In this Indian name, the name Panaparambil Ismail is a patronymic, and the person should be

referred to by the given name, Muhammad Kutty or Mammootty.

Mammootty

Mammootty in 2022

Born Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail

7 September 1951 (age 72)

Chandiroor, Travancore-Cochin (present-day Ala

ppuzha, Kerala, India)

Other names Mammookka

Alma mater Sacred Heart College

Maharaja's College (BA)

Govt. Law College (LL.B)

Mahatma Gandhi University

 Actor
Occupations
 film producer

Years active 1971–present

Organization Mammootty Kampany

Sulfath
Spouse

(m. 1979)

Children 2 (including Dulquer Salmaan and Surumi)

Relatives Maqbool Salmaan (nephew)

Awards See accolades

Honours Padma Shri (1998)

Kerala Prabha (2022)

Website mammootty.com

Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil

Ismail (Malayalam: [മുഹമ്മദ് കുട്ടി പനിപ്പറമ്പിൽ ഇസ്മായിൽ], Malayalam
pronunciation: [muhɐmːɐd̪ kuʈːi pɐnɐpːɐrɐmbil ismɐi̯ l]; born 7 September 1951), known
mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty ([mɐmːuːʈːi]), is an Indian actor and film producer
who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil language films. He has also appeared
in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five
decades, he has appeared in more than 410 films, predominantly in lead roles. He is the
recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, nine Kerala State Film
Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. For his
contribution to film, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1998. In 2022, he
was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the Government
of Kerala.
Mammootty made his debut in acting through Malayalam film Anubhavangal Paalichakal in 1971.
His first leading role was in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's unreleased film Devalokam (1979).
Mammootty's breakthrough came in 1981 when he received the Kerala State Film Award for
Second Best Actor for his performance in Ahimsa. Major commercial successes during this time
included the 1983 films Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu and Aa Raathri. Following a series of box
office failures, the 1987 crime thriller New Delhi improved his commercial prospects. The films
that followed through the next decade established Mammootty as one of the leading stars of
Malayalam cinema.
The 2000s were a period of critical and commercial success for Mammootty. His performance in
the Hindi and English-language bilingual biopic Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000) won him the
National Film Award for Best Actor, and he won Kerala State Film Awards for Kaazcha (2004)
and Paleri Manikyam (2009). He garnered further critical praise for the satire Pranchiyettan & the
Saint (2010), drama Varsham (2014), period drama Pathemari (2015) and black
comedy Unda (2019), and received Filmfare Awards for Best Actor for the first three. His highest-
grossing releases include the action comedy Madhura Raja (2019), the action thriller Bheeshma
Parvam (2022), and the crime thriller Kannur Squad (2023).[1][2][3]
Mammootty is the chairman of Malayalam Communications, which runs the Malayalam television
channels Kairali TV, Kairali News and Kairali We. He is the owner of multiple production
ventures, including the distribution-production banner Playhouse and the Mammootty Kampany.

Early life and family

Mammootty with Fr. Palakkappilly at Sacred Heart

College, Thevara where he did his pre-degree.
Mammootty was born on 7 September 1951 in Chandiroor.[4][5] He was raised in the village
of Chempu near Vaikom in Kottayam district in the present-day state of Kerala, India in a middle-
class Muslim family. His father, Ismail, had a wholesale garment and rice business and was
involved in rice cultivation. His mother, Fatima, was a housewife. He is their eldest son. He has
two younger brothers, Ibrahimkutty and Zakariah, and three younger sisters, Ameena, Sauda
and Shafina.[6][7]
He went to Government High School, Kulasekharamangalam, Kottayam for his primary
education.[8] In the 1960s, his father moved the family to Ernakulam, where he attended
Government School Ernakulam. He did his pre-university course (pre-degree) at Sacred Heart
College, Thevara.[9] He attended Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, for his degree. He graduated
with an LL.B. from Government Law College, Ernakulam.[10] He practised law for two years
in Manjeri.[7][11]
He married Sulfath Kuttyy in 1979 in an arranged marriage. The couple has a daughter Surumi
(born 1982), and a son Dulquer Salmaan (born 1986)—also an actor.[12] He resides in Kochi with
his family. His younger brother, Ibrahimkutty, has also acted in Malayalam films. His
nephews, Maqbool Salmaan and Ashkar Saudan, are Malayalam film and television actors.[13]

