`Never planned my career'
P. K. AJITH KUMAR
|
Roles that tap his versatility as an actor give Mammootty an edge over many other actors in Malayalam cinema.
|
I think I am a methodically natural actor.
EVERGREEN HERO: Mammootty says that he has acted in some of the best films that have been made in India.
Malayalam cinema's evergreen hero Mammootty continues to experiment with roles, themes and costumes.
"I feel I should always have something different in my films," explains Mammootty. "In `Pothan Vava,' which I would call a social cinema instead of a comedy, action or family film, I play a man who is brought up without a religion, as his father is a Brahmin and mother a Christian. I feel this film is quite relevant today, as the caste system still exists in our society."
Blessy's `Palunku,' in which Mammootty plays the lead, also tackles a relevant theme. "It's a tough role. My character Monichan demands certain subtleties. He is a small-time farmer who is not very educated. But when he starts interacting with a consumeristic society, he becomes ambitious and greedy. The film is about how the changes impacts on him and his family."
Kamal's `Karutha Pakshikal' and Ranjith's `Kayyoppu' are among the films to look forward to for Mammootty fans. "Besides, I will be doing a film by Shyamaprasad and another with Fazil, which is being written by Siddique. Then there is Amal Neeraj's `Bodyguard.' I am also doing films with Major Ravi and K.K. Rajeev," reels off Mammootty.
The actor is also looking forward to `Thalakkal Chanthu,' for which the `Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' team - Hariharan, M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Mammootty - is reuniting.
Agreeing that there would be the added pressure of great expectations, he says, "Yes, we are aware of that. We are hoping to make another classic like `Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha.' I think it is going to be a landmark film for Malayalam cinema. Chanthu, a member of the Kurichian tribe, was supposed to be Pazhassi Raja's lieutenant. The film is about him and how he gets drawn into the freedom fight movement." Mammootty says he learnt mostly on the job. "I won't say I am not basically talented; if there is no talent I wouldn't have become what I am. There are people who go by a certain pattern in acting, but I don't. Everyone says I am a method actor, but I think am a methodically natural actor."
Outstanding films
He is proud that he has been able to act in some outstanding films over the last 25 years or so. "I believe I have acted in some of the best films made in India, more than any other actor. Although my roles may have been small at times, they are great films, whether you call it parallel cinema or offbeat," he says. And Mammootty points out that he achieved it while being a part of mainstream cinema.
"But I have never planned my career. I did not plan to do a certain film at one stage and then another one at a certain other point of time. You can't plan anything in cinema; it's not a 9 to 5 job. And, as a student of law, I did not even plan to become an actor. I had a desire to become an actor and am happy that I have become one; I consider everything else as a bonus. And, of course, I am working very hard to maintain what I have achieved."
* * *
The `real' Mammootty
During an interview, yesteryear heroine Vidhubala made an interesting observation about Mammootty.
"If someone who does not know Mammootty were to see `Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha,' `Ponthan Mada,' `Vidheyan,' and `Mrugaya' back to back, he would have wondered who the real Mammootty is."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
