MEGA STAR MAMMOOTTY

Mammootty's 'Gangster'

2011-12-24T22:28:00.001+05:30

Though director Aashiq Abu is busy getting ready to start his new '22 Female Kottayam, with Reema Kallingal as the heroine, his next Mammootty project 'Gangster' is in the final phase of writing. Ahamed Siddhique, the actor who become popular as the character Mirash in 'Salt N Pepper' is now giving final touches to the scripts of 'The gangster'. Written jointly by Parthan Mohan, Ahamed says that he is trying to go for an original, wild and exciting script. And as the movie which was originally scheduled to start by February got shifted, he has got some more time to improvise the scenes.

Mammooty will appear as a gangster named Akbar Ali Khan in this movie which will also feature Rohini Attangadi, Parthiban, Baburaj & Suraj Venjaramoodu in the important roles. Produced in the banner of Ahead Cinema Company, this action thriller will be shot at Kasarkode and Mangalore. As per the current plans, Aashiq Abu will kick start the shoot for 'Gangster ' by the month of May.

First Look: Mammootty's Kobra

2011-12-21T00:59:00.001+05:30

Malayalam actors Mammootty and Lal play non-identical twins in Cobra. The shooting is currently on in Chalakudy, a small town in Kerela.

Lal has also scripted the film and is directing Mammootty for the first time. Padmapriya and Kaniha are the heroines.

Cobra is a comedy of siblings, who are very close to each other. The title of the film is a short form, in Malayalam, for Kuala Lumpur Brothers and that was where they were born.

Now, they want to associate with everything that begins with 'Ko', be it Coimbatore, Kozhikode or Kottayam!

Lalu Alex, Maniyanpillai Raju, Salim Kumar and Suresh Krishna also star in the film. The shooting will be completed in two schedules in Kochi and Bangkok.

Cobra is being produced by Anto Joseph, with camerawork by Venu and Alex Paul as music director.

Mammootty takes a break to prepare for son's marriage

2011-12-15T01:41:00.000+05:30

Malayalam superstar Mammootty is very busy -- but not with movies. He has taken a break from acting to make preparations for the marriage of his actor son Dulquar Salmaan with A. Sufia, an architect.

"Yes, I am busy with the wedding and we are all leaving for Chennai Friday. The marriage is in Chennai on the 22nd of this month," Mammootty told IANS.

He added: "Yes, I have taken a break from my job and there will be a reception here on the 26th December and I will rejoin my work on the new year," said Mammootty known for keeping his family life away from prying eyes of media.

After giving a thought, Salmaan followed his father's footsteps and he has just finished the shoot of his first film "Second Show".

It will not be the usual 'filmy wedding'.

Sufia is the daughter of Syed Nizamuddin, who hails from north India, but is settled in Chennai.

The release of Mammootty's latest film "Venice le Vyappari" got delayed, but it is not expected to hit the theatres on the day of his son's wedding.

Mammootty fans association to pray

2011-12-03T01:39:00.000+05:30

In the contemporary season of adopting different tactics to show their protest, the Mammootty fans association of the state has decided to hold Mass Prayer Sessions to protest against the various governments who are not paying heed to the demands for the new Mullaperiyar Dam.

In these prayer sessions, the fans will pray for the positive decisions in favour of Kerala and for igniting more realistic thoughts in the minds of political leaders of Tamil Nadu.

As a part of the plans, 'Shayana Pradhakshinam' was organised in Thaliyil Kshetram in the capital city which was attended by the district representatives of the fans associations. Prayer sessions were also organised at Thanur Mosque while the representatives in the Kottayam district will organise similar sessions in many churches in Kottayam tomorrow.

The state committe of the association has asked all the primary members of the asaociation to take part in prayer sessions, before the meeting between the two state Chief Ministers take place shortly. Though the fans association are in full spirits, the megastar hasn't yet jumped into the fray airing his opinions about the Dam issue.

Resul Pookutty to unite Mammootty and Big B

2011-12-03T01:38:00.000+05:30

One of the best known technicians of Indian cinema, Resul Pookutty, had always expressed his interest in directing films. In fact he had one project going five years ago which got shelved due to financial reasons. Resul was then planning to make a movie out of the famous novel by Anand- ' Govardhan's Travels' with Mammootty as the hero. It was then planned in three languages, but the last minute crisis led the master technician to concentrate back on his sound engineering business.

But now Resul is taking more active steps to realise his dream. This time he will be bringing in Megastar Mammootty and none other than 'Big B'- Amitabh Batchchan for the first time together for his movie. The flick will tell the emotional story about a father -son relationship and will use the best of the technicians from Bollywood. As there are many more international projects coming his way, Resul will start working on his debut directorial venture only after completing his current assignments.