Film career
1971–1982: Early career
Mammootty made his onscreen debut as an extra in K. S. Sethumadhavan’s Anubhavangal
Paalichakal (1971) at the age of 20.[14] He made his second appearance in an uncredited role in
the 1973 film Kaalachakram, directed by K. Narayanan. He was cast in a small role as a
boatman.[15] It was in this film that he said his first dialogue.[16] In 1975, he acted in the theatre
drama Sabarmathi.[17] After his graduation from Maharaja’s college in 1976, Mammootty began
his practice as a lawyer in Manjeri. During this time, he met his mentor[18] M. T. Vasudevan Nair,
who cast him in a pivotal role in Devalokam (1979).[19] However, due to financial constraints and
conflicts among cast and crew, the film stopped shooting halfway. As the film did not get a
release Vasudevan Nair cast him in a minor role in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980), directed by
Azad and scripted by Nair, his first credited role.[20]
During the filming of Vilkkanundu Swapnangal, Mammootty met and got closer to Sreenivasan.
When K. G. George was looking for a newcomer with a “smart and handsome personality” as a
daredevil motorcycle jumper for his film Mela (1980), Sreenivasan suggested Mammooty's name
while they were shooting at the Raymon circus at Ernakulam.[21] Mela was the first Malayalam film
to feature him in a prominent role. He was then cast in a supporting role in Vijayachithra
Combines’ big budget action film Sphodanam (1981), directed by P. G. Vishwambharan. He was
credited as "Sajin" in the film as Vishwanbharan felt that the name "Mammootty" did not suit an
actor.[22] The same year, he made his first-ever appearance as a lead actor in the Malayalam
film Thrishna (1981), which won the Filmfare Award for Best Film. Later that year, he appeared in
a supporting role in I. V. Sasi’s political film Ahimsa (1981), which earned him the Kerala State
Film Award for Second Best Actor.[23]
The next year, he starred alongside Bharath Gopy in K. G. George’s epoch
making Yavanika (1982), as a police inspector who is on the search for an unpopular tabla player
of a travelling drama group who suddenly disappears.[24] Jijo Punnoose experimented Mammootty
in a negative role in the epic period drama Padayottam (1982).[25] I. V. Sasi cast him in a pivotal
role in John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982), the Malayalam remake of Manmohan Desai’s Hindi
film Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). He was then cast in a major supporting role in Sasi’s political
drama Ee Nadu (1982), which was a major commercial success, becoming the highest grossing
South Indian film of the year.[26] Mammootty played supporting roles in most of the films released
during the year. He had 23 of his films released during the year.[27]
1983–1986: Experimentation and breakthrough
In 1983, he started to transition into leading roles. Balu Kiriyath experimented with Mammootty
by casting him as the lead in the comedy drama Visa, which was declared a hit at the box office.
[28]
In his next film, Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu, directed by P. G. Vishwambaran, he played the
role of a libertine lawyer who takes up the case of a female physician who is charged with
medical negligence. The film became a major commercial success, running for 250 days in
theatres. A critic of The Indian Express wrote, "Seema, as Dr. Bala gives a stand out
performance, being particularly impressive in highly emotional sequences. She is matched in
acting by Mammootty, who is advocate Jayamohan."[29] In 2017, The Times of India described
Mammootty's role as one of the "astounding advocate roles he has given life to". [30] Sandhyakku
Virinja Poovu is credited with solidifying Mammootty's status as a leading man.[31] He then starred
in Vishwambaran's Pinnilavu, a film about a fight of ethics between a father and son. A multi
starrer, it was also a commercial success, running for 150 days in theatres. [31] He then appeared
in a supporting role in K. G. George's controversial classic Lekhayude Maranam Oru
Flashback. In the film, Mammootty plays the role of a film superstar, a character modelled
after Prem Nazir. On 15 May 1983, Sreedhar Pillai of India Today wrote, "Mammootty, the
current rage of the Malayalam screen, successfully apes the mannerisms of fellow actor Prem
Nazir in his Prem Sagar role."[32]
He then starred as an antihero in P. Padmarajan's classic Koodevide. In the film, he plays the
role of a jealous and possessive lover of a boarding school teacher. The film was a major
commercial success. Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express wrote, "Mammootty here adeptly
navigated a range of emotions. But particularly impressive was his depiction of Thomas’
