Sreelaya Jose, also known as Laya Jose, is a Malayalam television and film actress, classical dancer and trained nurse. She is particularly remembered by Malayalam television audiences as Kuttimani from the popular serial Moonnumani. Coming from a family closely associated with acting, Sreelaya began performing at a young age and later built a career across television, cinema and stage.
Early Life and Family
Sreelaya was brought up in Kannur, Kerala and is the daughter of Jose and actress Lissy Jose. Her younger sister Sruthi Lakshmi is also a well-known Malayalam film and television actress. The sisters have even appeared together on screen, most notably in the serial Thenum Vayambum.
Sreelaya is also a trained classical dancer and has performed at various stage programmes. Alongside her artistic interests, she pursued nursing, a qualification that would later become important during her years away from acting.
Beginning of Her Acting Career
Sreelaya entered acting while still young, playing Radha in Krishnakripasagaram. She subsequently appeared in television projects such as Swarnamayooram and Kurukshetra, gaining valuable experience before becoming a leading television actress.
Her career later included Bhagyadevatha, where she played Bhagyalakshmi. The character helped make her a familiar face among Malayalam family audiences.
Moonnumani and Kuttimani
The defining television role of Sreelaya’s career came with the Flowers TV serial Moonnumani. She played Kuttimani, a character that became so popular that many viewers continued to recognise and address her by the character’s name even years later.
Following this success, she appeared in other Malayalam serials including Thenum Vayambum and Priyappettaval. Her television career established her primarily as an actress capable of handling prominent family-drama roles.
Malayalam Movies
Sreelaya has also worked in Malayalam cinema. She made her film debut in Kutteem Kolum (2013), directed by Guinness Pakru. According to recent profiles, the late filmmaker Siddique played an important role in introducing her to cinema.
She later appeared in Maanikyam (2015) and Compartment (2015). Her performance in Maanikyam, a film inspired by the writings of S. K. Pottekkatt, received particular appreciation.
Marriage, Daughter and Life in Bahrain
Sreelaya married Robin in January 2021. The couple later welcomed a daughter named Minsara.
Following marriage and motherhood, Sreelaya deliberately took a break from acting. She has explained that this was largely because she wanted to devote time to her child rather than because her husband objected to her acting career.
She subsequently settled with her family in Bahrain, where she has been working as a school nurse. This marked a significant change from her earlier full-time entertainment career, although she continued to stay connected with audiences through social media.
Overall, Sreelaya Jose is best known for her journey from a young television performer to one of Malayalam serial audiences’ familiar faces. While she has appeared in films and several serials, her portrayal of Kuttimani in Moonnumani remains the role most strongly associated with her career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sreelaya Jose
Sreelaya Jose is a Malayalam television and film actress, classical dancer and trained nurse, best known for her popular television roles.
She is also known as Laya Jose (Laya Mol Jose), while Sreelaya became the name by which she is widely recognised professionally.
Sreelaya became particularly popular as Kuttimani in Moonnumani. The character remains closely associated with her among Malayalam television audiences.
Yes. Sruthi Lakshmi is Sreelaya’s younger sister. Both are actresses and trained classical dancers, and they have also acted together in Thenum Vayambum.
Sreelaya is married to Robin, and the couple have a daughter named Minsara. They have been living in Bahrain, where Sreelaya has worked as a school nurse.