‘With Rs 400 from a Christian and money given by Muslim Mammootty, I tied a golden tali around my Hindu wife’: Sreenivasan on his marriage

Sreenivasan tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Vimala, in 1984, when he had yet to find his footing in the industry, let alone achieve financial security.

Sreenivasan once revealed that his wedding happened with the help of Mammootty and legendary character actor Innocent, who provided him with the money required. (Credit: Facebook/@Mammootty)

One can love his movies or hate them, but there’s no denying that Sreenivasan was a master storyteller. He didn’t need ornate language to communicate sharp, broad, or complex thoughts. He was such a brilliant wordsmith that he could motivate an entire generation with “Dasa, oronninum athintethaya samayamund, mone (Dasa, everything has its own time, buddy)”; make them roll on the floor laughing with “Oh my God, CID, escape!” and “Angane Pavanayi Shavamayi“; and even well their eyes up with “Oru cheriya vishesham, ente amma marichu poyi (Just a small piece of news, my mother passed away)”, all in the same movie, Nadodikkattu (1987).

Not just in cinema, but Sreenivasan, who passed away on December 20, was a storytelling legend in real life as well, effortlessly capturing the attention of an entire crowd with his incisive, quick wit and unparalleled observational skills. The way he often narrated the story of his wedding itself was a testament to his verbal dexterity and sociopolitical stances. Sreenivasan tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Vimala, in 1984, when he had yet to find his footing in the industry, let alone achieve financial security. They met for the first time when he was a teacher at a private tutorial college in the early 1970s, well before he entered the film industry.

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Although Sreenivasan had appeared in quite a few movies by the time of their marriage, he had yet to get his proper career break and was, therefore, penniless. Once at a public event, he revealed that their wedding happened with the help of Malayalam megastar Mammootty and legendary character actor Innocent, who provided him with the money required. Sreenivasan revealed that it was Innocent who gave him Rs 400 by pawning his wife Alice’s bangles for his journey home from Madras (now Chennai) and other expenses. However, the costs didn’t end there. Sreenivasan’s mother insisted that he get a golden tali (mangalsutra) for the ceremony, but he was completely broke.

“I went to Mammootty’s house at night and told him I needed Rs 2,000 because I was getting married the next day.” Mammootty immediately provided the money, and Sreenivasan and Vimala tied the knot at a registrar’s office the next day. “All I’m saying is… With Rs 400 from a Christian and money given by a Muslim Mammootty, I tied a golden tali around my Hindu wife. What religion, whose religion, where’s religion?”

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Why Sreenivasan asked Mammootty not to come for his wedding

While giving Sreenivasan Rs 2,000, Mammootty said that he would also attend the wedding. However, the actor-filmmaker requested him not to come. “Please don’t; the wedding will get cancelled.” When Mammootty insisted further, Sreenivasan explained that the event was slated to take place at a registrar’s office. “It’s conducted without informing anyone. Nobody here knows me. However, you are not like that. You are a big star. If you come to the wedding, everyone will know. So, please don’t come.” Finally, Mammootty agreed not to attend. The bond that Mammootty and Sreenivasan shared is further evident in the post the megastar shared on social media following Sreenivasan’s demise: “Can’t help but remember you, my friend.”

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