Mammootty turns 69: 11 things to know about the evergreen star

Mammootty is a force to reckon with in Malayalam cinema. The star of over 400 films is the poster boy for re-invention as he continues to surprise audiences with his choice of projects. As Mammuka (as he’s fondly called by his adoring fans) celebrates his 69th birthday on September 7, here are 10 things to know about the long-enduring idol of Malayalam cinema…

1. Mammootty isn’t his real name. He was born Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail and is a graduate in law from Government Law College/Maharajas Law College in Ernakulam. He practised law for two years in Manjeri before taking the plunge into the world of cinema.

2. Mammootty, who has acted in 400 films in South Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, is a portrait of a self-made star. Long before the word ‘nepotism’ became a part of our daily parlance, here was an actor — born to a middle-class Muslim family — who decided to pursue an unconventional profession. He’s the eldest son and has five siblings.

3. While he is a brilliant actor, he isn’t an easy subject to interview. If our past interviews with this journalist are any indication, he’s the quintessential tough nut to crack. Painfully politically-correct and borderline curt, his responses are often clipped and brusque. In an earlier interview, he revealed his secret to his long innings in cinema. “I have been here almost 36 years and it’s a task to be relevant. But if you have passion you can pull it off for a long time,” said Mammootty in an interview in Dubai as he promoted his film ‘Street Lights’ in 2018.

4. The age-defying actor is equally guarded when asked questions on topics such as sexual misconduct and the #MeToo movement that has percolated from Hollywood to Indian cinema. His first retort — like this journalist witnessed — was to sidestep any controversial questions. “It’s nothing to do with the film discussion that is going on. I will take another occasion to speak about it,” said Mammootty during that same interview in 2018.

5. Mammootty is a master of re-invention on the big screen and is faultless when it comes to dramatic, emotional scenes. If his colleague, friend and superstar rival Mohanlal is known for his impeccable comic timing, Mammootty does exceedingly well in tragic scenes. His turn as a serial killer out on parole in 2014’s ‘Munnariyippu’ is a testament to his superlative acting skills.

6. His son Dulquer Salmaan has also followed in his father’s footsteps, but surprisingly Salmaan chose to step away from Mammootty’s shadow by choosing an unassuming, low-profile debut film ‘Second Show’. Unlike in Bollywood, Mammootty didn’t go about promoting his son or the film. There were no red carpet premieres or bombastic functions to herald his son’s arrival into the world of Malayalam cinema. Mammootty in an interview told Gulf News that the father-son duo rarely discuss shop. In birthday message on Facebook, Salmaan wrote: "Happiest birthday to my Vappichi ! The wisest and most disciplined man I know. To the one person I can turn to for anything. And the one who always calms me by just listening. You are my peace and my zen. And every day I strive to live upto your incredible standards. It has been the greatest blessing to get this time with you. For all of us. And seeing you with maryam is the single greatest joy for me. Happy happy birthday pa. As you get younger may you continue to inspire generations to come. We love you infinity!"

7. Mammootty enjoys an amazing rapport with Mohanlal. Their thriller ‘Number 20 Madras Mail’ is a keeper. As always, he was the first few stars to wish Mammootty on his birthday today. Posting candid pictures of the two from the thriller — in which Mammootty played himself and Mohanlal played a cheeky, boisterous, rich lad who gets embroiled in a murder case — their camaraderie and goodwill for each other is legendary. These two close friends — who are rivals in the strictest sense — are often spotted sitting together in the front row of award shows and have no qualms about admiring each other. “My dear Ichakka [brother] … Wish you a Happy Birthday and may more to come … Love you always … God Bless,” posted Mohanlal on Facebook.

8. Actors including Nivin Pauly (pictured) and Prithviraj took to Facebook to wish the acting legend. In the UAE, his fan association organised a blood donation drive to mark his birthday yesterday.

9. If you aren’t familiar with his films, you can start by watching his seminal, career-defining movies such as his comedy ‘Pranchiettan & The Saint’ in which he played a gaudy, uncouth Thrissur-based businessman who thinks money has the power to buy everything. If you are in the mood for a period epic, there’s this sweeping period romance ‘Oru Vadakkan Veerakatha’ which shows Mammooty in spectacular form as the sword-wielding man who never gets the girl. You can also re-visit ‘Number 20 Madras Mail’ to see two acting legends — Mammootty and Mohanlal — in top form. Keep your tissues handy if you watch his 1987 tragedy ‘Thaniyavarthanam’, in which he plays a man stigmatised for having mental health issues. The majority of his film continue to have immense repeat value. If you are in the mood to watch a languid, slow-paced romance there’s always ‘Mathilukkal’ (pictured), a film that chronicles the journey of male and female prison inmates who fall in love on either side of a wall.

10. Mammotty is no stranger to the UAE. While his actor son used to operate his father’s business in Dubai, Mammootty was a regular fixture at the now-defunct Dubai International Film Festival and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. He has brought films such as ‘Ore Kadal’, a masterclass in understated acting by Mammootty and Meera Jasmine, and ‘Kutty Srank’ to these festivals.

11. During the coronavirus lockdown in Kerala, the 69-year-old served as an inspiration to many men as he displayed his fit physique on his Instagram account. When in isolation, becoming a gym-rat seems to be his credo.