Mammootty’s portrayal of Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam was praised by critics as one of the most memorable performances in recent Indian cinema…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty has added another golden chapter to his extraordinary career by winning the National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance as Kodumon Potti in the critically acclaimed film Bramayugam.
The honour marks Mammootty’s fourth National Award for Best Actor, placing him alongside Amitabh Bachchan as the only actors in Indian cinema history to have achieved the feat four times.
The award also ends a 28-year wait for the 74-year-old actor, whose previous National Award for Best Actor came in 1998. The latest recognition has been widely celebrated as a fitting tribute to an artist who has continued to challenge himself with bold and unconventional roles across generations.
Mammootty’s portrayal of Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam was praised by critics as one of the most memorable performances in recent Indian cinema. His intense and haunting presence became the backbone of the black-and-white period horror drama, elevating the film into one of Malayalam cinema’s most acclaimed works in recent years.
Released on February 15, 2024, Bramayugam stood apart for its unique visual style, atmospheric storytelling and exceptional performances. The film received widespread appreciation for its cinematography, music and production design, while also becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year.
The National Award adds another prestigious recognition to the film’s success. Mammootty had earlier won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the same role, marking his seventh State Best Actor honour.
The actor’s journey to this historic achievement has been defined by persistence and reinvention. With a career spanning more than five decades and over 400 films, Mammootty has established himself as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers.
Although he made his screen debut in 1971, he received his first credited role only in 1980. Over the years, he built a reputation for taking on diverse characters and delivering performances that consistently challenged audience expectations.
By the late 1980s, Mammootty had become one of the biggest names in Malayalam cinema, a position he has maintained through changing eras and evolving filmmaking styles.
The international recognition of Bramayugam further strengthened its impact. The film was selected for a special screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in February this year as part of the Where the Forest Meets the Sea series. It became the first Mammootty-starrer to be screened at the prestigious institution, bringing his work to a wider global audience.
The National Award comes during an already remarkable year for the veteran actor. Earlier this year, Mammootty was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his immense contribution to cinema.
More than just another award, the National Film Award represents recognition of Mammootty’s enduring legacy — an actor who has refused to be limited by age, image or convention.
At 74, he continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers with his commitment to excellence, proving that true artistry only grows stronger with time. His latest achievement reaffirms his place among the greatest performers in Indian cinema, built through decades of discipline, versatility and an unwavering passion for storytelling.
Awards Celebration on ‘Om’ Sets
The sets of upcoming Tamil film Om turned into a celebration of cinematic excellence as National Award winners Mammootty, Dhanush, director Rajkumar Periasamy and editor Kalaivanan came together to mark their achievements.
The four acclaimed artists celebrated their National Award victories by cutting a cake together during the shooting of Om on Sunday, creating a special moment that brought together some of the brightest talents in South Indian cinema.
Sharing a picture of the celebration on his X timeline, Mammootty wrote, “A small celebration of our National Award wins with @dhanushkraja, @Rajkumar_KP and R. Kalaivanan on the sets of #OM. Grateful for all the love and wishes.”
Mammootty won the Best Actor award for his unforgettable performance as Kodumon Potti in the Malayalam horror thriller Bramayugam. The honour marked his fourth National Award for Best Actor and placed him alongside Amitabh Bachchan as one of the only actors to achieve the milestone four times.
Dhanush was another major winner at the 72nd National Film Awards, securing two honours — one for his direction of Raayan, which was named Best Tamil Feature Film, and another Special Mention for his performance in Captain Miller.
Meanwhile, Rajkumar Periasamy won the Best Director award for his critically acclaimed Tamil film Amaran, based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan. The film also earned the Best Editing award for Kalaivanan.
The celebration held a special significance as the Om team itself brought together multiple award-winning talents. Mammootty plays a key character named Karthikeyan in the film, which is currently under production.
Rajkumar Periasamy had earlier revealed that around 60 to 65 per cent of the filming had been completed, describing the project as a special journey for everyone involved.
“‘Om’ will be a special journey for everybody associated with it. We are continuing to shoot and the film is shaping up well,” the director had said.
The film is scheduled to release on October 16. Its title carries the tagline “Chapter 1”, hinting at a possible sequel, though Periasamy has clarified that the first instalment will be a complete story on its own.
The teaser of Om suggested that the film revolves around workers involved in illegal red sandalwood cutting, with Dhanush portraying a woodcutter who fights to protect fellow labourers caught in a police operation.
Featuring Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela in key roles, the film has music by Sai Abhyankkar, cinematography by Ezhil Arasu and editing by Kalaivanan R.
The National Award celebration on the sets of Om highlighted a rare gathering of celebrated artists whose achievements continue to shape the future of Indian cinema.