Kaniha to be Mammootty's heroine again

2011-11-27T01:36:00.000+05:30

Lal directed Mammootty film 'Cobra' has remained in the news for several reasons, and one of them has been the film's heroines.

At first it was reported that Padmapriya has been cast opposite Lal and that Lekshmi Rai would be Mammootty's pair in the film.

Later Lekshmi Rai was out of the picture, and Sruthi Ramakrishnan, was rumoured to have been roped in instead of Lekshmi.

And now, Lekshmi Rai is back in the film, and would be Lal's heroine. Sruthi Ramakrishnan is not a part of the project, and Kaniha would be seen opposite Mammootty in the film.

Kaniha and Mammootty were seen together earlier in films like 'Pazhassi Raja' and 'Drona 2010'.

Mammookka, back with student scholarships

2011-11-10T01:35:00.000+05:30

Megastar Mammootty is one actor who is ever busy organising charity activities for the people who really wants a support. His 'Care and Share foundation' has in the past organised many such initiatives, helping a lot in distress. Last day, the megastar was seen at Karunyashramam at Thoppe near Kakkanad, offering a scholarship to the nursing student Mamtha, who lives in the poor home. This was the state wide inauguration of Care and Share's 'Vidhyamritham' project aiming to help the students from poorer backgrounds with merit scholarships so that they can achieve heights in academics.

'Vidharymritham' project is devised to help the students who pass plus two with high marks enabling themselves to join the professional courses in merit seats. Every student who has already applied for the scholarship has been considered for the year's economic support. The scholarship amount for others will be delivered in their houses in a short while.

In a very unofficial function that followed, Mammootty himself described the details about the project. He also spent quite some time with the inmates of the 'Karunyasramam'. Care and Share vice chairman Geevarghese Yohannan, Fr. Thomas Kurien marottipuzha, Robert kuriakkose, George Sebastian, and M G M.

'Cobra' starts at Chalakkudy

2011-11-10T01:33:00.000+05:30

Mammootty's new film 'Cobra' that would be directed by Lal has commenced its shoot at Chalakkudy.

Though the shoot has started yesterday, Mammootty would be joining the sets of 'Cobra' only after completing 'The King and the Commissioner'.

Lal would also be seen in a parallel role along with Mammootty in the film. Maniyanpillai Raju, Lalu Alex, Salim Kumar and Kunchan would offer support.

Padmapriya and Sruthi Ramakrishnan would be the heroines.

Lal hopes to regain his box office success record that was tarnished by his last film 'Tournament', with 'Cobra',

Padmapriya in 'kobra'

2011-11-03T01:23:00.000+05:30

After a few years from their last hit together, Padmapriya will one again unite with Mammootty for a the new movie.

The latest reports suggests that Padmapriya will play the female lead together with Lekshmy Rai for the new movie 'Kobara' which will have Lal and Mammootty doing the heroes. Directed and produced by Lal, 'Kobra will have Mammootty as Raja while Lal will appear as kari and the movie will tell the intense bonding between there two. A comedy action thriller in the scripts of Lal, 'Kobara' will be jointly produced by Playhouse and Lal movies.

Inspire award for Mammootty and Navya

2011-11-03T01:22:00.000+05:30

Mammootty was named the bets actor in the second Inspire Award announced yesterday. While his 'Pranchiyettan and the Saint' was selected as the best picture of 2010, Navya Nairbagged the award for the best actress for he performance in the movie 'Sadgamaya' and 'Yugapurushan'.While Harikumar was selected as the best director for 'Sadgamaya', Late Mohan Raghavan was named the best debutante director for his 'T D Dasan, Std VI B.The other awards announced are listed below

Best Script writer: Ranjith (Prachiyettan And The Saint),Second Best Actor: Biju Menon (Meriykkundoru Kunjaadu),Second Best Actress: Shwetha Menon (TD Dasan STD 6 B),Best Comedian: Suraj Venjarummoodu (Various Films),Popular Director: Lal Jose,Popular Film: Elsamma Enna Aankutty,Film with Social Awareness: Soofi Paranja Kadha,Best Lyricist: Rafeeq Ahammed,Best Musician: Berny- Ignatious (Meriykkundoru Kunjaadu),Best Male Singer: Afsal (Kaaryasthan),Best Female Singer: Manjari (Various Films),Best Cinematographer: Pradeep Nair (Cocktail),Best Editor: Mahesh Narayan (Aatmakadha),Special Jury Award: Thalaivasal Vijay,Best Make Up man: Pattanam Rasheed (Kuttysrank),Best Costume Designer: Saji Kunnamkulam (Elsamma Enna Aankutty),Best Art Director: K Krishnankutty (Yugapurushan),Production Controller: Shaji Pattikkara,Best Film Journalist: M S Das Maattumantha,Best Film based TV Programme: Movie Bazar (Amrita TV) Nivin Pauly and Akhila Sasidharan got award for Best debutante artists

The awards will be given away in a colourful function that will be held at Kaloor stadium on the 5th of November.

