By: Entertainment DeskBengaluru | November 6, 2025 09:30 PM IST 2 min readMathu, who appeared in several Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada films in the ’90s alongside many of the era’s leading stars, is best remembered for her performance as Radha/Muthu, the innocent daughter of the naive fisherman Achootty, played by Mammootty, in Bharathan’s classic melodrama Amaram (1991). The actor landed the role after being replaced by Monisha in another Malayalam classic, Perumthachan.Recalling how she came to be cast in Amaram after losing Perumthachan, Mathu said in an interview with Vanitha, “Immediately after Kuttettan, I was offered the female lead in Perumthachan. It was a prestigious project and I was looking forward to be a part of it. As I waited to join the crew, the news came that my part was given to Monisha. It pushed me to depression.”Also Read | Malayalam cinema’s first female film star did only 34 movies; brought industry’s first National Award; died ‘mysteriously’ at 37It was during this emotional low that she embraced Christianity and changed her name. She added, “My mother took me to Sahayamatha Church where I broke down in front of the idol. I returned home to a call offering the role in Amaram. I thought it was a prank played by someone who knew the Perumthachan incident but mother confirmed with the team. That incident cemented my faith in Jesus. I converted to Christianity with the backing of my parents. I changed my name, too.” Mathu, whose birth name was Madhavi, adopted the name Meena after her conversion.Also Read | Not Dies Irae, Bhoothakaalam remains director Rahul Sadasivan’s best film; it proves supernatural is less scary than lonelinessPost Amaram, which is re-releasing in theatres on November 7, Mathu went to star in Sandesham, Sadayam, Ekalavyan, and Uppukandam Brothers, among others, quitting the industry in the year 2000. Today, she works as an accountant in Long Island, USA, and enjoys a quiet life with her second husband and their two children.Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Mammootty