These grandmothers are making a splash on social media Premium

These grandmothers are making a splash on social media by stepping out of their comfort zones

There is no stopping these plucky women who prove age is just a number. With an active presence on social media, these grandmothers are making a mark in different fields with their talent, expertise and grace. The term for for grandparent-influencers is ‘grandfluencers’.

If 87-year-old Devi Varma won a Kerala State Film award with her maiden role as Ayisha Rawther in Saudi Vellakka, Viji Venkatesh, a corporate honcho, is the toast of tinsel town with her memorable role of Laila, aka Ummachi, in Akhil Sathyan’s Fahadh Faasil-starrer Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum.

‘Dancing Muthashi’ Shyamala Xavier’s poise and dexterity as a dancer have won her hearts while Annamma Stephen’s culinary channel, Annamma Chedathi’sSpecial 2.0, has followers across the globe.

MetroPlus catches up with the four, feisty enterprising women.

Dancer and dancer instructor Shyamala has just completed acting as Mohanlal’s character’s mother in the much-awaited Lijo Jose Pellissery’s film Malaikottai Valiban. “Thanks to my newfound fame, I was able to travel on a flight for the first time when I travelled to Rajasthan for the shooting of the film.”

Prior to that she had acted in Valatty. Although she has age-related ailments, she continues to teach dance by keeping an eye on the students and teachers in her son’s dance school in Kochi.

Life begins at 65, insists Shyamala, who attained fame on social media with one viral TikTok video of her dance. Known as ‘dancing Muthashi’ on Instagram, the 70-year-old grandmother of a grandson laughs when she says she could have danced all day but for her aches and pains.