The Malayalam superstar, who has been in Mollywood for 50 years, encourages new talent and likes to keep abreast of technology.
Mammootty is celebrating his 72nd birthday on 7 September. (Supplied)
Every year, on Mammootty’s birthday, innumerable write-ups describe the veteran actor’s successful journey (around 50 long years now) in the Malayalam industry.
While some write about his choice of films, a few about his looks and others about his versatility.
On several occasions, Mammootty’s admirers and many filmmakers lauded the way he evolved as an actor over the years.
Even as the Malayalam superstar celebrates his 72nd birthday on Thursday, 7 September, we can’t deny the fact that he is reinventing himself in every project.
Mammootty has been in Malayalam cinema for 50 years. (Supplied)
Mammootty acted in more than 400 films in his entire career.
His recent releases like Pullikkaran Staraa (2017), Parole (2018), Pathinettam Padi (2019), Ganagandharvan (2019), and even the big-budget period drama Mamangam (2019) didn’t work well at the box office.
This was the time when even this correspondent, like many others, wondered what was in store for the veteran actor.
But then, Mammootty was back with a bang. He did critically acclaimed Tamil films like Peranbu (2019) and Unda (2019). He followed them up with Puzhu (2022), Rorschach (2022), and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2021), which were of different genres.
His Bheeshma Parvam (2022) and CBI 5-The Brain (2022) became commercial hits.
Mammootty likes to keep himself updated about technology. (Supplied)
Mammootty’s actor-son Dulquer Salmaan once stated that his dad was enjoying a phase as if he achieved enough and played a variety of roles in his entire career.
Many film critics, too, wrote about the transformation of the actor from a mass hero to a versatile artiste who takes up roles his age and mettle.
A case in point is his portrayal of Sundaram in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam. The actor’s transformation from a Malayali to a Tamil man happened in a split second.
He grabbed the Best Actor Award in the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards for his performance in the flick.
His enactment of Sivaji Ganeshan’s epic scene from the 1973 Tamil movie Gauravam in a local liquor shop is a classic scene.
In Rorschach, a neo-noir psychological action thriller, Mammootty’s character Luke is on a mission to kill those who murdered his wife. This is one of the most evil characters performed by the actor so far.
Similarly in Ratheena’s Puzhu, the actor played a negative character who has prejudices of upper caste men.
These are some of the recent performances by the actor that were noted by audiences and critics alike. However, his Telugu movie Agent (2023), which was released this year was a failure.
The actor was also rumoured to be the first choice for a negative role in Rajinikanth’s blockbuster Jailer.
There are numerous characters of Mammootty from his old Malayalam movies that garnered appreciation like that in Thaniyavarthanam (1987) and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), to name a few.
A peculiar thing about Mammootty, which people close to him mention, is his interest in new technology — be it cameras, cars, or smartphones.
He is also aware of the new technologies happening in cinema. For example, industry insiders stated that the actor asked director Salam Baapu to introduce Dolby Atmos sound technology for his film Manglish (2014), the first one to adopt the technology.
Similarly, the actor worked with several new directors starting from TS Suresh Babu who helmed the superhit film Kottayam Kunjachan in 1990.
According to the actor, he introduced over 70 directors, including Lal Jose (Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, 1989), Blessy (Kaazhcha, 2014), Vysakh (Pokkiri Raja, 2010), Aashiq Abu (Daddy Cool, 2009), Anwar Rasheed (Rajamanikyam, 2005), Amal Neerad (Big B, 2007), Martin Prakkat (Best Actor, 2010), and Haneef Adeni (The Great Father, 2017).
The actor believes that he can learn as much from newcomers as he can from experienced filmmakers.
He enjoyed a healthy competition with his counterpart Mohanlal. They both worked together in as many as 40 films and are considered the pillars of Mollywood.
Popularly known as a Megastar of Mollywood, Mammootty has some impressive projects in his lineup.
The actor recently started his new production house — Mammootty Kampany and their first venture was Rorschach. Earlier, he owned a company named Play House which was later shut down for some reasons.
The actor will be next seen in Kathal produced by his production house. The movie directed by Jeo Baby will feature Tamil actress Jyothika opposite Mammootty.
Kannur Squad helmed by debutant Roby Varghese Raj is his immediate release. It is touted to be a realistic police story.
Bazooka directed by debutant Deen Dennis is another most-anticipated movie of Mammootty.
The actor will also work with Bheesmaparvam director Amal Neerad for the sequel of their cult movie Big B (2007). It is titled Bilal.
For Bramayugam, the veteran Malayalam actor is joining hands with young actor Rahul Sadasivan whose previous film Bhoothakaalam (2022) received rave reviews. Bramayugam is touted to be a horror thriller.
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