jealousy, triggered by Alice’s close bond with one of her students, a mother-son-like one which
Thomas misconstrues as romantic. Mammootty skillfully showcased Thomas’ descent into
villainy, capturing his character’s sinister demeanour and willingness to go the extra mile to win
Alice’s affection just for himself."[33] His pairing with Suhasini was very successful and was
continued in films like Ente Upasana (1984). Koodevide was also selected for screening in that
year's Indian Panorama. It also won the Kerala State Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal
and Aesthetic Value.[34] He then collaborated with director Joshiy for the first time for Aa Raathri.
[35]
Despite mixed critical response, it was a commercial success. It had a very successful
soundtrack, credited with launching Ilaiyaraaja's Malayalam film career.[36] Critics consider Aa
Rathri to be a trendsetter. It is regarded to be the first of the Kutty Petty films, tear-jerker family-
drama tragedy of the 1980s. Films of this genre typically featured a happy family in the
beginning, with a well-placed husband-cum-father, a young mother and a girl child of the age of 3
or 4. In the end, the family gets into a whirlpool of relationship problems. [37] Other notable
releases of the year were supporting roles in Fazil's Eettillam and I. V. Sasi's
political Iniyenkilum. Reviewing Iniyenkilum for India Today, Sreedhar Pillai wrote, "Mammootty
easily outshines everyone else as the villainous politician."[38]
In 1984, he starred as the smuggler Tharadas in I. V. Sasi's Athirathram. The film achieved
considerable commercial success and the character of Tharadas gained a cult following among
the youth. Mammootty, who was considered a bankable leading actor was propelled
to superstardom with the success of the film. Owing to the popularity of the character, it was
reprised by Mammootty in Balram vs Tharadas (2006).[39] He then starred in I. V.
Sasi's Kanamarayathu, an adaptation of the 1912 novel Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. In
the film he plays the role of the sole successor of a rich business empire who falls for an orphan
girl younger than him. Kanamarayathu explores the concept of relationships between couples
with a large disparity in their ages, which challenged Indian social mores. Upon release the film
received critical acclaim and became a commercial success.[40] For his performance as Roy
Varghese, Mammootty won his first Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor.[41] The
film has over the years accumulated a cult following and is now considered a classic in
Malayalam cinema.[42] He then starred as a police officer in Bharathan's Ithiri Poove
Chuvannapoove. The film explores the relationship between a police officer and his younger
brother, who becomes a Naxalite. It was a critical success and had a successful soundtrack.[43]
He then appeared in a supporting role in the art house film, Akkare. In the film he portrays a non
resident Malayali. The film is a satirical take on the obsession, especially of the middle class of
other's lifestyle.[44] He then starred as a vengeful fisherman back from prison in I. V.
Sasi's Adiyozhukkukal. The film was a commercial and critical success. Mammootty won his
first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor –
Malayalam for his performance as Karunan.[34] Mammootty's performance in the film is often
considered one of the best in his early career. The film was produced by Casino Productions, a
production company owned by Century Kochumon, Mohanlal, I. V. Sasi, and Mammootty.[45] He
also starred in I. V. Sasi's Aalkkoottathil Thaniye, a box office hit. In 1988, film scholar Vasanthi
Shankaranarayanan wrote, "Aalkkottathil Thaniye shows the changing image of woman in
contemporary Malayalam cinema. From weak and enslaved to strong and
independent."[46] Aalkkottathil Thaniye, the screenplay was released as a book by DC Books in
2009.[47] That year he also starred in several Kutty Petty films that received negative critical
reviews but were successful at the box office, notable of which
were Sandarbham, Koottinilamkili and Chakkarayumma. The former of which was a major box
office hit, running for 150 days in theatres. It was one of the highest grossing films of the year.
The genre had now become synonymous with Mammootty, being renamed the Mammootty-
Kutty-Petty film.[48]
The following year, he starred in Padmarajan's Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam, based on the
radio drama Ammaykku Vendi by Sajini Pavithran, in which he plays the role of a man who wants
to sell his ancestral house and put his mother in an old age home. The film explores the layers of
family relationship in a rural setting threatened by urban culture and explains how the imminent
