Interview with Mrs.Lakshmi Mohan: businesswoman and social worker

(I interviewed Mrs. Lakshmi Mohan, in February 2006, originally for a magazine, which have ceased publication since then and this interview was never published. The story doesn't touch the aspects of her career and focuses on her personal life and viewpoints.)

Cine actor Krishna's mother, is how Mrs. Lakshmi Mohan is better known today. During the yesteryears, she was better known to be the daughter of the cine actress, (late) Lalitha, of Lalitha-Padmini-Ragini (The Travancore sisters) fame. Lalita-Padmini-Ragini has had the opportunity to dance even in front of many famous leaders, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and have performed abroad too. Nine people from their family are in the film industry, including the popular actresses in the South - Shobana and Sukumari.

Her mother and advocate father never encouraged her or her three sisters to come on the screen.And Mrs. Lakshmi holds an identity of her own.

School & College Days

“My mother was very strict. When I moved to stay at St.Teresa’s, Kochi for higher education, I had only three or four saris, one pair of sandals, Cuticura powder. She did not even allow us to stand for more time in front of the mirror. Amma always insisted on putting oil on hair and to stay away from applying shampoo. We weren’t taken to festival grounds at temple. We were taken only to see ‘good cinemas’. My parents would go and watch the film and if it's good, then take us,” reminisces Mrs. Lakshmi.

Inspite of the sophisticated life, she could have been put to, the three sisters lived at Ramakrishna ashram for a year to learn their customs. "Those days I used to feel angry at my parents, but later on we understood the importance of having lived there." During this phase of life, Lakshmi lived with ordinary people, sleeping on the floor, cutting vegetables, washing clothes and so on. No when she looks, she knows it has brought only advantages and there is not even a single disadvantage to point out.

On Anchoring, modeling and acting

Mrs. Lakshmi Mohan is against the trend of parents pushing their young children to anchoring and modeling. She certainly is not the only woman who thinks so. Considering her thoughts on matters like this, knowing well she belongs to a family, from where have emerged 9 actors and actresses, surprises us!

She has understood the industry well. Many a parent often approaches her to do recommendation to one or the other director, to put their child in front of the camera. “There is another bad phase of the film industry. It is not such a good one, especially for girls. They should know to protect themselves,” explains Mrs. Lakshmi Mohan. She feels ‘pity’ to those parents and young minds, who aspire to be in the film to make fame and money. “I wouldn’t want to name anyone particularly, but there are many in this field who are ready to do anything for money.” She reminisces about a child who was taught to walk in high-heeled shoes, lipsticks, and walk like a model, even before the girl started attending school. The girl’s mother taught her to do so. Today, the girl follows the path she was taught during her childhood and is a model. “Putting high-heeled shoes causes several health problems including heel joint pains, back pain, whole body pain and so on. Still the children go for showing off with high-heeled shoes.”

Mrs. Lakshmi says the trend of the day is to make kid’s face come in a television programme or a movie. The entire effort a parent take in grooming a child is for this sole purpose. “The TV anchors, including kids uses a particular slang while anchoring. It is so much artificial. The voice of the child star also sounds like a grown-up person.” According to her, parents have an eye on both money and fame.

Change in family values

One of the drawbacks of the present day scenario is that there is no interaction between parents and children. ‘Dining table’ is the best place to make your kids open up and share your thoughts with them. Nowadays, the same members of the family take food at different timings, at their own convenience. Parents are willing to spent money to buy anything their child asks for. They are however, are not given proper attention a child really needs in their growing-up years. The child is not aware of what is happening in the household. Say for instance, how much money the father brings home and how the mother manages and spends it.

Mr.Mohan and Mrs.Lakshmi never encouraged their two sons to take up acting. However, Krishna started showing interest in theatre while in high school. In spite of never getting even a single word of encouragement from his parents, he made it to the screens. “I have been to shooting locations with my parents and sisters. But, I and my husband never accompanied Krishna for shoots.” As a mother, how does she feel when her young son is to act intimate scenes with girls? She responds, “Acting and real life is different. We have never felt anything. It's a part of profession.”

She runs a matchmaking service, manages their restaurant "Tandoor" in Kochi behind the scenes, is one of the trustees of a CBSE school and is involved in several activities including music and dance. She also loves cooking and is the one to try out new dishes, provided she is in the ‘right mood’ to cook. She hurries out putting a stop to the long conversation she shared with me, as ingredients are waiting her at her kitchen to try out a new recipe.