Veteran South Indian actor, director, and screenwriter Mohan Sharma, who devoted decades to the film industry, is facing severe financial distress at the age of 80. Having once lived in Chennai's upscale Poes Garden neighborhood, the acclaimed artist now resides in an old age home in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu, struggling to cover basic daily medical expenses. Despite a distinguished career that spanned multiple languages and roles behind and in front of the camera, he finds himself isolated and dependent on external welfare support for his essential healthcare requirements.
From Poes Garden Luxury to a Suburban Care Home
During the peak of his career, Mohan Sharma resided in Chennai's prestigious Poes Garden, an exclusive residential area known for housing icons like Rajinikanth, Dhanush, and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. However, severe domestic setbacks and mounting financial burdens eventually compelled him to sell his property. With no family members available to provide care, he turned to long-time acquaintances associated with the Rotary Club. His friends arranged for his admission to a Jain old age home located in Gummidipoondi. While the facility provides him with food and accommodation, he lacks the financial resources required to purchase medications for his age-related health conditions.
Pioneering FTII Graduate and Multi-Lingual Acting Career
Born in Palakkad, Kerala, Mohan Sharma holds the historic distinction of being the first South Indian student to graduate from the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. After completing his formal education in cinema, he entered mainstream acting during the 1970s, establishing a notable presence across Tamil and Malayalam films. Over the years, he shared screen space with top industry figures including Jaishankar, Sivaji Ganesan, Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Prashanth, Ajith Kumar, and Vijay. His performance repertoire extended beyond Tamil and Malayalam into Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi feature films.
Directorial Accolades, National Award Jury, and Television Stints
In addition to acting, Mohan Sharma ventured successfully into screenwriting, direction, and film production. His expertise in cinematic craft led to his appointment as a jury member for the National Film Awards on three separate occasions. As feature film assignments diminished, he transitioned to television, starring in popular daily soaps such as 'Kolangal', 'Munthanai Mudichu', 'Vani Rani', 'Maya', and 'Thalattu'. In 2012, he directed and produced the critically acclaimed Tamil feature film 'Namma Gramam', which earned recognition and state government awards in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Personal Milestones, Divorce, and Rajinikanth's Financial Support
Despite his professional achievements, Mohan Sharma encountered significant adversity in his personal life. He fell in love with and married his first film co-star, actress Lakshmi, but the marriage ended in divorce after five years. He later married Shanthi, yet personal and financial tribulations continued to persist. Upon learning about his current hardship, superstar Rajinikanth extended immediate financial assistance by sending Rs 1 lakh, which helped the veteran actor manage pressing daily expenses.
Appeal to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay for Acting Work
Seeking a sustainable way to manage his living expenses, Mohan Sharma has expressed a desire to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. The two had previously worked together in the feature film 'Sachein', where Mohan Sharma portrayed the father of Genelia D'Souza's character. He hopes to explain his current circumstances to the Chief Minister and request acting opportunities in upcoming film projects so that he can earn a dignified living.
Film Chamber Pension Resolution and Policy Modification
Mohan Sharma previously served as the President of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Reflecting on his tenure, he recalled introducing and passing a resolution to grant Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance to senior artists enduring illness or extreme poverty. However, when he recently wrote to the Chamber requesting support under that scheme, he was informed that the policy had been modified to disburse funds only after an artist's death. He questioned why financial aid is withheld during an artist's lifetime when suffering is acute, but received no response from the organization.
Stalled Satellite Deal and Advice for Industry Aspirants
Addressing potential avenues to fund his medical expenses, Mohan Sharma highlighted his award-winning film 'Namma Gramam'. Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had originally planned to purchase the film's satellite rights for Jaya TV, but the transaction was stalled following her death. He stated that if a broadcasting network or digital platform acquires the satellite or streaming rights today, the proceeds would enable him to afford his medications for the rest of his life. Concluding with advice for younger industry professionals, he urged filmmakers not to jeopardize their personal financial stability for movie projects and stressed the necessity of prudent financial management to avoid hardship in old age.