breakdown of the joint family is prevented by a death. Upon release, the film was critically
acclaimed, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam that year. He
then starred in I. V. Sasi's Anubandham, scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the film was released
to widespread critical acclaim, winning four Kerala State Film Awards that year. He collaborated
with Nair and Sasi once again that year with Idanilangal.
He then, starred as Ravi Varma, a millionaire on death row for killing his wife in
Joshiy's Nirakkoottu. The film was a major critical and commercial success, becoming one of the
highest grossing films of that year.[49] The film won the Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam film.
[50]
He then starred as a forest officer who is mistaken for a Naxalite, arrested and jailed for many
years in Balu Mahendra's romantic drama Yathra. The film tells a fictional story but is built upon
the human rights violations by the police and the prison authorities in India during the
emergency of 1975–1977, when the fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended. It is an
adaptation of the 1977 Japanese classic The Yellow Handkerchief.[51] The film was released to
widespread critical acclaim, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular
Appeal and Aesthetic Value. It was declared a blockbuster, running for 200 days in theatres,
[52]
becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film of the year.[53] For his performance, Mammootty
won the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Yathra, as well as a Special Jury
Award for his performances in both Yathra and Nirakkoottu.[54][55]
In 1986 alone, he acted in about 35 films, including a brief appearance in Mazha Peyyunnu
Maddalam Kottunnu. In 1986, he teamed up with I. V. Sasi for the film Aavanazhi, which was
written by T. Damodaran. Mammootty appears in the lead role as Balram, a police officer.
Both Inspector Balram and Balram vs. Tharadas are sequels to this film. The film was a huge hit
at the box office. The film ran for over 200 days. The film was remade in Tamil, Telugu, and
Hindi.[56][57]
1987–1990
Following a series of flops, Mammootty found commercial success with the crime thriller New
Delhi (1987), directed by Joshiy and written by Dennis Joseph.[58] He played G. Krishnamoorthy, a
victimised journalist who systematically arranges the killing of politicians who had implicated him
under false charges.[59] New Delhi was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing
Malayalam film released at that point.[60][61] After its release, Rajinikanth, wanting to remake the
film in Tamil, offered to buy the rights from Joseph, but the rights for Kannada, Telugu and Hindi-
language remakes were already sold by that time.[62] In the same year, he played Balagopalan, a
school teacher who is deemed mad by society owing to a superstitious belief, in the
drama Thaniyavarthanam, directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas.[63] It won
the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Malayalam at the Filmfare Awards South.[64] Mammootty's
performance received acclaim from film critics.[65]
In the first of his several releases in 1988, Mammootty appeared in the comedy film Manu Uncle,
directed by Dennis Joseph. Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi made cameo appearances in the film. [66]
[67]
It received the National Film Award for Best Children's Film at the 36th National Film Awards.[68]
[69]
Mammootty played an investigator called Sethurama Iyer in another film, Oru CBI Diary
Kurippu, which served as the first instalment in the CBI series.[70] The film set box office records
both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.[71][72][73] The film's one-year theatrical run in Tamil Nadu continues
to remain an all-time record. That year, he also appeared in the Sibi Malayil-directed action
film August 1,[74] which was based on the novel The Day of the Jackal, by Frederick Forsyth.
[75]
The film's rights were sold in Tamil Nadu for a record-breaking price at the time. [76] Additionally,
Mammootty and I. V. Sasi worked together on three projects in the same year: the romantic
film Abkari, the drama Mukthi and the war film 1921.[77] In the latter, Mammootty played Khader,
a World War I veteran who joins the Malabar rebellion. The film, which cost over ₹1.2 crore to
produce, earned ₹2 crore during its theatrical run.[76] In 1988, Mammootty collaborated
with Joshiy for two films, Sangham and Thanthram.[60]
The following year, Mammootty starred with Rahman and Shobana in the G. S. Vijayan thriller
film Charithram.[78] The story is adapted from the English movie Chase a Crooked Shadow. The
story is about the relationship between two brothers.[79] In the same year, he acted in a film which
