Started career at Rs 2,000 salary, late Malayalam comedian’s wife faced witch-hunt over social media reels; has now done 3 films

Although she couldn’t survive in the Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 house for long and walked out of the show voluntarily on the 34th day, social media personality Renu Sudhi did manage to mitigate part of the widespread negative campaign against her with her unfiltered stint there. Ever since she entered the public domain following the demise of her husband, comedian and mimicry artiste Kollam Sudhi, Renu has been facing massive cyberattacks for not adhering to the patriarchal society’s concept of how widows should conduct themselves.

Nonetheless, Renu has managed to carve out a place for herself among Malayalees through her hard work. Aside from acting in three movies, she also purchased a car on her own, thereby leaving her mark as a symbol of resilience, all after commencing her career by taking on jobs that paid her just Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. “Although I don’t have savings in crores, I am no longer in a position where I need to borrow money to survive. I also have a young woman with me as a manager; she takes care of everything,” Renu said recently about her life now.

However, she revealed that her journey thus far has been far from easy and said she faced harsh criticism, even from close friends, when she first started posting reels on social media. For the unversed, sections of social media had taken offence to some of Renu’s glamorous photoshoots and launched a witch-hunt against her, claiming she was “bringing shame” to late Sudhi’s name. Many demanded that she stop all these activities. Apparently, even her family disapproved of her new path. However, had she listened to those words, Renu said, she would have remained at home and never become the person she is today.

Social media personality Renu Sudhi with her husband, comedian and mimicry artiste Kollam Sudhi. (Credit: Facebook/@renu.sudhi.10)

Opening up about her Bigg Boss stint, Renu noted, “If I had stayed home back then, I wouldn’t be the Renu Sudhi I am today. Many people reach shows like Bigg Boss after years of struggle; I was invited directly. I never thought I would last 35 days there. I have no disappointment about walking out. I haven’t lost anything because of Bigg Boss; I have only gained from it.” Renu added, “I never even dreamed that I would be invited as a guest for inaugurations. No matter what anyone says, it doesn’t affect me. I have tackled life experiences far greater than that.”

Renu Sudhi with her children in front of her late husband Kollam Sudhi’s photo. (Credit: Facebook/@RenuSudhiOfficial)

Renu Sudhi recently bought a new Swift car with her own money. She is also part of a new film by Joshy John, known for helming the 2024 Malayalam drama Kuruvipappa. Renu has decided to remain active in cinema if good opportunities come her way.

Renu and Sudhi were each other’s second spouses after their respective first marriages ended. Sudhi passed away on June 5, 2023, when the car he was travelling in met with an accident in Kaipamangalam, Thrissur district. He was 39. Sudhi had a son, Rahul, from his first marriage, and another child, Rithul, from his marriage to Renu. Both children now live with her.