Every film has a destiny: Mammooty

Each time a Mammootty film is announced, the audience eagerly looks forward to witnessing the megastar pull off a new character with nuance and his much-celebrated panache. And so when he signed on the dotted line for the Malayalam period epic drama, Mamangam, the actor knew the gravitas of the project, especially since the genre is close to his heart. After all, his first National Award for a Malayalam film was also from a period drama, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha in 1989.

There are many perceptions linked to Mammookka (fondly called by his fans) — that he is a tough personality with high temperament and vanity. But it was only after one meets him in person that one realises that his intellect and smartness are mistaken for arrogance. And as we started talking about Mamangam, the three-time National Award winner gets into a pensive mode. “When the script came to me, I couldn’t say no to it. I play a mysterious character with multiple getups and the makers have looked into each and every minute detail of the film. Their dedication is impressive and like any other movie buff, I am also looking forward to watching this epic on the big screen,” he says. 

If you take a look at Mammooty’s illustrious filmography, it is evident that the actor has tried his hand in almost all genres, right from commercial potboilers to hard-hitting offbeat films. When asked about his method of choosing a film, the veteran re-iterates in the power of a well-crafted screenplay. “I have done all kinds of films. Some went on to become blockbusters and some were duds at the box office, out of which were a few films had great scripts. The success of a film depends on various factors, right from the script to the way it is presented, and most importantly, luck. Every film has a destiny and that’s not in our hands. So I don’t regret doing any films, even the unsuccessful ones,” he says nonchalantly.

Over the past decade, Malayalam cinema witnessed the arrival of many promising new directors, who went on to become an asset to the industry. Being a successful figure, Mammootty too, introduced many first-time directors. “The new-comers always have fresh narratives and they look at cinema in a different way. Their approach is unique, like a breath of fresh air. Not only in Malayalam cinema, but even the Tamil film industry has also seen new directors with strong perspectives and captivating storytelling techniques,” he points out.

The year 2019 saw Mammootty’s acting prowess at its peak with Ram’s Peranbu, which received huge critical acclaim. We also heard from close sources that his next Malayalam outing, Unda, is much anticipated for the actor’s effortless portrayal of a police officer in distress. “People think I have become choosy with the films I do, unlike before. But it’s wrong. I just don’t want to restrict myself in doing certain kind of films. I love both commercial and parallel cinema and strongly believe that there is an audience for both categories. Moreover, this is the golden age of Malayalam film industry, with extremely talented filmmakers introducing brand new narratives and ideas. And I don’t think I am taking a step back now. I am happy with my space and pace,” he assures.

Mamangam, directed by M Padmakumar and produced by Venu Kunnappilly of Kavya Films, is the first Malayalam film to be released in four Indian languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. It is a true story that is based on a religious festival called Mamangam which was held once in 12 years on the banks of Bharathapuzha, Thirunavaya in Kerala. For 280 years, fierce battles were waged by a few men against a mighty king during the festival. The film set in 1695, showcases one such story of a great real hero and an unknown hero.