Director Priyadarshan says ego drove him and Lissy to divorce

Former Malayalam actress Lissy had confirmed in 2014 that she and her husband director Priyadarshan had separated and that she had filed for divorce. They had been married for 24 years and the news sent shockwaves in the south film industry. 

Now, the director has spoken about his divorce to the Malayalam magazine Grihalakshmi. Priyadarshan who has worked in south cinema and Bollywood has reportedly told the magazine that it was only post the divorce he has come to realise the value of life and relationships. 

As is well known he loves car and has collected many cars over the years. He has told Grihalakshmi that he when he was going through depression at the time of divorce he sold his cars one at a time as he realised that family was more important than luxury.

Priyadarshan has also stated that Lissy was the best mother in the world and that she has brought up their children in a simple manner instilling important values in them about money and life. He also stated that she was the reason for his success. The couple have two children - Kalyanai and Sidharthan - and both of them live abroad. 

When asked about why they got divorced, Priyadarshan has stated it was 'ego' that drove them apart. He told the magazine that he had been brought up in a conservative family and his role model was his mother. He added that when get married they should not think their wives should be like their mothers as they are from different generations. 

The director also said his house in Chennai still has the name Priyadarshan-Lissy and that he believed that his ex-wife still respected him. 

Earlier in 2016, the couple filed for divorce by mutual consent.