Latest news with #Mammootty
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dulquer Salmaan turns 42: From 'Ustad Hotel' to 'Lucky Baskhar', a look at his iconic movies
Actor Dulquer Salmaan, popularly known as DQ, turned 42 on July 28. Known for his hits across Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, Salmaan has explored various roles, be it a die-hard romantic, a ruthless gangster and everything in between. Some of the most prominent hits Salmaan has delivered include the Malayalam hits Ustad Hotel, Charlie, Bangalore Days, the Tamil and Telugu romantic flicks O Kadhal Kanmani (remade as OK Jaanu in Hindi) and Sita Ramam, the thriller drama Lucky Baskhar and the acclaimed Netflix series Guns and Gulaabs. Son of the veteran actor Mammootty, Salmaan is a nepo kid, but he has the effort and the hits to show alongside his name. Let's take a look at some of his biggest hits, across languages. 'Ustad Hotel' The movie that marked Salmaan's arrival on the big stage, aided by a stellar cast that packs a hefty cinematic punch. Directed by Anjali Menon, Ustad Hotel often ranks among movie lists that people tend to revisit. Salmaan plays Faizi, a sous chef educated abroad who discovers the bond with his grandfather when he decides to work at the latter's restaurant and help revive it. In addition, Salmaan goes on a journey of self discovery. Menen, Thilakan and Salmaan bring to life their wonderfully written roles in this feel-good Malayalam movie that was a box-office hit and wowed critics. 'Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi' This road adventure Malayalam film has acquired cult status over the years. Two friends (Dulquer Salmaan and Sunny Wayne) go on a road trip across India, from the south to the north-east, and the experiences along the way shape them. Poignant and entertaining, the movie directed by Sameer Thahir is often credited with the rise of the biker culture in the south Indian state of Kerala. 'Bangalore Days' For long considered the bellwether of feel-good movies in Malayalam, Anjali Menon's Bangalore Days (2014) featured an array of stars — Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil, Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim and Parvathy Thiruvothu — and an engaging story of three cousins who move from Kerala to Bengaluru. Salmaan plays Aju, who starts off on the wrong foot with his brother-in-law (played by a restrained Faasil), but finds love and destiny in the city. Salmaan, Nazim and Pauly portray the affectionate cousins in this heartwarming tale of people discovering roots in the metro. 'O Kadhal Kanmani' Directed by Mani Ratnam, this 2015 Tamil movie saw Salmaan paired alongside Nithya Menen once again and was praised for its charming and realistic portrayal of present-day romance. Salmaan plays Adhi, a video-game developer who falls head over heels with Tara (Menen) in Mumbai. The two clearly like each other but want to prioritise their careers, and grapple with questions like live-in relationship or marriage. Aside from Salmaan and Menen's performances, OK Kanmani is also remembered for AR Rahman's effervescent music score. 'Lucky Baskhar' One of Salmaan's biggest hits, the Telugu movie sees him portray Baskhar, a banker from the early 1990s, who wants to break free of middle-class living. Salmaan's character moves into the grey moral zone, ready to bend rules and turn the blind eye if it means buying fancy goods for his school-going kid and supporting his wife's business. Directed by Venky Atluri, Lucky Baskhar boasts an ensemble cast, including Meenakshi Chaudhary, Tinnu Anand, Sai Kumar and Ramki, and is best known for it realistic portrayal of Mumbai in the 1990s (think the Premier Padmini taxis, the Harshad Mehta financial scandal, among others) and a riveting finale. Other honourable mentions: Comrade in America (Malayalam), Kamaatipaadam (Malayalam) Charlie (Malayalam), Sita Ramam (Telugu), Karvaan (Hindi), Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (Tamil), Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (Tamil).
