Published Sep 22, 2026 | 7:32 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 22, 2026 | 7:32 PM
Mammootty with his fourth national award. (Photo | Special Arrangement)
Malayalam superstar Mammootty received the National Award for Best Actor for the fourth time on Tuesday, sharing the honour with Kartik Aaryan, at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Mammootty for his performance as Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam.
Aaryan was recognised for his performance in Chandu Champion.
The award comes more than three decades after Mammootty won his first Best Actor National Award.
Speaking after receiving the honour, he said recognition at the national level was an inspiration for any artiste and described himself as fortunate to receive the award for the fourth time.
Mammootty attributed the achievement to the long journey he had shared with directors, technicians, co-actors, producers and audiences.
“I am happy that I have been able to entertain people for so long. I will continue to work hard and keep doing that,” he said.
Mammootty said he does not undertake elaborate preparations before appearing on set. He said he chose Bramayugam based on its screenplay rather than merely on the character of Kodumon Potti.
According to Mammootty, the character’s distinctive look was developed in about half an hour with the makeup artist and costume designer. He credited the film’s director, makeup team, costume designer and cinematographer for helping create the character.
“I chose the screenplay rather than the character itself. I don’t engage in any elaborate preparations. When I arrive on the set on the first day of filming, something just comes to me,” he said.
Describing his creative process, Mammootty said he could not explain how the transformation happened.
“I don’t know if it’s magic; I don’t perform any magic tricks myself. Yet, something comes my way—fortunately, I hold onto it—and it just happens,” he said.
He also noted that Bramayugam was his first major black-and-white film, recalling that he had made a guest appearance in a black-and-white film much earlier.
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(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
