Mammootty മമ്മൂട്ടി born Muhammed Kutty on September 17, 1953 to Fatima And Ismail in Chempu near Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala is a Malayalam film actor. He has won the Indian National Award for Best Actor three times, .He has acted in more than three hundred films, most of them in Malayalam. He also acted in Tamil, Telugu,Hindi and English [1] language Films. He has been successful in both mainstream and parallel cinema [2]. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in the year 1998.
Mammootty is one of the biggest stars in the Malayalam Film Industry.
Career
His first Film as an actor, Devalokam (World of Gods),was not released in theatres.Famous writer and auteur M. T. Vasudevan Nair and Film director K. G. George played an important part in the growth of his career. His talent was noticed in films like Yavanika(Curtain), and Valarthumrigangal(Domesticated Animals), and Vilkanunde Swapnangal (Dreams for sale) which were all films of K G George. The film New Delhi directed by Joshi was a turning point in his career.The film was based on the story, "Almighty" by Irving Wallace.His character of a victimized journalist, who systematically took revenge on politicians who beguiled him, was noticed. By then he had become a popular actor and respected as fine actor.
Apart from the heroic roles he enacted in pure commercial films, Mammootty was fortunate to have got the chances to portray the roles of M.T.Vasudevan Nair's characters.M. T. Vasudevan Nair 's films like Aalkootathil Thaniye (Alone in the crowd) catapulted him to a new realm of stardom.
Then came his Oru CBI Diary kurippu(A CBI diary entry), which some observers of malayalam films say was a landmark. It brought to fore a new concept of villainy, fresh presentation of politicians and above all a refreshing idea of hero. Without even a single song or dance number, Oru CBI Diary kurippe went on to create box-office history in Kerala. For all these, a large portion of credit goes to Mammootty for his enactment of the role of an upright CBI officer and his immaculate ways of unfolding the secrets of a murder shrouded in mystery. His theatrical representation of a Tamil Brahmin CBI (Mammootty being a muslim) officer became a topic of household discussion in Kerala. The film carved itself a niche in the heart of Keralites, so that three more films (Jaagratha (1989),Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004)and Nerariyan C.B.I (2005){All directed by K Madhu } starring Mammootty as Sethurama Iyer, the CBI officer, were received very well.This in itself is a record of sorts in the Malayalam film industry, with four movies with the same lead character (a la James Bond).
Mammootty touched higher pinnacles of his career in Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (roughly translated as 'A northern folklore'), again a M. T. Vasudevan Nair creation. His depiction of a Chekavan[3] of distinguished valour but vilified by circumstances won him the top honours of the country, National Award for best acting. His histrionics matched the literary genius of M T. It was his acting talent, coupled with his willingness to go to any extent to rationally portray the roles, that helped enabled him to act in both offbeat and commercial movies and other in art movies, and yet not fall flat. Mammootty became almost a regular face in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's films. He starred in three of his movies, Anantharam('Thenceforth'), Mathilukal('Walls') and Vidheyan ('The Subservient one'). The easiness with which he illustrated on screen the protagonist in Mathilukkal(based on Mathilukal,a novel by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer) was also instrumental in winning his first National award for best acting. His performance in a commercially off-beat movie, Ponthan Mada, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Vidheyan' won him the award for the second time. His performance in "Ambedkar", a hindi movie by Jabbar Patel, won him the National award for a third time. He is also a recipient of Padma Shri , one of the topmost civilian awards in India .
In between, he had crossed the boundaries of Malayalam cinema and acted in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. Though he proved a success in Tamil after Mani Ratnam 's Dalapati and continues to shine in Tamil films. However, his maiden Hindi film, Dhartiputra went unnoticed. But made his presence felt on national level with biographical film on Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Directed by Jabbar Patel.
Although there has been criticism for his inability to act in comic roles, his latest movies Raajamanikkam, Thommanum makkalum, Thuruppugulan.Mammooty, although a popular star, is an exception in Indian films where dancing skills have to be a necessary part of an actor's repetoire.But the emotion and the depth that he lends to his characters make him a well revered actor and makes up for his shortcomings.
Awards and honours
Mammootty was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998, for his contributions to the Indian Cinema
National Awards
1989 Mathilukal, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (Actor)
1993 Vidheyan, Ponthanmada (Actor)
1999 Dr. Ambedkar (Actor)
State Awards
1981 Ahimsa (Supporting Actor)
1984 Adiyozhukkukal (Actor)
1985 Yathra, Nirakkoottu (Special Award)
1989 Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, Mathilukal (Actor)
1994 Vidheyan,Pothanmada (Actor)
2004 Kazhcha (Actor)
Filmfare Awards
1984 Adiyozhukkukal
1985 Yathra, Nirakkoottu
1990 Mathilukal
1991 Amaram
1997 Boothakannadi
2004 Kazhcha (Actor)
Film Critics
1982 Yavanika (Supporting Actor)
1984 Aksharangal, Kanamarayathu
1985 Yathra, Nirakkoottu
1987 Thaniyavarthanam, New Delhi
1990 Mathilukal, Mrigaya, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha
1992 Sooryamanasam, Aayirappara,Pappayudey Swantham Appose
1994 Sukritham
1997 Boothakannadi (Special Award)
2004 Chalachitra Ratnam
Other Awards
V. Shantaram Award (Movie : Dr. Ambedkar)
Asia Pacific Merlian Award
Cinema Express (Various Movies, years)
Ramu Karyat Award
Screen Award
Asianet Film Awards
Everest Malayalam Ever Best Actor Award.
:::*:::Mammootty Fanz Association:::*:::
