Chintha Jerome talks about her attachment with Madhu Sir who turned 91

Chintha Jerome’s emotional birthday wish to actor Madhu Sir who turned 91 yesterday. She said that she chose cinema as the subject for her PhD as per the directive of the actor. Madhu spoke about various topics related to the film. That is how I got into research. Moreover, Chintha Jerome penned that it was Madhu Sir who first bought her a smart phone and even nice clothes to wear.

She penned
Madhu Sir turned 91. Madhu sir, a unique artist who brought Malayalam cinema to the forefront of world cinema, is the pride of every Malayali. While wishing the actor, I personally feel the need to mention who Madhu sir is.

Who is Madhu Sir to me?
When I was the chairperson of Kerala University Union (2nd year English student of Fathima Mata National College) I and general secretary Arun V K went to Madhu sir's house in Kannammula to invite him to release the logo of the University Union's youth festival. Both of us were in awe seeing the great actor whom we have only seen in movies. When we reached home, we saw Madhu Sir busy working with his workers in the field behind the house. We were warmly received and seated in the living room.

He immediately called his wife Thankam and asked her to serve us tea. She brought tea and sweets for us. We kept talking about how we were treated by the actor. He agreed to come to the event. That event was beautifully held at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club with the participation of students.

One day when I was at my house in Kollam, I received a text message from Madhu sir on my phone. I am in your hometown. I quickly took the phone and went to my father. Pappa, actor Madhu Sir has sent me a message that he is in Kollam.

Pappa was surprised and asked, 'Madhu Sir of Chemmeen? I said yes

Pappa told me to invite him home, will he come to our house...? I said that it is a message of his willingness to come home. I immediately called Madhu sir. He said that he will come here after the event. He came home with the organizers after the event. My parents were literally shocked.

The hero of their times is coming home. He reached home. Spent two to three hours with papa. The two became great friends. Whenever Madhu Sir passes Kollam, he finds team and visits home. He continued friendship with pappa even when I was not at home.

When Madhu Sir came to know about my father’s demise, he found time and reached home. When he told me that he was shooting for a film, I expected him to come after completing his busy schedule. However, he traveled from where he was standing and was with us till the funeral rites got over. He not only stood with us, also took the responsibility of everything. While returning, he told me that I know your father’s demise is a great loss for you and went.

A few days after his death, he called and told me that I should not stop my studies, and should study further and that he would be there from her father's place. It was actually on his suggestion that cinema was chosen as a subject for PhD. Madhu Sir’s daughter Uma Chechi also completed her PhD in cinema. He told me about various topics related to cinema and that's how got into the research. It was Madhu Sir who first bought me a smart phone to use and he also bought good clothes for me. Madhu Sir advised me like how he was advising Uma Chechi.

Our pride Madhu Sir has turned 91. Along with his contributions in the field of art, he is a rare example of preserving personal relationships, loving all people regardless of size and age, understanding the likes and dislikes of even a person he has met once, and giving them a place in his heart. Meeting Madhu sir and the care and love he gave me is one of the countless opportunities that my student politics has given me.

I wish Madhu Sir and his family all the health and prosperity from the bottom of my heart. A thousand birthday wishes from me and my mummy to my dear Madhu Sir.