Malayalam star was betrayed by all the men she loved. Died all alone at 53

Srividya, an iconic figure in South Indian cinema, captivated audiences with her grace, charisma, and emotional depth. While her presence on the silver screen evoked admiration and reverence, her personal life was marked by pain, heartbreak, and an unfulfilled longing for love. Beneath her luminous performances was a woman who yearned for sincere affection—love that she was ready to give unconditionally but tragically never received in return. Despite being cherished by fans and respected by peers, she lived a life burdened by betrayal, loneliness, and sorrow until the end.

A Star Is Born: Musical Legacy and Artistic Roots

Born on July 24, 1953, in Chennai, Srividya came from a family deeply entrenched in the performing arts. Her mother, M. L. Vasanthakumari, was an acclaimed Carnatic vocalist, and her father, “Vikatam” Krishnamurthy, was a Tamil actor. Despite her lineage suggesting a future in music, Srividya gravitated toward dance and acting. Her early exposure to classical dance helped her develop expressive facial movements and poised body language—skills that later defined her onscreen magnetism.

Srividya began her cinematic journey at just 13, making her debut in the Tamil historical film Thiruvarutchelvar (1967), which featured veterans like Sivaji Ganesan, Savitri, and Gemini Ganesan. It was a modest role, but it ignited a lifelong connection with cinema.

Malayalam Cinema and Swift Rise to Fame

In 1969, at the age of 16, Srividya entered the Malayalam film industry with the movie Chattambikkavala. She was cast opposite Sathyan, a legendary actor who was 57 at the time. Her poise, maturity, and beauty surprised many. The following year, she featured in Kumara Sambhavam, playing the celestial nymph Menaka. Her elegant dance in the song “Maya Nadana Viharini” garnered widespread appreciation and highlighted her as an emerging talent.

With her versatility and grace, Srividya swiftly became a sought-after actor in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. Filmmakers were drawn to her ability to balance glamour with gravitas, and she transitioned seamlessly from one powerful role to another, building a formidable body of work across languages.

Unconventional Choices and Acting Prowess

What made Srividya distinct from her contemporaries was her readiness to play characters beyond the conventional mold. While many actresses of her era pursued glamorous leads, Srividya embraced roles that were far more layered—even those where she played older women or secondary characters. Rather than chase stardom, she prioritized the depth and relevance of a role.

Films like Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Ente Sooryaputhrikku, Innale, Kabooliwala, Aniyathi Pravu, Aaraam Thampuran, and Randam Bhavam featured her in motherly or supporting roles, which she portrayed with incredible emotional depth. Her performances resonated so strongly that audiences frequently remembered her more than the leads. Even on television, she left an indelible impression with her nuanced roles in various serials, maintaining her connection with the audience until her final years.

The First Heartbreak: Kamal Haasan

At the height of her career in the early 1970s, Srividya fell in love with Kamal Haasan, who was then a rising star. Their relationship was intense and, by many accounts, genuine. They even considered marriage. However, as Kamal’s career took off, he asked Srividya to postpone their plans to tie the knot. She, unwilling to delay her dreams of building a home and family, expressed her desire to move forward.

Srividya later recalled, during an interview with Kairali TV, that Kamal had visited her home one day. Her mother advised them to wait a few more years, suggesting that both had bright futures and shouldn’t rush into a decision they might regret. This advice did not sit well with Kamal, who left abruptly. Soon afterward, he married dancer Vani Ganapathy, and their once-promising relationship ended in silence. Despite the break, Kamal always remained a significant emotional figure in Srividya’s life.

A Love Beyond Norms: The Bharathan Chapter

Following her heartbreak, Srividya found comfort in her connection with filmmaker Bharathan. Their relationship, as revealed by screenwriter and Bharathan's friend John Paul on Safari TV’s Charithram Enniloode, went beyond societal definitions. It was an intimate, soulful bond that didn’t conform to labels like marriage.

Actor KPAC Lalitha, who eventually married Bharathan, recounted that he often visited her home just to talk to Srividya over the phone since her family disapproved of male callers. Lalitha, who worked with both, revealed that Srividya once confided her doubts about the relationship, citing Bharathan's growing mistrust. Eventually, the two parted ways. Though he later married Lalitha, Bharathan reportedly attempted to reconnect with Srividya—but she distanced herself for good.

The Ill-Fated Marriage: George Thomas

Amidst emotional turmoil, Srividya crossed paths with George Thomas, a film producer involved with her movie Theekkanal. He appeared attentive, caring, and aligned with her need for emotional security. Desperate to feel loved and hoping to prove to her detractors that she had moved on, she decided to marry him. Despite warnings from her mother and close friends like actor Madhu and veteran performer Manorama, she converted to Christianity and married George in Mumbai.

However, Srividya’s dream of domestic bliss soon turned into a nightmare. Contrary to his claims, George was not a wealthy film producer but a salaried employee appointed by a chit fund company, Star of Cochin, as a frontman for their film ventures. He had misrepresented himself entirely, using her fame for personal and financial gain.

Financial Exploitation and Emotional Abuse

Having realized the deception, Srividya had no choice but to return to work. Offers still came her way, and her performances were consistently appreciated. However, her husband began siphoning off her earnings. Director Alleppey Ashraf once stated that George forged her signatures to access her bank accounts and depleted her savings.

As if financial exploitation wasn’t enough, he also abused her physically and emotionally. Rumors of his infidelity surfaced, further damaging their already crumbling marriage. The arguments between them became frequent and intense. After enduring years of pain and betrayal, Srividya left George and returned to her mother.

A Lonely Legal Struggle

The separation initiated a long and arduous legal battle. Because the marriage had been registered under the Christian Marriage Act, divorce proceedings were complicated. George held on to much of her property and assets, and the case dragged on for 14 years. Srividya eventually won, but the personal toll was immense. She had lost years of her life and most of her emotional reserves.

To compound her misery, her mother—her only close family—passed away during this time. Srividya, already devastated by her failed relationships and a bruising legal fight, now found herself utterly alone. Her relatives, sensing her vulnerability, abandoned her too. Despite all her public acclaim and cinematic triumphs, she had no one to turn to in her most difficult moments.

A Life Denied: Love, Family, and Peace

What pained Srividya most was not the loss of money or status, but the emotional void. She had always longed for a loving partner, a child, and a peaceful home—experiences she was denied throughout her life. Her own childhood had been devoid of warmth, as her parents were locked in a loveless marriage. She had hoped to create a better life for herself, but fate seemed determined to keep happiness out of reach.

Her dream of settling in America to escape the scars of her past also collapsed when she was diagnosed with cancer. It was an aggressive form of the disease, and as her health deteriorated, so did her hopes. Those who cared for her during this time reported that she would often plead with doctors to end her suffering.