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
When VS Achuthanandan's ultimatum prompted Mammootty to backtrack on Rs 2 crore Coca-Cola ad deal: ‘He can't do both'
Celebrities becoming brand ambassadors for soft drink companies is nothing new, especially in India. From Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor to Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Mahesh Babu and Yash, the list is very long. Hence, when he received an offer from soft drink manufacturer giant Coca-Cola in the early 2000s to become its face in South India, it might not have taken Malayalam megastar Mammootty long to agree to the lucrative deal. However, he soon realised that he had made an impetuous mistake, mainly since the company was embroiled in the Plachimada legal battle. But by then, the controversy had escalated significantly, with even Marxist party strongman VS Achuthanandan, the then Leader of the Opposition (LoP), issuing an ultimatum to the actor. For the unversed, Mammootty has been serving as the chairman of Malayalam Communications Ltd, which runs the television channels Kairali TV, Kairali News, and Kairali We, since the time it was established in 2000. Kairali Channel group is backed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which was at the forefront of the Plachimada struggle, and CPI-M leader VS Achuthanandan was one of the leading proponents of the anti-Coca-Cola plant movement that spread across Kerala like wildfire. After Mammootty signed a deal, reportedly worth Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million), with the Coca-Cola company, many stepped forward denouncing the megastar's move. Both Plachimada activists and CPI-M leaders and workers came down heavily on him for accepting the offer while they were all protesting against the plant that severely damaged local water sources in the village of Plachimada, Palakkad district. Soon after his decision courted controversy, Mammootty pointed out that the product was not banned in the country and claimed that 'it is, after all, a good drink'. He reportedly told media persons, 'When I accept the offer, I will seek a guarantee that Coke does not overexploit groundwater as alleged and whatever water it uses is replaced or that it finds alternative sources without dipping into the common person's sources of drinking water. Also, there is no bar on the channel (Kairali) accepting Coke advertisements.' Responding to reporters' queries regarding Mammootty's decision to collaborate with Coca-Cola, VS Achuthanandan was quoted as saying by Madhyamam, 'He can't do both. Either Mammootty can continue as the chairman of Kairali, or he can become the ambassador of Coca-Cola.' Talking to Rediff, VS said back then, 'I think Mammootty should not take up the advertising deal because everyone knows how companies like Coca Cola have left the people of a village dry.' According to the protestors, the plant had been depleting groundwater, leading to drying up of water resources in the area and eventually resulting in a drought. However, with VS — known for his strong stances on anti-corruption, environmentalism and land rights — making both his and the party's position unequivocally clear, Mammootty soon withdrew his decision. Given that the party strongman, who passed away on July 21, consistently took unwavering positions on matters concerning public welfare, the megastar knew more than well that reversing his decision was the only plausible solution here. The Plachimada Coca-Cola plant was eventually closed forever.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Malayalam megastars are doing what Bollywood hesitates to: Redefining the Indian man
In Indian cinema, masculinity has long had a template – broad shoulders, clenched jaws, an aversion to tears, and an unyielding sense of control. Vulnerability is rare, flamboyance is frowned upon, and queerness is almost taboo. To deviate from this image is to risk ridicule, rejection, or worse – irrelevance. And yet, in a consistent act of defiance, a handful of performances and projects dismantle this myth of masculinity. One of Malayalam cinema's most enduring legends, Mohanlal, recently appeared in a jewellery advertisement that made waves – not because it was outlandish, but because it was so quietly subversive. In the ad, the 65-year-old star is seen wearing bridal jewellery, comfortable in his skin, and absolutely unapologetic. He strikes classical mudras whilst admiring himself in the mirror in his vanity van. There's no caricature, no winking at the camera, no self-preservation – only an actor willing to stretch his horizons, to explore, to express. When he is 'caught' trying on women's jewellery, Mohanlal smiles, and so does the person who finds him. There is no embarrassment in the exchange, no macho posturing. It is an act of gender-nonconforming performance, and Mohanlal does it without self-consciousness. In a society where gender expression is tightly policed, such an act by a male superstar, especially one of Mohanlal's stature, challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions. And that, in today's India, is a form of quiet rebellion. A couple of years ago, another stalwart of the Malayalam film industry, Mammootty, portrayed a closeted gay man married to a woman (Jyothika) in Kaathal: The Core (2023), a character battling internalised shame and the weight of societal expectations. The film doesn't offer cheap drama or caricature queerness. Instead, it presents a restrained, intimate portrait of a man torn between duty