Every superstar has that one moment, the kind that quietly changes everything. For Mammootty, it didn’t come with flashing lights or overnight fame, but with a simple envelope that left him stunned.
Long
before he became one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors, Mammootty’s journey was anything but straightforward. His first appearance on screen dates back to 1971 in Anubhavangal Paalichakal, directed by KS Sethumadhavan. The film starred Sathyan, Prem Nazir and Sheela, but Mammootty’s role was barely noticeable, a silent bystander with no dialogue.
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That brief appearance was followed by another uncredited role in Kalachakram (1973), where he played a boatman and had a few lines. However, these early efforts did not immediately translate into opportunities. With limited roles coming his way, he chose to focus on his education and eventually began practising law, all while holding on to his ambition of becoming an actor.
It wasn’t until 1980 that things began to shift. Mammootty landed his first credited role in Azad’s Vilkkanundu Swapnangal. While the role gave him visibility, it did not instantly propel him to stardom. But that same year, his performance in filmmaker KG George’s Mela proved to be a turning point, marking the beginning of a career that has now spanned over four decades.
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Interestingly, Mammootty’s casting in Mela came through actor Sreenivasan, who at the time was still establishing himself in the industry. The two had previously worked together in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal and shared a friendship. Recalling the moment during a Kairali TV talk show, Sreenivasan said, “They needed a smart, good-looking young man for that role. Hearing this, I told them that there’s a person named Mammootty in Ernakulam. He works as a lawyer and had done a role in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal. Since Mela’s cinematographer Ramachandra Babu himself headed the department in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal, he also knew Mammootty and supported my suggestion. ‘He would be apt for that role,’ Babu attested. That’s how Mammootty came on board Mela.”
Mela primarily revolved around the life of a circus clown, Govindankutty, played by Raghu, and his wife Sharada, portrayed by Anjali Naidu. Mammootty played Vijayan, a bike jumper and close friend of the protagonist, a role that, while not central, left a strong impression.
It was during the dubbing phase in Madras (now Chennai) that Mammootty encountered a moment he would not forget. Sreenivasan recalled, “As Mammootty was gearing up to return home after completing his portions, I handed over to him his remuneration, which the producers had entrusted to me. He was shell-shocked to see the amount: Rs 800. Apparently, all he had received for his role in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal was Rs 50. So, it was understandable that he was stunned upon receiving Rs 800. He told me, ‘I’m going to have a blast in Ernakulam with this money.’ That’s when I realised that he wasn’t making much from his lawyer job.”
Reflecting on his association with the actor, Sreenivasan added, “As the person who secured him the opportunity in Mela, Mammootty began showing a special fondness towards me. However, I didn’t suggest him for his sake, but for Mela’s sake. I have no role in his growth as an actor. I believe a person’s rise and fall depend entirely on their own talent. If one lacks the ability to act, no amount of recommendation will make them an actor.”
