For every girl, mirroring her mom is one of their favourite role plays. They are the first style icons every girl would try to ape. Growing up watching them, daughters tend to mirror their passions also. There is no wonder kids of many acclaimed actors take up the same path with a passion no less than their parents.
Mollywood also saw some mother-daughter duos who have inspired each other, kept up the legacy, all the while carving a niche for themselves. Here are five such mom-daughter duos who made quite an impression in Malayalam film industry.
Menaka and Keerthy Suresh
Menaka, though of Tamil origin, rose into fame through Mollywood. Most of the 116 films she did were in Malayalam. Later she married Malayalam film producer Suresh Kumar and had two daughters -- Revathy and Keerthy.
Keerthy worked as a child artiste in the movies 'Pilots' (2000) and 'Kuberan' (2002). She made her debut as a lead actress in Priyadarshan's 'Geethaanjali' by playing a double role. Later she became a Tollywood sensation with the films 'Rajini Murugan' and 'Remo' starring against Sivakarthikeyan. Keerthy portrayed legendary actress Savitri in Nag Ashwin’s bilingual biopic 'Mahanati' recently.
Sujatha and Swetha Mohan
State Film Award-winner Sujatha Mohan, who lent voice to evergreen hits like 'Pudhu Vellai Mazhai' in the movie 'Roja' and 'Varamanjaladiya' in Pranayavarnangal, has charmed music lovers across South India. In a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Sujatha worked with prominent music directors like A R Rahman, Ilayaraja and Vidyasagar.
Sujatha and Krishna Mohan's daughter Swetha herself is State Award-winning playback singer, proving music runs through her veins also. Swetha has also sung for prominent music directors her mother once worked with. She has mastered both Carnatic and Hindustani music.
Swetha dedicated the song 'Isai devathai' for Sujatha's birthday last year, giving her a befitting present.
Subbalakshmi, Thara Kalyan and Sowbhagya Venkitesh
Music and dance runs in the DNA of this family. Three artistes, belonging to three generations from a single family, have made their mark in Mollywood, but in three different ways. Thara Kalyan, who rose to fame as a classical dancer, acted in many mainstream Malayalam movies before her mother Subbalakshmi entered Mollywood.
Subbalakshmi,an octogenarian who worked as a music and dance instructor, became the cute and witty granny of Mollywood after her performances in movies like 'Nandanam', 'Kalyanaraman' and 'Pandippada'.
Sowbhagya, the youngest member of the family to win a fanbase, had it an unusual way. Famed as the 'Dubsmash girl', Sowbhagya charmed her followers through viral Dubsmash performances enacting iconic comedy scenes from Malayalam movies. An accomplished classical dancer, Sowbhagya expressed her interest in pursing a career in it.
Urmila Unni and Utthara Unni
Malayalees are familiar with Urmila Unni as a skilled actor, dancer, poet and painter. Born in a royal family, Urmila was trained in various classical dance forms.
Starting her acting career with movies including 'Marattam', 'Ulsavapittennu' and 'Sargam', Urmila played the role of mother to many leading actors.
Urmila's daughter Utthara Unni, who started her career as a model, later entered the film industry. Her first Malayalam film, 'Edavappathy' (2016) by renowned director Lenin Rajendran received much critical appreciation.
Sreedevi Unni and Monisha
Celebrity kids who follow their parent's path to movies is a common trend in Indian film industry. It is a reverse scenario in the case of actor Sreedevi Unni.
Sreedevi Unni still introduce herself as actor Monisha's mother, despite being an acclaimed actor and dancer herself.
In a career spanning over 6 years, Monisha acted in 24 movies. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her debut film, 'Nakhakshathangal' (1986) at the age of 16, making her the youngest recipient of the prestigious award. She soon became a household name and a darling of Mollywood before fate took over. Monisha died in a fatal car accident in 1992, at the age of 21.
Sreedevi Unni, who is always keen on keeping her daughter's memory alive took up her passion also. She has acted in movies that include 'Kadavu', 'Saphalam', 'Nivedyam', 'Bus Conductor', and 'Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho' as well as many television advertisements.