is considered as one of the best crime thriller in Malayalam cinema, Adikkurippu, written by S. N.
Swamy and directed by K. Madhu.[79] In 1989, Mammootty starred in the lead as Chandu
Chekavar, in the epic historical drama film Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, directed by Hariharan and
written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[80] The movie has won four National Film Awards, including Best
Actor(Mammootty), Best Screenplay(M.T Vasudevan Nair), Best Production Design and Best
Costume Design(P. Krishnamoorthy). The movie has selected as Best Malayalam Movie
in Filmfare Awards, also the movie has won seven Kerala State Film Awards.[81][55] The movie
received both commercial and critical acclaim and ran for over 300 days. It is considered as one
of the greatest films of all time.[82] In an online poll conducted in 2013 by IBN Live, as a part of
Indian Cinema completing 100 years, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha listed as the third greatest
Indian Film of all time.[83] In the same year, Mammootty starred with Sukumaran in the Mystery-
thriller film Utharam, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The story was based on the short story No
Motive by Daphne du Maurier. Utharam is considered as one of the best investigate thrillers in
Malayalam cinema.[84][85] Second movie in CBI (film series), Jagratha released in the same year. It
is considered as one of the best investigate thrillers in Malayalam.[84] In the same year
Mammootty joined with Joshiy, in the movie Mahayanam, which was a critical and commercial
success.[86] In 1989, Mammootty appeared as hunter in Mrigayaa, Directed by I. V. Sasi and
written by A. K. Lohithadas. The movie was a major success and I.V Sasi won the Kerala State
Award for Best Director.[87] In 1989, Mammootty won the Best Actor Award in Kerala State Film
Awards for the movies Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Mrigayaa and Mahayanam.[55]
In 1990, he starred in Kottayam Kunjachan, an action comedy film directed by T. S. Suresh
Babu and written by Dennis Joseph.[88] The movie has become one of the highest-grossing film in
the year.[89] Mammootty played the role Kunjachan which is a character from the novel Veli written
by Muttathu Varkey.[90] Mammootty made his Tamil debut the same year with Mounam
Sammadham.[91][92][93][94] N. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote, "Mammootty plays the no-
nonsense hero in the film with such dignity, poise and grace."[95] Mammootty won Best Actor
Award in National Film Award in 1990 for the movie Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal.
[96]
The film focuses on the prison life of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and the love between him
and Narayani, a female inmate of the prison, who remains unseen throughout the film. The movie
was critically acclaimed and considered as the best classics of Malayalam Cinema.[97] The movie
has won four National Film Awards.[96] When Indian Cinemas Completes 100
Years, Forbes included the performance of Mammootty in the list "25 Greatest Acting
Performances of Indian Cinema".[98] Mammootty appeared as Alexander in the 1990 in
a Gangster film Samrajyam, Directed by Jomon with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[99] The
movie has commercially a major success at Kerala and Andhra Pradesh box-office. [72] The movie
has run for more than 200 days in Kerala and 400 days in Andhra Pradesh. [100] In 1990,
Mammootty was part of No.20 Madras Mail directed by Joshiy. Mammootty done a cameo role
as himself and Mohanlal was in the lead role.[101]
1991-1994
In 1991, he starred in Amaram, directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas.
Mammootty played the character Achootty, an uneducated fisherman who wants his daughter to
be educated and wants her to become a doctor. The role helped Mammootty to grab another
Filmfare award for Best actor.[102] In the same year he has done two Tamil
films Thalapathi and Azhagan. Both the films were commercially successful.[103] Thalapathi is
adaptation from the Hindu Epic, Mahabharata.[104] In the same year, Mammootty joined with I.V
Sasi for two movies, Inspector Balram and Neelagiri. Inspector Balram was a sequel to his 1986
film Aavanazhi. The movie was commercially successful.[105] In 1992, he acted with Kannada
actor Vishnuvardhan in the action thriller movie Kauravar.[106] Mammootty played the character
Putturumees in the movie Soorya Manasam, who is a mentally challenged man who lives with
his mother in a small village. Mammootty was critically acclaimed for the role and the movie is
based on 1937 American Novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.[107] Sowcar Janaki played
the mother character.[108] In the same year he acted in movie Pappayude Swantham Appoos,
