Malayalam cinema's megastar Mammootty, riding high on the success of his latest crime thriller Kalamkaval, has once again captivated audiences and critics alike. The film, directed by Jithin K Jose, features Mammootty in a chilling role as a ruthless serial killer, a performance hailed as unprecedented and one that raises the bar for screen acting in Indian cinema.
From Outsider to 'India's Greatest Actor'
Mammootty's journey is a testament to relentless dedication. A complete outsider with no film industry connections, he made an uncredited screen debut in 1971 in Anubhavangal Paalichakal. His first credited role came seven years later. Today, with a prolific career spanning over five decades and more than 400 films across languages, he stands tall with three National Film Awards for Best Actor.
In recent years, Mammootty has consciously chosen unconventional and daring roles, prioritizing the actor within over the star. His filmography, including Unda (2019), Puzhu (2022), Rorschach (2022), Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2023), Kaathal – The Core (2023), and Bramayugam (2024), showcases this commitment to giving audiences unparalleled cinematic experiences.
The Role and Film Closest to His Heart
Despite a treasure trove of blockbusters and classics, Mammootty holds one role and movie above all others. In a 2003 interview with Kairali TV, when asked about his favourite character, he immediately named Madhavankutty Menon from director M Azad's Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980), written by the legendary MT Vasudevan Nair.
"If not for that movie and role, would I have been here today? That's the best role I have done to date," Mammootty stated courteously. This revelation highlights the profound significance of his first proper stepping stone into the world of acting.
The Intellectual Actor: Why No Two Performances Are Alike
During the same interview, Mammootty delved deep into his acting philosophy. He addressed the common observation that he is not a "born actor," a view he agrees with. Instead, he describes himself as an 'appetising actor' driven by desire and effort.
"Whatever I do on screen is a result of my efforts and strain. I keenly observe, identify, and approach my characters intelligently. I always have an intellectual approach to my characters. Aside from the character's emotional and mental affairs, I also enter their mind. That's why no two performances of mine look alike. One character is not a continuation of the previous one," Mammootty explained.
He attributes this metamorphosis between roles to extreme care and thoughtful movement. "I don't do a character in haste. Every time I perform a scene, deliver a line, or take an action, it is always after thorough preparation. There's a graph (for a character). If we are careless, that graph may go wrong; that's when we fail," he pointed out.
This meticulous, intellectually rigorous process is evident in his transformative performance in Kalamkaval. Produced by his banner Mammootty Kampany, the film also stars Vinayakan, Rajisha Vijayan, and Gibin Gopinath, with music by Mujeeb Majeed and cinematography by Faisal Ali.
