Santha
Kumari talks about life with the comedian Indrans
Photo by Kaviyoor Santosh
When
her parents told her about the proposal, Santha Kumari was not sure
whether she wanted to marry somebody from the film industry, but she
kept quiet. In February, 1985, Indrans came to see Shanta. “I was
so scared that I did not even look at him,” she says. “Later, my
father told me that Indrans was earning enough and would be able to
look after me.”
During
that time, Indrans was getting bit roles here and there, and had
worked as a costume designer in the industry for many years. But
gradually he established himself as a comedian with his own unique
style. Today, he has acted in over 200 films.
The
marriage took place on February 23, 1985. “We had no honeymoon,”
says Shanta. “There was no concept like that in those days.”
And,
like in his films, Indrans, at home, is a man of good nature. “He
is lively and cracks a lot of jokes,” says Shanta. “When he is
around, I feel that there are a lot of people at home.”
But
at the same time, he has serious moods. “Indrans likes to read a
lot,” says Shanta. “Mostly, it is novels. Whenever he goes for a
shoot, he will take a couple of books along so that he can read when
he is alone in his room. Otherwise, he enjoys watching the news
channels.”
His
negative quality is that he has a short temper, but calms down
quickly. “Indrans will lose his cool over the smallest of matters,
and remain calm when something big takes place,” says Shanta. “So,
his mood changes are unpredictable. In the initial years, I would get
scared. But now I have got used to it, although Indrans has mellowed
quite a bit.”
When
Indrans is at home, his favourite occupation is that of a gardener.
“He will water the plants, and plant new ones,” says Shanta. “He
is in the garden in the morning, as well as the evening.” He grows
orchids, sunflowers and leafy plants.
At
night, sometimes, he will see the comedy shows on TV. “If there is
a scene in which he is acting, he will keenly watch it and spot out
errors in his acting,” says Shanta.
Since
Indrans loves to see films, sometimes, husband and wife will go and
see a noon show in one of the halls in Thiruvananthapuram. And
Indrans is quickly recognised. “The people will come up and talk to
him,” says Shanta. “They will ask about his latest film. Some
will want to know the story and the names of the other actors.
Sometimes, they will take photos on their mobile phone. If there are
three friends, they will take a single shot one after the other,
standing next to him. It makes me feel good to see him get a good
response from the fans.”
Meanwhile,
after the show, Shanta will give a response to her husband’s
acting. “If I like his role, I will say that,” she says. “But
if there are drawbacks I will point it out to him. My children also
do that.”
The
couple have two children, Mahitha, 27, and Mahendran, 26. While
Mahitha is married and is the mother of a child, Mahendran is doing
his MBA in Nooril Islam University in Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu.
“As
a father, Indrans was more like a friend,” says Shanta. “He
always used to play games with the children. I was the strict parent,
because most of the time, they were with me, since my husband would
be away on a shoot.”
Both
Indrans and Shanta came from difficult financial backgrounds, so it
was no surprise that Shanta's happiest moment occurred when she
boarded an aeroplane for the first time a few years ago. “We spent
ten days in Dubai, and had a good time,” she says.
Another
blissful moment took place when their daughter got married in 2011.
“A lot of people came, especially from the film industry, and we
felt very happy about that,” says Shanta.
Asked
whether she felt tense that in the uncertain world of the film
industry, the next role might or might not come, Shanta says, “I
believe that what we have to get, God will give.”
And
this veteran of a 28-year marriage has clear tips to give to the
younger generation. “Do not make small issues into big ones,”
says Shanta. “You must discuss your problems. Being silent is a
mistake. You must observe when the spouse is in a good mood and
gently tell him about the tensions you are facing. Most of the time,
you will be able to solves the issues amicably.”
(The New Indian Express, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram)
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