directed and written by Fazil. The movie explores the relationship between a father and son. The
film was both commercial and critical success and ran for more than 200 days. [109] Mammootty
done his entry to Telugu industry through Swathi Kiranam in the year 1992.[110]
In 1993, Mammootty joined with Joshiy for an Action film Dhruvam. It was Vikram debut in
Malayalam Cinema.[111] The film was a super hit at the box-office.[112] In the year Mammootty won
the kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and for the movie Vatsalyam, directed by Cochin
Haneefa, Ponthan Mada directed by T. V. Chandran and Vidheyan directed and written by Adoor
Gopalakrishnan.[113] He also won National Film Award for Best Actor for the movie Ponthan Mada
and Vidheyan at the same year.[114] In the year Mammootty done a Tamil movie Kilipetchu
Ketkava, directed by Fazil.[115] Mammootty made his Bollywood debut with the 1993
release Dhartiputra[116]
1995-1999
In 1995, the combination of the writer Sreenivasan and director Kamal created the character
Nandakumar Varma, who is a college professor in the romantic drama Mazhayethum Munpe.[117]
[118]
He acted as an aggressive yet honorable District Collector Thevalliparambil Joseph
Alex IAS in his following release, a Political thriller film The King. It became the highest-grossing
Malayalam film at that time.[119] In the same year, he starred in the Tamil political thriller Makkal
Aatchi, directed by R. K. Selvamani and produced by Thirupur A. Selvaraj under Aarthi
International. The film's music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was also dubbed in
Malayalam as Ente Naadu. The movie was clashed with Rajinikanth starrer Muthu at the same
time and Mammootty took the lead over Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu.[103] Mammootty's first
Malayalam release of 1996 was Azhakiya Ravanan, a Romantic Drama directed by Kamal and
written by Sreenivasan.[120] The next film he acted in was Hitler written and directed by Siddique.
The film was remade in several languages. The film was a commercial success at the box office
and was the highest grossing Malayalam movie, breaking his own movie record The King at that
time. The movie has run over 300 days in theatres.[121] He also did a direct Telugu movie in the
same year Surya Putrulu, directed by C. Umamaheswara Rao. The film was a moderate success
at the box office.[122]
In 1997 Mammootty won the Best Actor Award in Filmfare Awards for the performance in the
movie Bhoothakkannadi, directed by Lohithadas. It is considered as one of the finest
performance in the actor career. In an interview, Mammootty revealed that he want to direct the
movie with Rajinikanth in lead.[123] In the same year Mammootty done two Tamil films Pudhayal,
directed by Selva and Arasiyal, directed by R. K. Selvamani. In 1998, Mammootty played the role
of an IPS officer in the investigation thriller film The Truth, written by S. N. Swamy and directed
by Shaji Kailas.[124] He played the lead role in Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, which was the directorial
debut of Lal Jose in 1998.[125] In the same year, he starred in Harikrishnans, co-
starring Mohanlal and Juhi Chawla. The movie has two climaxes, and Shah Rukh Khan was
supposed to do a pivotal role, but didn't happen due to unknown reasons.[126] in the same year,
Mammootty done a guest appearance in the Bollywood movie Swami Vivekananda, directed
by G. V. Iyer.[127]
In 1999, Mammootty won the Best Actor in National Film Awards for the movie Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar, directed by Jabbar Patel. . The performance is considered as one of the finest one in
his career. The movie is produced by National Film Development Corporation.[128] Mammootty
joined with Priyadarshan in the same year for the movie Megham, which is a commercial
success.[129]
2000-2009
 Mammootty in 2009
In 2000, Mammootty done a cameo role in Narasimham, in which Mohanlal done the main role.
The movie was huge success in boxoffice.[130] With the huge success of Narasimham,
director Shaji Kailas, joined with Mammootty in the same year for another action
drama Valliettan. The movie was also a huge success in box office.[131] 2000 was one of the best
year for the actor in box office performance, after the huge success of Narasimham and
Valliettan, Mammootty continued the success with the movies Dada Sahib and Tamil
movie Kandukondain Kandukondain, co-starring Ajith Kumar and Aishwarya Rai. Both movies
were blockbuster in box office.[132][133] Mammootty won the Best Actor Award in Filmfare Awards in
2000 for his performance in Arayannangalude Veedu.[134] He continued his box office reign in
2001 too. In the year, he began with Rakshasa Rajavu, directed by Vinayan. The movie was a
