In a heartwarming revelation that has captivated fans across India, Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty recently shared the fascinating story behind his iconic screen name. The megastar, whose career spans over five decades, disclosed how a simple college incident and a friend's teasing nickname transformed his identity forever.
From Muhammad Kutty to Omar Sharif: The College Days
When the young Muhammad Kutty entered college, he felt his given name was rather old-fashioned. In an attempt to reinvent himself, he began introducing himself as Omar Sharif, inspired by the legendary Egyptian actor famous for his role in the 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia. The aspiring actor made concerted efforts to conceal his real name from fellow students, and his strategy worked successfully for quite some time.
The carefully constructed facade came crashing down one day when he accidentally dropped his college ID card. A friend noticed the real name printed on the identification and immediately exposed his secret. "He immediately was like, 'You are not Sharif, your name is Mammootty,'" the actor recalled during a recent public appearance.
The Friend Who Created History
In what became the most dramatic moment of his revelation, Mammootty identified the very friend who gave him his now-famous name. "The friend who named me Mammootty is right here. His name is Sasidharan," the superstar announced as the man stood up from the audience, beaming with pride and folding his hands in acknowledgment.
The emotional moment highlighted how a casual nickname given in jest would become one of the most recognized names in Indian cinema. Mammootty emphasized that many people had falsely claimed credit for naming him over the years, but Sasidharan was the true originator of the name that would define his legendary career.
Early Career Struggles and Name Changes
The journey to establishing his screen identity wasn't without obstacles. After two uncredited appearances in Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971) and Kaalachakram (1973), his name first officially appeared in the credits of Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980). His next film, Mela (1980) directed by KG George, also credited him as Mammootty.
However, director PG Viswambharan, who helmed his subsequent film Sphodanam (1981), felt that Mammootty wasn't a suitable name for an actor. He was briefly forced to use the screen name Sajin, with Mammootty written in brackets alongside. Fortunately, this change didn't last long, and he quickly returned to the name that would soon become synonymous with excellence in Malayalam cinema.
Rise to Stardom and Legacy
The turning point in Mammootty's career came with the success of director IV Sasi's Thrishna (1981) and his maiden Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for Ahimsa (1981). From that point forward, Mammootty etched his name permanently in the hearts of Malayalam cinema audiences.
Over his extraordinary career spanning more than five decades, the actor has appeared in over 400 films and achieved remarkable accolades including:
- Three National Film Awards for Best Actor (second most by any actor)
- Seven Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor (a record)
- Countless other honors and recognitions
The story of how Muhammad Kutty became Mammootty stands as a testament to how sometimes the most significant aspects of our identity emerge from unexpected places. What began as a friend's teasing nickname evolved into one of the most respected and beloved names in Indian cinema history, proving that destiny often works in mysterious ways.
