[en] | Philomina

Her parents were perturbed when she had to travel to Chennai for the first shoot. It was Moidu Padiyathu who convinced her parents. Her first movie, Kuttikkuppayam (1964), produced by T. E. Vasudevan and directed by M. Krishnan Nair was a big hit. Philomina played the role of Prem Nazir‘s mother, a Muslim character.

Her father died when she was 12. She used to sing at church choir. When her father died she started singing for dramas to make a living. Later she started acting in dramas and then moved to movies.^[4]

She married Antony, a theater artist, in 1956, but lost her husband when her only son Joseph was three years old.

Somewhere during this time, there was a short break in her career. She came back in the films of Bharathan and Padmarajan. Her roles in films like Chatta, Innale, Njan Gandharvan, Venkalam, Churam, Vietnam Colony, Kudumbapuranam, Godfather, Uppukandam Brothers, Thalayana Manthram and Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal would also be remembered for long time.^[6]

It was Sathyan Anthikkad who first cast Philomina in a comic role. The film Madanmaar Londonil, gave this talented actress a new image. Her roles in films like Malayogam, Kireedam, Uncle Bun, Manathe Kottaram, Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka and In Harihar Nagar.

In a career spanning over four decades Philomina starred in 750 films and numerous television serials. She was last seen in Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum.

• Second Best Actress – 1970 – Thurakkatha Vathil, Olavum Theeravum
• Second Best Actress – 1987 – Thaniyavarthanam

Kerala Film Critics Award:

• Best Second Actress – 1991 – Godfather^[7]

• Sthree
• Janakaeeyam Janaki
• Shankupushpam
• Thamarakkuzhali
• Punnakka Vikasana Corporation
• Kudumba Visheyshangal

• Pooja
• Sagara Rajakumari – radio drama

• Achamakuttiyude Achayan 1998
• “Kunjiyammakku Anchu Makkalane” (Adukkala Rahasyam Angadi Paattu) 1997
• “Muthani Munthiri” (Pookkalam Varavayi) 1991

• Philomina at MSI
• Philomina at IMDb