huge success in box office.[135] He has done the lead role in N. Lingusamy directorial
debut Aanandham in the same year. The movie was a commercial and critical success.[93]
In 2003, Mammootty played Sathyaprathapan, a bachelor in romantic comedy Drama
Film Chronic Bachelor, directed by Siddique. The film received positive reviews and became a
commercial success at the box office.[136] Mammootty also acted in Pattalam, by director Lal Jose,
in which he plays an Indian Army officer, Major Pattabhiraman. The movie made an average
performance in the box office.[137] In 2004, he acted in the third installment of CBI, Sethurama Iyer
CBI. The movie has become the second highest-grossing movie of the year. [138] Mammootty
won Kerala State Film Awards and Filmfare awards for Best Actor for the performance in the
movie Kaazhcha. The movie was the directorial debut of Blessy. The movie got many critical
receptions from all over.[139] In the same year he appeared as a police officer
in Ranjith movie Black. The movie was a box office hit.[139] After this action film, he appeared as a
family man in Vesham, who sacrifice his life for his younger brother.[140]
2005 was one of the best year for the actor in both box office and in performance. He was seen
in never seen characters in the movies like Thommanum
Makkalum, Thaskaraveeran and Rajamanikyam. In this, Rajamanikyam was industry hit. The
movie has created and broke many records in the box office. The actor was seen in a never seen
character. Other releases were Rappakal, Nerariyan CBI which is the fourth installment of CBI
(film series) and Bus Conductor. These movies all made money in box office. The characters in
each film were different in each others. The actor was totally controlling the box office in the year.
[141]
In 2006, the actor continues his performance in box office and was utmost care in choosing
the character. Mammootty started the year with action comedy film Thuruppugulan, which was a
super hit in box office. The next release was Balram vs. Tharadas, which was the sequel
of Athirathram and Inspector Balram. Katrina Kaif played the female lead in the movie and the
only Malayalam movie she acted.[142] At the end of the year actor changed to do off-beat movies
such as Karutha Pakshikal and Palunku. The actor was nominated in the National Awards for
Best actor at the year.[143] He won the Best Actor in Filmfare Awards for the movie Karutha
Pakshikal.[144]
He started 2007 with the off-beat film Kaiyoppu. Then he back with the comedy action
film Mayavi, directed by Shafi. The movie became the highest grosser in the state in the year.
[145]
The next was Big B, which was the directorial debut of Amal Neerad. The movie was an
average grosser in box office but still manages to completes more than 100 days in Kerala box
office. After the release of the DVD of the movie the movie got many appreciation for the
cinematography and editing. The movie redefined how to make a mass action movie to be made
in Mollywood. Mammootty won the appreciation for the slow-motion walking and the background
music is still trending.[146] In the year the actor shown his box office and performance power in the
movie Katha Parayumpol. He done an extended cameo role in the movie. The movie was
remade in three languages, Kuselan in Tamil, Billu Barber in Hindi and Kathanayakudu. All the
remakes failed in the respective box office. Mammootty was appraised for his performance in the
movie.[147]
He begin 2008 with action film Roudram, directed by Renji Panicker. Mammootty joined with
Anwar Rasheed after the industrial hit Rajamanikyam. This time for the comedy action
movie Annan Thampi. The movie was a superhit in the boxoffice. The movie done a huge
business all over. Telegu rights has sold for a record price until that time. [148] His next releases
were Parunthu, Mayabazar. He done a cameo role in One Way Ticket in which Prithviraj
Sukumaran done the lead role. These movies didn't done any boxoffice wonders. After that he
did the lead role in the biggest multistar movie in Malayalam Twenty:20, directed by Joshiy.[149]
[150]
In 2009, he done the all time blocbuster epic period drama film Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja,
written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Hariharan. the film has collected around 49cr in
box office.[151] He also done performance oriented movies like Kerala Cafe and Paleri Manikyam.
He won Best Actor Award in both Kerala State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards for the movie
Paleri Manikyam.[152][153] In the same year he done the action comedy film Chattambinadu, another
performance oriented movie Loudspeaker and the directorial debut of Aashiq Abu, Daddy Cool.
These movie has done Hit status in boxoffice.[154]
2010–2019

