Retnamma, the elderly social media sensation who captured millions of hearts alongside her husband Thulasidharan through their Instagram handle Achamass, has passed away. The news of her death was confirmed by family members on Monday, leaving a vast online community in mourning. Followers have been visiting their home in Punalur, Kollam district, to pay their final respects to the woman who brought joy to countless strangers through simple, affectionate videos.
The couple rose to fame almost organically. In 2023, a reel featuring Retnamma and Thulasidharan recreating a scene from the animated film Zootopia — where both look playfully at the camera while taking selfies — went viral almost overnight. That single video has amassed over 176 million views to date. What followed was an unexpected second act for the couple in their eighties: a steady stream of reels showing them cooking together, dancing, pulling each other’s leg, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Their chemistry was effortless, and audiences could not get enough of it.
Behind the scenes
Behind the camera were their grandchildren, Amal and Akhil, who first introduced the couple to the world of social media. In a previous interview with Onmanorama, Amal recalled that Retnamma was immediately enthusiastic about the idea of creating a page and a YouTube channel back in 2022. She had no hesitation performing in front of the camera and brought a natural, unforced energy to every video. Thulasidharan, on the other hand, was initially reluctant and shy about appearing online. But seeing his wife’s enthusiasm and the joy she derived from it gradually won him over, and he soon became an equal partner in their digital journey.
Their story began decades ago in Thenmala, at a small tea shop where they first met and fell in love. That modest beginning led to a lifetime together, and in their final years, it also led to an unexpected bond with millions of strangers who found comfort in watching a couple who had clearly figured out what mattered most. Their content was never about spectacle. It was about presence — two people genuinely happy in each other’s company, sharing that warmth with the world.
The news of Retnamma’s passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across social media platforms. Comments on their recent posts are filled with heartbreak and gratitude, with many followers sharing how the couple’s videos became a source of comfort during difficult times. For a generation raised on curated, polished content, Retnamma and Thulasidharan represented something rare: authenticity that could not be faked.
Retnamma is survived by her husband Thulasidharan, their children, and grandchildren. Her final videos remain online as a testament to a life well-lived and a love story that, in its final chapter, found a global audience.
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