Philomina (1926 – 2 January 2006) was an Indian actress, who worked in theMalayalam film industry. She acted in more than 750 films in her career. She played mostly character and comedy roles, besides that of mother and grandmother.^[1] She started acting on the stage. This experience stood her in good stead when she was offered her first film role.^[2] The character of Anappara Achamma in the 1991 filmGodfather, portrayed by her is acknowledged to be one of the most powerful roles ever in Malayalam cinema.^[3]

Philomina entered the film industry with eight years of experience in professional drama, she worked with the drama troupe ofP. J. Antony. She used to say it was her initial experience with an actor like Antony that helped shape her film career.

Her parents were perturbed when she had to travel toChennai 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 ofPrem Nazir's mother, a Muslim character.

She was born to Devassia and Mariam in 1926 atMullurkara inThrissur. She had her primary education from Valapad GVHS School.

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.

Philomina won her first State award, for the best supporting actress, in 1970 for her roles in filmsThurakkathavaathil andOlavum Theeravum. In 1987, she received the award for the second time forThaniyavarthanam.^[5]

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

It wasSathyan Anthikkad who first cast Philomina in a comic role. The filmMadanmaar Londonil, gave this talented actress a new image. Her roles in films likeMalayogam,Kireedam,Uncle Bun,Manathe Kottaram,Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka andIn Harihar Nagar.

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

Philomina was living in a small, well done-up apartment inKochi till she moved to her son's place inChennai a couple of years before her death. She was a chronic diabetic and sufferedstroke in 2005. She was gettinginsulin shots for herdiabetic condition. She was bed-ridden for over a month before she died at her son- Joseph's residence in Chennai due to diabetes related problems on 2 January 2006, aged 79.

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 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 atIMDb

• 1926 births
• 2006 deaths
• Actresses from Kerala
• Indian film actresses
• Kerala State Film Award winners
• Actresses in Malayalam cinema
• People from Thrissur district
• 20th-century Indian actresses
• 21st-century Indian actresses
• Actresses in Malayalam television
• Actresses from Thrissur

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• Short description is different from Wikidata
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• Use Indian English from February 2016
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