KOCHI: A heartfelt Facebook post by Times of India Assistant Editor Sai Kiran detailing his recent interview with legendary Malayalam actor Mohanlal has gone viral on social media. The interview took place in Thodupuzha during the filming of the highly anticipated movie, ‘Drishyam 3.’ Sai Kiran’s insights into the superstar’s attitude towards critics and his unique philosophy on life have captivated fans and readers alike.
The Unhurried Conversation: Doors Closed for Hours
Sai Kiran began his post by acknowledging the iconic nature of the frame—sitting next to one of the “timeless keepers of Malayalam and Indian cinema’s legacy.”
”Would have seen this kind of frame a hundred times on social media. Just that this time, the one sitting with one of the timeless keepers of Malayalam and Indian cinema’s legacy is new,” he wrote. He went on to describe the meeting as unprecedented. “While I have met him before, this was the first time the doors stayed closed for hours of unhurried conversation, and the first time a picture marked it.”
Mastering the Art of Breaking the ‘Rumination’ Loop
The journalist stated that he wasn’t there to weigh Mohanlal’s cinema, acknowledging that, like millions, he too carries personal chapters marked by the actor’s films. What truly resonated with him, however, was the star’s clarity when discussing those who criticise or belittle him.
”What stayed with me, however, was the clarity with which he speaks of those who criticise or belittle him. No space given for such thoughts to fester, no ruminating until they scar the mind,” Sai Kiran observed. He elaborated on this psychological insight: “In psychology, they call it rumination — that endless loop of negative, repetitive thoughts feeding on themselves. He seems to have mastered the art of breaking that loop with a calmness that is quietly liberating.”
The Simple, Profound Advice: ‘Why Chew Your Thoughts?’
The most memorable takeaway, however, was the piece of advice Mohanlal left him with—a lesson as simple as it was profound.
”And the one piece of advice he left me with was as simple as it was profound: chew your food well — but why chew your thoughts?” the editor recalled. The advice was delivered with Mohanlal’s “signature, heart-melting smile, the lips gently twisting at one side — a reminder that sometimes philosophy needs no words, only a gesture.”
The viral post has sparked discussions online, with many praising Mohanlal for his composed approach to handling negativity and his grounding life advice.
