PremashilpiBindu's mother
Kaathirunna NimishamSavithri
Jayikkaanaay JanichavanRani
MadanolsavamRajasekharan Thampi's wife
Kudumbam Namukku SreekovilSumithra
Aval ViswasthayayirunnuLisy
Etho Oru SwapnamVijayamma
Avalude RavukalRaji's mother
MannuNaani
Samayamaayilla PolumMayavathi
Vayanadan ThambanBeeyathu
Padakuthira
Uthrada Rathri
Ashtamudikkaayal
Mattoru Karnan
Vyaamoham
Onappudava
1979MochanamKarthyayani
Maalika PaniyunnavarMeenakshi
Raathrikal Ninakku Vendi
Hridayathil Nee Mathram
Hridhayathinte Nirangal
Pichathy Kuttappan

1980s

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List of Mallika Sukumaran 1980s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1980Daaliya Pookkal
1981ThrishnaKannamma
1984Pyasa ShaitanNabeesaHindi Dubbed of Vayanadan Thamban
1985Makan Ente Makan
Chillu Kottaram

2000s

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List of Mallika Sukumaran 2000s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2001MegasandesamCollege Professor
2003SthithiShakunthala Nair
AmmakilikkooduSaramma
2006Vrindavanam
2007RomeooLakshmikutty
Chota MumbaiRoseley
2008VaazhthugalKadhiravan's motherTamil film
ThirakkathaSarojam
2009CalendarAnnamma
Ivar VivahitharayalTreesa's mother

2010s

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List of Mallika Sukumaran 2010s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2010Jayan, the Man behind the LegendHerselfDocumentary
Ammanilavu
2011PSC Balan
2012Njanum Ente FamiliyumJaininte
2015Oru Yathrayude AnthyamArjun's mother
RockstarAlice
2018Kuttanadan MarpappaPeter's mother
PanchavarnathathaKalesh's mother (Sreelatha)
Ennaalum Sarath..?Dr. Sam's mother
2019My Great GrandfatherMichael's mother (Mary)
Marconi MathaiRenu
Love Action DramaDinesh's mother - Lalitha
Thrissur PooramAdv. Rajalakshmi (Vakkeelamma)

2020s

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Year Title Role Notes
2021Sara'sReethamma[16][17]
2022Bro DaddyJohn's AmmachiReleased on Hotstar[18][17]
Bahumanichu PoyorammaSaraswathi AmmaShort film
MahaveeryarKaladevi[19]
GoldJoshi's mother[20]
2023ThallaMajor Sara MathewsShort film[citation needed]
SanthoshamLeelammachi[21]
Kunjamminis HospitalReetha Uthup Paalamattom (Ammamachi)
Queen ElizabethGracy[22]
2024Jamalinte PunjiriJudge[23]
Bad BoyzAnnie Teacher[24]
Njan Kandatha Sare[25]
2025Vyasanasametham BandhumithradhikalSavithri Amma[26][27]
Nancy RaniYamuna[28]
Cake Story[29]
Valsala ClubAchamma[30]
2026 PrakambanamRukmini "Chembothamma"[31]
Albums as an actress
  • 2020 : Ammakkorummma as Herself
  • 2022 : Thanal Thedi as Amma[citation needed]
As assistant director
As production controller
  • Irakal
  • Padayani

Playback singing

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  • Saritha (1977) - Ormayundo
  • My Great Grandfather (2019) - Grandpa

As dubbing artist

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  • 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[32]

Television

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• All the programs are television serials, unless otherwise mentioned.

List of Mallika Sukumaran television credits
Year Title Channel Notes
2001PeythoriyatheSurya TVas Mrinalini
2001PoruthamSurya TV
2001-2004ValayamDD Malayalamas Kanaka
2001ThaaliSurya TV
2002SnehatheeramDD Malayalam
2002InnaleAsianet
2002SnehaAsianetProducer
2002American DreamsAsianetas Sara
2002-2003SnehadooramAsianet
MaayaKairali TV
2004Sthree Oru SanthwanamAsianetas Sethulakshmi
2004Akkare AkkareSurya TV
2004-2005Life is BeautifulAsianet
2005Athira X CAmrita TVas Principal Telefilm
2005-2006Summer in AmericaKairali TVas Reetha
2005-2006Indhumukhi ChandramathiSurya TVas Chandramathi
Dubbed into Tamil in the same name
2006Sathi LeelavathiAmrita TVas Maria
2007Veendum Chila Veettu VisheshangalAsianetas Malathy
2008KoottukudumbamKairali TVas Shailaja
2008-2009Enkilum Ente GopalakrishnaAsianetas Gomathiyamma
2009RahasyamAsianet
2010-2012HarichandanamAsianetas Draupathi
2012-2013Amma AmmayiyammaKairali TVJudge
2013Amma Ammayiyamma 2Kairali TVJudge
2014KudumbapuranamJaihind TV
2015-2016Indumukhi Chandramathi 2Surya TVSequel to Indumukhi Chandramthi
as Chandramathi
2017Comedy stars season 2AsianetJudge
2017Salt N PepperKaumudy TVCelebrity presenter
2019Thakarppan ComedyMazhavil ManoramaJudge
2019 – 2020KabaniZee Keralamas Kottaramuttam Parvathyamma
2020KoodathayiFlowers TVas Achamma Mathew
2020–2021Life is beautiful season 2Asianetas Vinodhini
2021Parayam NedamAmrita TVas Participant
2021Ente MaathavuSurya TVas Molly
2022–presentOru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper ChiriMazhavil ManoramaJudge (Recurring)
2022MY G Flowers Oru KodiFlowers TVas Participant
2022Red CarpetAmrita TVas Mentor
2022–2023Surabhiyum SuhasiniyumFlowers TVas Suhasini
2023Comedy MastersAmrita TVas Judge
2023Aniyathipraavu (TV series)Surya TVHerself; Guest appearance
2023Entamma SuperaaMazhavil ManoramaGrand finale jury
2024-2025Surabhiyum Suhasiniyum 2Flowers TVas Suhasini[33]
2025-2026Happy CouplesAsianetas Susan[34]
2026–presentIvar VivahitharayalAsianetas Soubhagya Das[35]

