Even so, in the vast expanse of Indian cinema where stardom is mostly based on formulaic "mass" heroics, Mammootty is one of the few who dares to reinvent himself. As he turns 74, the Malayalam hero isn't just holding his ground; he's thriving in a "renaissance" phase that attracts younger actors to the scene. While most superstars his age settle for safe, legacy-building roles, Mammootty is taking on roles as serial killers, complex LGBTQ+ characters, and even supernatural beings.
The Shock-Worthy "Betrayal" by Dulquer Salmaan
During the promotional tour for his high-octane action thriller Patriot, the actor shared a very funny story about his son, the pan-Indian star Dulquer Salmaan. Central to the story is the 2025 film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer’s Wayfarer Films, the superhero hit was a blockbuster, surpassing the ₹300 crore mark globally. Mammootty was the voice of a mysterious, god-like figure named ‘Moothon’ in the film: a shock to fans. But as a superstar, he was "tricked" into that role, he said.
“At first, Dulquer didn’t even come to me,” Mammootty joked recently, in an interview. “His manager and friend approached me asking for just one voice-over just the word ‘Venda’ (No). I agreed to this, and it seemed insignificant to me. My first thoughts about the movie took a long time, however, when it came out and I finally realized that I was in it. They even used a body double for the hand gesture and claimed it was me. Of course, honest to God, my son tricked me into that part.”
Asked if he would return for the sequel, Mammootty still had his usual wit. Though Dulquer had announced at the outset that it would be difficult for him to persuade his father to sign on for Chapter 2, the veteran actor offered a different perspective: “It’s more than convincing me to act; they’ve got to convince me on my pay! And if they pay my fees, I’m settled!"
The Epic Reunion: Patriot
The Lokah banter was a source of a ton of laughs, though the real focus will be on Mammootty’s next big release Patriot. This film will be released on May 1, 2026, and is already praised as one of the most ambitious films in Malayalam cinema history. The movie’s biggest selling point is that the “Big Ms” Mammootty and Mohanlal are sharing significant screen space after nearly two decades. Patriot is a spy thriller directed by Mahesh Narayanan and starring an extraordinary cast here:
- JAG ex-officer Mammootty – framed as an espionage figure.
- Mohanlal as a battle-hardened operative who assists him.
- Fahadh Faasil in a key role with some mysterious shades.
- Nayanthara, delivering a powerhouse leading performance.
The versatile icon
Mammootty’s current track record is a testament to his artistic hunger. Whether he is a “Rakshasa” experimenting in horror or a father looking for a partner for his daughter in a socially relevant drama, he remains the most versatile superstar in the country. It is his willingness to accept roles that other stars wouldn't even dream of that makes him top of the heap in Indian cinema.
Now, as the world awaits Patriot and its release on May 1, the message here is clear: age is just a number for Mammootty and his “experimental era” is just getting started.
