Mammootty, the great Malayalam actor, seemed at the sunset of his illustrious acting journey by year 2021. Many of the actor’s recent movie releases had been indifferent, one-man army, invincible hero takes, but for Khalid Rahman’s police drama Unda (2019).
But something was drastically changing in Mammootty’s choices, unknown to cine goers. The 1951-born actor consciously began taking risks, experimenting, playing vulnerable, human characters, leading to a return of the sublime ‘vintage Mammootty.’
Here is a 9 PM Movies recommendation of the best six new Mammootty movies:
Bheeshma Parvam (2022)
Bheeshma Parvam (The Chapter of Bheeshma) is a clever mash from Mario Puzo’s book and Francis Ford Coppola’s movie The Godfather and some lovely, inspired takes on the characters and spirit of the timeless Indian epic Mahabharata. The result is a largely grounded gangster drama, but from some exaggerated action moves.
Mammootty towers above the ensemble, even as writers Amal Neerad (also director) and Devadath Shaji, ensure that the star doesn’t overshadow the story. Just watching Mammootty saying, “Jao (Go),” is a lesson in dialogue delivery and expressions. Featuring delightful dark turns by Malayalam veterans K.P.A.C. Lalita and Nedumudi Venu, strong acts by Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Shine Tom Chacko, Anagha, Nadhiya, among others.
Sushin Shyam’s excellent EDM-inspired score builds the legend of the lead character Micheal and adds to Mammootty’s Vito Corleone like persona. Bheeshma Parvam‘s success triggered the Mammootty revival.
Puzhu (2022)
When did a lead actor last play a prejudiced father, nursing a quiet, menacing hate for his younger sister for marrying ‘below her caste’? This tense Ratheena PT directorial is strongly effective due to Mammootty’s terrific subtle take.
Parvathy, Appunni Sasi and Vasudev Sasi add weight to the unfolding, tense drama. But for the shocker and too convenient finale, Puzhu (Worm) is an effective tale on how caste prejudices aren’t about who is educated or illiterate.
Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2023)
Apart from Shoojit Sircar, Lijo Jose Pellissery is my favourite Indian director of this decade. This little gem on sleep and consciousness, dreams and the unnoticed miracle of awakening, the mysteries of human existence, births and rebirths…makes strangeness look cool.
The delightful, art-rocketed tale that Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (Like an Afternoon Dream) is, it takes someone as mainstream as Mammootty to back this mix of absurdity and clarity to create an arthouse classic.
Watch Mammootty ace a complex role with seeming ease, his new production company backing the project added to the deserving positive word-of-mouth and revived the Mammootty acting legend, as king of Malayalam experimental and drama movies.
Kannur Squad (2023)
Roby Varghese Raj’s Kannur Squad uses Mammootty’s star image cleverly in what could have been another average police procedural. Take for instance the mandatory star introduction scene. The moving vehicle wiper reveals Mammootty, as he wipes the vehicle glass. It is a simple action of efficiency by a police officer, not played up for style. But Sushin Shyam’s score plays up the moment to heroic elevation.
The action sequences are largely believable. But when Mammootty fights the goons, they tend to go airborne and in turns and twists. It is a sly director’s move, to keep Mammootty’s character grounded, but using the score and some action sequences to pitch up his star image a bit.
From the lovely non-linear start, Kannur Squad settles into an entertaining, if a tad long police action drama with a delightfully restrained Mammootty. Featuring good support acts by Rony David Raj, Azees Nedumangad, Shabareesh Varma and Kishore. The only downer is the lack of tightness in the action, but the veteran actor shows he still looks and acts 15 years younger.
Kaathal – The Core (2023)
Malayalam movies has had major stars playing gay characters, but at the rarest of the rarest times, surprising for an industry known for convincingly pulling off offbeat and ‘bold’ themes. Though the screenplay doesn’t go bold in showing the gay characters in any form of hand holding or intimacy, I can’t think of any 71-year-old star attempting what Mammootty does here.
Watch out for that heartbreaking bittersweet scene with Jyothika, as a seemingly calm man breaks down and finds unexpected support in a soon-to-be-separated partner. Despite the convenient turns, where almost everyone seems to be forgiving of the lead character’s sexual orientation, this is a sensitive drama helmed by director Jeo Baby.
Bramayugam (2024)
Can no man escape the lure of limitless power and the temptation to impose themselves over others even at the stake of their soul?
This terrific Rahul Sadasivan horror drama, daringly shot in black-and-white, gets most of its experimentative pacing, sound effects and concept right. Like the best Malayalam movies, the focus is on the underlying message, rather than the jump scares, gore, ghosts, goblins, sorcerers, action-heavy resolution and hapless court singers.
Set in 17th century Kerala, Sadasivan uses atmosphere, Christo Xavier’s terrific spaced-out score, the jungle and ruined home setting to deliver a horror movie masterclass.
Mammootty is stunning, how he uses the prosthetics to scary effect is a veteran actor at the peak of his powers. Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan are first rate too.
Mammootty: Just warming up?Â
Was it that the realization that he may soon not be able to play lead roles that brought this unprecedented change of choices by Mammooty? That only the actor can tell.
The upcoming releases promise to be as exciting, and this adventurous phase of the seasoned 72-year-old actor seems set for a long cinematic summer. Cheers to that, fellow cine goers!
(Article by Snehith Kumbla)