and identity – an experience countless queer people in India continue to live through. The backlash was swift. Right-wing and conservative groups called for a boycott of the film. Muslim clerics, too, criticised the film's portrayal of homosexuality, calling it an attempt to 'brainwash the youth'. What made Mammootty's choice especially powerful is that he did not distance himself from the role after the backlash. He stood by it. No apologies, no explanations, just conviction. Both Mohanlal, and Mammootty's portrayals were sincere, dignified, and unafraid. At a time when most male stars, particularly in Bollywood, are still clinging to rigid, outdated ideas of manhood, these actors show that maturity doesn't mean safety. It means freedom — not to protect their image, but to expand the space for what men can look like, feel like, and act like on screen; not as a parody, but as a performance. Mainstream Hindi cinema has manufactured a singular idea of the Indian man: Emotionally distant, physically dominant, often angry, rarely vulnerable. The hero is rarely queer, almost always flamboyant, and if he cries, it must be in the heat of battle or in the shadow of revenge. To wear a nose ring, drape a saree, or play a man in love with another man – these are choices that threaten to 'feminise' the hero in the eyes of a market that still equates masculinity with power, and power with dominance. So only a few movies, such as Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), dare to go where others haven't. The fear is not of artistic failure, it is of image erosion. It is also commercial. Bollywood remains deeply conservative, and while urban audiences may appreciate nuance, large segments of the film-viewing public and financiers continue to associate masculinity with aggression, dominance, and heteronormative desire. But this rigidity doesn't just stunt creativity. It stifles emotional truth. When our stories only show one kind of man – silent, stoic, alpha – what do young boys learn about expressing pain, seeking intimacy, or embracing vulnerability? The damage spills beyond the cinema. It seeps into homes, schools, relationships – boys are told to stop crying, to assert, instead of feeling and listening. There have been disruptions along the way, though. Kamal Haasan portrayed an effeminate dancer in Vishwaroopam (2013). Vijay Sethupathi broke new ground with his role as a trans woman in Super Deluxe (2019), bringing vulnerability, complexity, and care to a character that could easily have been reduced to a trope. Moving away from the south, Atul Kulkarni gave a devastating performance as a nachya performing in '70s Maharashtrian tamashas in 2010's Natrang. The younger generation, in a rare experiment, followed suit with Riddhi Sen's National Award-winning turn in 2019's Bengali film Nagarkirtan. But these remain exceptions. Portrayals in Bollywood specifically have always been an inch away from caricatures. Most actors fear the repercussions: From losing roles and endorsements to being trolled online. This fear is real. But the silence that results from it is dangerous. As older, influential male icons, what Mohanlal and Mammootty have done is brave because they are choosing roles not out of necessity, but out of a sense of artistic freedom. They are not selling youth. They are not hawking testosterone. They are, instead, inhabiting the vast emotional landscapes that masculinity so often ignores — pain, shame, tenderness. And in doing so, they're giving younger actors and audiences permission to imagine masculinity beyond muscle and machismo, as something much more than a straitjacket.
India Today
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Mohanlal embraces femininity, Mammootty plays gay: How superstars redefine heroism
Hypermasculinity seems to be a term that many heroes have been gravitating towards for the past few years. But, two leading superstars, Mohanlal, 65, and Mammootty, 73, from the Malayalam film industry are quietly revolutionising their heroic image, thereby breaking stereotypes and becoming trendsetters.A hero is not just a man who breaks bones, utters sermonic dialogues and is a saviour for the masses. And being in a film industry which is often criticised for its skewed stereotypes and conventional hero archetypes, Mohanlal and Mammootty, redefined masculinity with their latest MOHANLAL EMBRACED FEMININITYRecently, Mohanlal starred in a commercial for a jewellery brand. Truth to be told, every jewellery commercial will usually opt for a heroine or a woman to promote their brand. But, this brand chose Mohanlal, one of the pillars of Malayalam cinema. The 110-second commercial, directed by acclaimed ad filmmaker Prakash Varma, featured Mohanlal embracing femininity. Without a single dialogue, the actor was seen wearing diamond ornaments and striking feminine poses and admiring himself in front of the mirror. His expressions exuded unmatched elegance and one needs a lot of confidence to pull it off without being caricaturish. Being an ad, this could have been just another collaboration, but it is a powerful statement about inclusivity. The 65-year-old actor stepped out of his comfort zone to showcase a feminine side, showcasing the strength and hold in his craft. It's a welcoming departure from the norm of hypermasculine PLAYED A HOMOSEXUAL IN KAATHALIf Mohanlal's chose to embrace his feminine side, Mammootty made a significant contribution in bringing inclusivity to the big screens when he played a homosexual man in director Jeo Baby's 'Kaathal - The