5 QUESTIONS
BILLBOARD
BOX OFFICE
MAKING WAVES
MEMORIES
MOVIES CHAT
QUOTE MARTIAL
REVIEWS
ROUGH CUTS
SHORT TAKES
SOUTHERN SPICE
THE LIST
WISH THE STARS
ARCHIVES

'He is a courageous actor'

Shobha Warrier

In the book of credits, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's name will certainly figure prominently: as the director who introduced Mammootty as a great actor.

Anantharam was that path-breaking film.

It was only natural that in the later Adoor-directed Mathilukal and Vidheyan, Mammootty won National Awards.

Who better than the director himself to talk about Mammootty the actor?

As a rule, I don't watch Indian commercial films. But I certainly don't miss a chance to watch good films.

I noticed Mammootty in K G George's films. In fact, I noticed him right in his first film, Mela. He was good in Yavanika, too. So in a sense, I have to thank George's films for sparking my interest in Mammootty.

I'm always looking for actors who can portray my characters. Ashokan was the main character in Anantharam, but I needed another actor as his elder brother.

Now, this elder brother was better than in him in looks, profession and in real life. So my search was not just for an actor, but attractive and imposing person -- physically and personality-wise.

Mammootty was the man who came to mind when I thought of the character.

He is a very ambitious actor. Usually, a star prefers to act in films that consolidate his position as a star and not jeopardise it. Mammootty isn't like that.

Take his role in Vidheyan. Were he concerned about his stardom, he wouldn't have acted in it -- there were negative shades to the character. In fact, we made him look unattractive and ugly, to suit the thoroughly unlikeable character. But he had no qualms about enacting it.

That is why I call Mammootty a courageous actor -- he is willing to go beyond the trappings of a star.

Also read:
'Acting is like firing a bullet'
'People want entertainment'
'Why would I harbour any jealousy?'
'He is king!'
'I would have been surprised if he hadn't won any National Award'
'He made my job easy!'
'I felt relieved only after the censor board certified Ambedkar''
'Ambedkar was a humanist. I am also for the human race'
The dalit messiah
'Gandhi pushed Ambedkar to the edge'
Mammootty and Mohanlal to act together
Team of 48
Pick of the pics