Mammootty has reached a point where it's no longer about the box office performance. His recent choice of films has demonstrated a strong desire to take on characters that are unlike anything he has done before, regardless of their total gross and critics’ reception.
The man continues to surprise all, and his upcoming release, Kalamkaval, the company's 7th production, is expected to present another never-before-seen turn from the megastar.
Ahead of the film's release, the actor engaged in an interaction on the official channel of his production house with the host and his Ganagandharvan co-star Santhi Mayadevi. Upon being asked if she is talking to a hero or villain, Mammootty simply replies, "Neither. You're talking to an actor."
He elaborates that typecasting limits opportunities for actors. "A hero has limitations. Once you move into senior roles, more varied options open up. People say I play the 'villain' in the film. I would just say he is... not a good soul."
As for the criteria that his banner MammoottyKampany has for choosing scripts, the actor shares that it's usually projects that other producers are not keen on doing or something that the producer hadn't imagined with him in it, or one that may not necessarily guarantee a definite commercial success. And if the idea is to do a commercial cinema, it has to have, for him, "something unique," citing examples like Rorschach, Kannur Squad and Turbo.
When the script of Kalamkaval came to him, he simply decided to play the "other side" in the hope of doing something "surprising" and "inspiring," which is what he aspires to with every film.
"The character has to be distinct, instantly identifiable. 'Oh, this character belongs to this particular film.' It should be a character whose traits are readily recognisable," says Mammootty.
When asked where he finds the courage for image-breaking, Mammootty reveals, “More than courage, it’s simply the urge to do different roles. I don't want to ignore the actor in me. I want to continue satisfying him."
For aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers who wish to work with him, Mammootty’s simple advice is this: Don't picture him while writing a script, but rather "write a character."
"If you see me in mind, that character will become me. But you just write a character without picturing me in it, that's when different kinds of films happen," he concludes.