References

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  1. "Quilon Gazetteer". Archive.org. 1975. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Manorama News (14 April 2022). 'ഞാന്‍ ഉദേശിച്ച രീതിയിലുള്ള കുടുംബ ജീവിതമായിരുന്നില്ല അത്'; ജീവിതം പറഞ്ഞ് മല്ലിക. Retrieved 19 April 2025 via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 Entertainment desk (6 November 2020). "മക്കളും കൊച്ചുമക്കളും ചേര്‍ന്ന് ആഘോഷമാക്കിയ പിറന്നാള്‍; ചിത്രങ്ങള്‍". Indian Express Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  4. "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". cinidiary.com.
  5. 1 2 രൂപാ ദയാബ്ജി. "അതു വിട്ടുകളയുക, എല്ലാം ശരിയാകും! മല്ലിക മടങ്ങിയെത്തിയപ്പോൾ അച്ഛൻ പറഞ്ഞത്" (in Malayalam). Vanitha. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  6. TimesofIndia.com (4 November 2021). "Prithviraj and Indrajith wishes mom Mallika Sukumaran on her birthday". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. ":: Mallika Sukumaran mother of Prithviraj South Indian Bold Actor Malayalam, Tamil, movie, cinema". Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  8. TimesofIndia.com (9 March 2021). "Did you know Poornima and Indrajith met each other via Mallika Sukumaran?". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. "Kerala News : TV critics' awards announced". The Hindu. 19 February 2005.[dead link]
  10. Express News Service (27 May 2016). "Malayalam Actor Innocent gets Chalachithra Rathnam Award". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. Mathrubhumi (20 February 2020). "എന്തൊരു സുന്ദരിയാണ് അമ്മ, അപൂർവചിത്രം പങ്കുവെച്ച് ഇന്ദ്രജിത്തും പൂർണിമയും". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  12. "അമ്മയായും അമ്മായിയമ്മയായും, Interview - Mathrubhumi Movies". Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  13. Times News Network (10 January 2017). "Mallika Sukumaran to settle in Doha". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  14. "Restaurant opens five new outlets". Gulf Times. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  15. "Mallika Sukumaran is not ready to leave Thiruvananthapuram for these reasons". Keralakaumudi Daily. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  16. "Sara's choice". The Times of India. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  17. 1 2 "Prithviraj Sukumaran On Directing "Greatest Ever Mom" Mallika And "All-Time Great Actor" Mohanlal In Bro Daddy". NDTV. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  18. "Prithviraj is overjoyed to direct Mohanlal and his mother Mallika Sukumaran in Bro Daddy, see photo". The Indian Express. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  19. "'Mahaveeryar' trailer is out and there is no doubt the film is different". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  20. "Gold Movie Review: Prithviraj, Nayanthara and Alphonse Puthren's film could have been a short film". India Today. December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  21. "Anu Sithara is a protective sister like her character in 'Santhosham'". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  22. "Meera Jasmine and Narain's Queen Elizabeth gets a release date". Cinema Express. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  23. "Jamalinte Punjiri To Sree Muthappan, 3 Malayalam Films Releasing This Week". News18. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  24. "It's a wrap for Omar Lulu's 'Bad Boyz'". The Times Of India. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  25. Santhosh, Vivek (8 November 2024). "Indrajith Sukumaran-starrer Njan Kandatha Sare gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  26. Service, Express News (16 November 2024). "Anaswara, Siju Sunny and others in 'Vysanasametham Bandhumithradhikal'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  27. "Anaswara Rajan-Siju Sunny Starrer Vysanasametham Bandhumithradhikal Starts Rolling!". Times Now. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  28. "Ahaana Krishna to play a die-hard Mammootty fan in Nancy Rani, second poster out". OTTPlay. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  29. "Ashokan, Mallika Sukumaran headline Cake Story". Cinema Express. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  30. "Valsala Club OTT release: Here's where to watch Roopesh Peethambaran's latest film online". OTTPlay. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  31. "Ganapathi and Sagar Surya to lead Prakambanam, title poster unveiled". Cinema Express. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  32. "ആ സിനിമയില്‍ ശബ്ദം കൊടുത്തത് ഞാനാണ്, പലരും എനിക്ക് മെസേജയച്ചപ്പോള്‍ സന്തോഷം തോന്നി: മല്ലിക സുകുമാരന്‍". Dool News (in Malayalam). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  33. "9 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷം മിനിസ്ക്രീനിലേക്ക് അശ്വതി; ആശംസകളുമായി ആരാധകർ". Asianet News.
  34. "Happy Couples Malayalam Sitcom on Asianet Starts from 29 September, Every Monday to Friday at 10:30 PM". Kerala TV. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  35. "Nikhil Nair and Malavika Wales team up for a new serial, 'Ivar Vivahitharayal' coming soon". The Times of India. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
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