Mammootty at Successful party of Abrahaminte

Santhathikal
In the year 2010, Mammootty acted in the films Drona 2010, directed by Shaji Kailas,
[155]
Yugapurushan, directed by R. Sukumaran,[156] Pramaani, directed by B. Unnikrishnan,
[157]
Pokkiri Raja, the directorial debut of Vysakh Abraham,[97] Kutty Srank, directed by Shaji N.
Karun,[158] Pranchiyettan & the Saint, directed by Ranjith,[35] Best of Luck, directed by M. A.
Nishad[159] and Best Actor, Martin Prakkat's debut film.[160]
His films August 15, directed by Shaji Kailas,[161] Doubles, directed by Sohan Seenulal,[162] The
Train, directed by Jayaraj, Bombay March 12, directed by Babu Janardhanan and Venicile
Vyaapari, directed by Shafi appeared in 2011.[163]
In 2012, his films included: The King & the Commissioner, directed by Shaji Kailas,[164] the
Kannada-Malayalam bilingual film Shikari directed by Abhaya Simha,[165] Cobra, directed
by Lal, Thappana, directed by Johny Antony, Jawan of Vellimala, directed by Anoop Kannan,
(Mammootty produced the film), Face to Face, directed by V. M. Vinu and Bavuttiyude Namathil,
directed by G. S. Vijayan.[166]
His first films released in 2013 were Kammath & Kammath, directed by Thomson and Immanuel,
directed by Lal Jose.[167] Later, he went on to appear in Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty, directed
by Ranjith, which was released for Ramzan season, Kunjananthante Kada, directed by Salim
Ahamed and Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus, directed by G. Marthandan.[168] His next release
was Silence, directed by V. K. Prakash.[169]
He acted in Balyakalasakhi, directed by Pramod Payyannur, Praise the Lord, directed by Shibu
Gangadharan and Gangster, directed by Aashiq Abu in the first half of 2014.[170] He also acted
in: Manglish, directed by Salam Bappu, Munnariyippu, directed by Venu, RajadhiRaja, directed
by debutant Ajai Vasudev and Varsham, directed by Ranjith Sankar. Mammootty received critical
praise for his portrayal of C.K. Raghavan in Munnariyippu,[171] while Sify called RajadhiRaja "a
genuine hit for Mammootty after a long time".[172] Nicy V.P. of International Business Times wrote:
"Varsham is a movie worth investing your time and money."[173]
His 2015 releases were Fireman, directed by Deepu Karunakaran, Bhaskar the Rascal, directed
by Siddique, a commercial success,[174] Acha Dhin, directed by Marthandan. Utopiayile Rajavu,
directed by Kamal and Pathemari, directed by Salim Ahamed.[175]
He acted in Puthiya Niyamam alongside Nayanthara directed by A. K. Sajan in the first half of
2016. He also acted in Kasaba directed by debutant director Nithin Renji Paniker. His next
releases for the year was White directed by Uday Ananthan and Thoppil Joppan, directed
by Johny Antony marking their fourth collaboration.[176]