The Evolution of Cameos in Mollywood: Shifting from Star Value to Stellar Performances

Time of India

a day ago

Films, which often thrive at the box office due to their star cast and gripping plots, sometimes conceal unexpected 'wow' factors that delight both audiences and critics who live and breathe cinema.
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Regardless of the language, one such standout element is the cameo appearance by actors — brief yet impactful moments that often become the most talked-about aspects of a film.
Initially, these cameos served as opportunities to utilise big stars and their stardom in a film. Later, they underwent a paradigm shift, evolving into performance-oriented roles. At first, such roles created doubts in the audience's minds, as they found it difficult to accept their favourite stars playing such small parts.
However, this eventually gave rise to a sense of curiosity among viewers. In the past, cameos were primarily used to introduce plot twists, often resolving the protagonist's struggles and helping them move forward.
This emotion was effectively captured by
's cameo in
's Narasimham — arguably one of the most memorable cameos in Mollywood to date.
Over time, any actor could appear in films in cameo roles, often as a break from the main cast, rather than aiming to give fans goosebumps.
One such example is Suraj Venjaramoodu's role in Action Hero Biju, where his performance-based character left a lasting impression. It hardly felt like a cameo, given the emotional depth of his role.
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Is it important to have a cameo role in a film? In recent times, the phenomenon has become a hotbed for fan speculation and rumours about actors' involvement in various films. Many big-budget films in South Indian cinema and Bollywood incorporate stars from other industries to generate hype and boost box office performance in their respective regions.
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Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD is a case in point, with numerous cameo appearances that sparked audience excitement and offered a refreshing touch in every frame.
Similarly, Rajinikanth's Jailer strategically used this trend by including Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar in prominent roles, turning it into a business and box office success. Let's take a look at how cameo roles in Mollywood have evolved over the years:
Mohanlal
Mohanlal's cameo in Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989), directed by Kamal and written by
, saw him playing a pivotal role. In this
starrer, he portrayed Achutha Kurup, a businessman who brought an unexpected twist to the story.
He also appeared as himself in the 1988 film Manu Uncle, starring Mammootty. Directed by Dennis Joseph, Mohanlal made a brief appearance interacting with children in a light-hearted moment.
In 2006, he had an extended cameo in Kilukkam Kilukilukkam, playing Joji, the brother of Kavya Madhavan's character. Directed by Sandhya Mohan and written by Udayakrishna–Siby K. Thomas, the film also featured Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Innocent in key roles.
Most recently, Mohanlal appeared in a cameo in Rajinikanth's Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. His character came to Rajinikanth's aid during a critical juncture and was positioned as a towering figure to satisfy his fanbase. Shiva Rajkumar's cameo in the same film also generated considerable buzz, making Jailer a hot topic in both Malayalam and Kannada-speaking regions.
Mammootty
One of the most iconic cameos in Mollywood remains Mammootty's portrayal of Nandagopal Marar in Narasimham (2000).
His entry during a crucial moment for Mohanlal's character and his punch dialogues struck the right chord with the audience. The combination of Mammootty and Mohanlal is a timeless one, and director Shaji Kailas, along with writer Ranjith, leveraged it effectively.
In 2024, Mammootty played an extended cameo in Abraham Ozler, directed by
and starring Jayaram. His character, Alexander, delivered a powerful emotional impact with his tragic backstory and compelling revenge arc, leaving audiences in awe.
Thilakan
The cult psychological horror Manichitrathazhu (1993), directed by Fazil, featured Thilakan in a memorable cameo alongside Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi. He played Pullattuparambra Brahmadathan Namboothiripad, a tantric expert and trusted friend of Mohanlal's character, Sunny.
Oduvil Unnikrishnan
In Devasuram, Oduvil Unnikrishnan portrayed Peringodu Sankara Marar in a brief yet profound role. His bond with Mohanlal's character was subtly conveyed through dialogues and limited screen time, making it one of the most enduring cameos in Malayalam cinema.
Kalpana
Kalpana's cameo in Charlie (2015), starring Dulquer Salmaan and directed by Martin Prakkat, struck an emotional chord with viewers. Her intense performance brought a deeper layer to the narrative and is considered one of her finest works.
Suraj Venjaramoodu
Suraj Venjaramoodu captivated audiences with his role as Pavithran in Action Hero Biju (2016), starring Nivin Pauly. He played a weary father and husband devastated by his wife's extramarital affair.
His heartfelt plea for his child moved audiences deeply, and that particular scene continues to circulate on social media as both meme and art.
Renji Panicker
Renji Panicker's cameo in Premam (2015), directed by Alphonse Puthren, became a fan favourite. Playing David Kalapparambath, the father of George (Nivin Pauly), his bold retort to a college principal made him an overnight icon — the "cool dad" on social media.
Nivin Pauly
In Aanandam (2016), directed by Ganesh Raj, Nivin Pauly made a surprise cameo as the brother of Thomas Mathew's character.
The unexpected appearance thrilled fans and added to the youthful vibe of the film.
Vineeth Sreenivasan
In Jacobinte Swargarajyam, starring Nivin Pauly and Renji Panicker, director Vineeth Sreenivasan also appeared as Yusuf Shah. The film's engaging family drama, plot twists, and heartwarming tone made it one of the most appreciated releases of the year.
Biju Menon
Biju Menon's cameo in Kunjiramayanam (2015), directed by Basil Joseph, added a comic twist to the film.
He played Manoharan, who comes to marry a local girl amidst a village curse on marriages. The character elevated the comedy, making it one of the most enjoyable films in the genre after a long time.
Dulquer Salmaan
Dulquer appeared as a special guest in Annmariya Kalippilaanu, directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. Playing an angelic figure for the titular character Annmariya, his role complemented the film's emotional and uplifting tone.
The movie also starred Sara Arjun, Sunny Wayne, and Aju Varghese.
Lal Jose
Director Lal Jose played an extended cameo as author Jacob Tharakan in Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, starring Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Renji Panicker, and Aju Varghese. The film, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, was a coming-of-age romantic comedy that resonated with youth.