Core'. In his early seventies, when you are seen as a man belonging to an older generation, playing a gay person on screen is a path-breaking decision coming from a role and the film could have gone either way. But, it transcended borders, spoke to the minority and also received a lot of love from people across the globe. Mammootty's portrayal wasn't just mere acting - it was a statement that Malayalam megastars are willing to push boundaries. WHY THIS IS A TRENDSETTING MOVEMohanlal and Mammootty aren't just any actors. They are megastars who have established themselves over the years. While they are nearing the end of their careers, they don't have anything left to prove. Yet, their decisions in playing such roles, be it a commercial or a film, signal their quest to explore new challenges and maturity in portraying such complex a time when many films poke fun at transgender people and promote homophobia, the reach of Mohanlal's commercial and Mammootty's film's success highlights a meaningful change. Sexuality, even in 2025, is a taboo topic in our country. When two of the biggest actors in the country choose such portrayals, it normalises expressions of fluidity and there has been a bit of backlash from traditionalists, many praised the two actors' choice and conviction to portray such roles. It leads to larger conversations about understanding, acceptance and is for all and love is for all. And with these bold yet thoughtful choices, these Malayalam actors are wielding their powers to push creative boundaries and be a representative of change in contemporary Indian cinema.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Box office flops, unforgettable characters: When characters won, but the films didn't
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Ever been in a condition where you really loved a movie character, but not the movie? Then we are on the same line here. Especially in Malayalam cinema, there have been several impressive characters that still rule social media, but the films actually failed to impress the audiences. Performances outshine the film Some directors care a lot for their characters in the movie, even more than the actual script. In some ways, there is a rule that the audience should be able to connect to the character, and then only the script will work, as the viewers will be emotionally invested in a particular character or a group of characters. But this can go wrong in many ways, as even if the character seems to be interesting, the script fails to impress. Take, for example, Suraj Venjaramoodu's character Dasamoolam Daamu from Mammootty's 'Chattambinaadu'. All thanks to Suraj's stunning performance, Dasamoolam Daamu still rules social media in memes, trolls, and others. Coming to the film 'Chattambi Naadu', did it work well? A strong 'NO' would be the answer. (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) 'Sometimes, even a full-length character goes unnoticed' - Actress Amalda Liz Bramayugam - Official Trailer In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actress Amalda Liz opened up about the same topic. Speaking about her Yakshi role in Mammootty's 'Bramayugam', she says, 'The desire to portray a 'Yakshi' role has always been within me, so when Rahul Sadasivan, the director, reached out, we immediately bonded over this particular character. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo We delved into character sketches and other preparatory measures that aided me in shaping my role. Subsequently, we conducted numerous look tests and trial shoots. Additionally, I had already envisioned the character's essence in post-production, which further facilitated my preparation process.' Amalda further said, 'Watching 'Bramayugam' made it clear to me that it's undoubtedly a classic in the horror genre of Malayalam cinema. Also, sometimes, even with a full-length character, it can go unnoticed, but this kind of response to my short-length character was unexpected.' Meanwhile, 'Bramayugam' is a classic example of how characters and story also go hand in hand and impress the audience. Even Amalda Liz's brief Yakshi character stays with you for long after the end credits roll. 'Playing a character from Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's story really excited me' - Pooja Mohanraj Aashiq Abu's 'Neelavelicham', which is a remake of the Prem Nazir starrer by the same name, unfortunately flopped at the box office. While the original film has several memorable characters, why did the remake, which was filled with the same characters, failed to impress? Here, the issue was with the storyline and execution, for sure. 'Neelavelicham's story would have been definitely impressive decades back, but now? No. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actress Pooja Mohanraj who played the role of Latha in 'Neelavelicham' said, 'When I got roped in for the role of Bhargavi's friend character Latha, people were asking me two extreme things. One section among them was actually afraid of whether the remake of such a classic film 'Bhargavi Nilayam' would work well and another section said to me that this film is going to be a magnificent one. Playing a character from Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's story really excited me.' In short, there are several examples ranging from Mohanlal's character Mathew Manjooran in B Unnikrishnan's 'Villain' to Mammootty's Bilal John Kurishingal ('Big B' reportedly didn't do well at the box office). Suvh movies may have flopped, but their characters shine.
