Mammootty at 75: The megastar who keeps reinventing himself

Mammootty, the renowned Indian actor who turns 75 today, is celebrated in Chennai as one of cinema’s most enduring stars. His birthday was marked by the unveiling of the title and first-look poster of his upcoming film, 'Mela', directed by Nithish Sahadev. Portrayed in a striking new look, Mammootty wears a black shirt and black mundu in the film, which is the ninth production by the actor's Kampany venture.

Born as Mohammed Kutty on September 7, 1951, Mammootty has had a prolific career spanning more than five decades and over 400 films. His finest performances often come when he steps outside of conventional superstar roles. Notable films include 'Yavanika', 'Thaniyavarthanam', 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha', 'Mathilukal', 'Vidheyan', 'Ponthan Mada', and 'Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar', which have showcased his extraordinary range.

In recent years, Mammootty has continued to take risks with movies like 'Peranbu', 'Puzhu', 'Rorschach', 'Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam', 'Kaathal – The Core', and 'Bramayugam'.

For his role in 'Bramayugam', Mammootty won his fourth National Film Award, highlighting the remarkable trajectory of his career. At 75, he remains undeterred in his pursuit of challenging roles. Apart from 'Mela', he is set to star in the Tamil film 'OM', directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and featuring Dhanush. Despite his age, Mammootty's passion for taking on diverse roles remains strong.

His 75th birthday is not merely a milestone, but another chapter in a career characterized by reinvention, risk-taking, and a lasting bond with audiences.