The King at Delhi

2011-11-03T01:18:00.000+05:30

The shoot for the new movie 'The king and the Commissioner' has restarted at Delhi.Featuring Mammootty and Sureshgopi in the title roles, the movie will complete most of the sequences except the climax at Delhi. This second schedule of shoots will go on till the 10th of November, after which director Shaji kailas will plan the climax.Produced by Anto Joseph in the banner of Emperor cinema, 'The king and the commissioner' is all set to become the final big release of the year , greeting the viewers this Christmas.

Megastar MammootT who is currently shooting for the movie at the capital city found time to pay a visit to the Union Defence minister A K Antony.The meeting between the two most eminent of the malayalees went on for twenty minutes. Mammootty also invited the minister for his son's marriage that is scheduled for the last week of December.

Mammootty's charity to sponsor 250 more heart patients

2011-09-29T01:13:00.000+05:30

Mammootty is not only a superb actor, he is also into charitable activities and the latest is that he will sponsor another 250 heart patients by joining hands with the NIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Speaking to IANS, the superstar said that he will visit the hospital on Thursday to spend some time with those who underwent heart surgeries.

"Along with NIMS Hospital two years back we had announced that 100 poor patients would be given totally free treatment, including by-pass surgeries. We did that and now we have decided to carry forward the scheme for another 250 more poor patients," said Mammootty.

The veteran superstar, who turned 58 this month, does charity work through his Fans Association and apart from sponsoring heart surgeries, he is also involved in providing free cataract surgeries.

Faizal Khan, managing director of NIMS Hospital, said that they are happy that Mammootty has decided to sponsor another 250 patients.

"The patients are identified by his Fans Association through medical camps. The financial position of the selected patients are thoroughly examined by them and the poorest of the poor people are selected. Once they get admitted to our hospital, then we take over till the time the patient leaves the hospital by providing free treatment," said Khan.

Mammootty in 'Kannum Kannum'

2011-09-21T00:43:00.000+05:30

The practice of using the remix of a evergreen songs has already become a habit with the new film makers. And interestingly many new films are now remembered more for the remixed songs than the film itself. The same is the case of films like 'Thejabhai and family' and few others whose biggest highlight were its remixed songs.

Continuing with the tradition is the new Mammootty film 'Venicile Vyapari' which will feature the remixed version of the evergreen song 'Kannum Kannum'. The new song will have the megastar and Poonam Bajwa lypsyncing the song which in the original 'Angadi' was shot on Jayan and Seema.

'Kannum Kannuum' is remixed by young music director Bijipal for this 'Venicile Vayapaari', which tells a plot centred around the eighties. Mammootty and his costars appear in the dress codes and hairdo of the decade in this movie which is directed by Shafi in the scripts of James Albert.

Mammootty in Pothys ad

2011-09-17T12:41:00.000+05:30

As plans are on to film a movie on the life and times of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the erstwhile King of Travancore, with Mammotty donning the historic character, the Megastar has already appeared in a advertisement with similar dress codes and backdrops of the famed Raja. Mammootty is in the lead of the ads for the Pothys textiles which is getting ready to start its first outlet in the capital city of kerala. The advertisement in the scripts of 'Urumi' fame Shankar Ramakrishnan is directed by Jetty Jerry who had earlier directed Tamil films like Ullasam.

It is learned that as the outlet is in Thiruvananthapuram. with the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple now becoming the cynosure of all eyes, the directors of Pothy's were keen to create an ad with a Travancore Raja in the frames. Malayalam star Jagathi Sreekumar and 'Dev D' fame Mahie Gille also share the screen time with Mammooty in this bug budget ad.

Mammootty vows to avoid liquor in films

2011-09-15T00:46:00.000+05:30

Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary that asks people to avoid liquor in Kerala, which has recorded the highest alcohol consumption in the country. He also said he would do his best to avoid liquor and not act in film sequences featuring alcohol.

Mammotty's 40-second film with a message - Say No to Liquor and Say No to Drugs - was unveiled Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

"I always try to avoid such scenes but at times it becomes imperative to do it because the situation demands it. I assure everyone that from now on I will do my best to avoid such scenes which depict liquor or liquor imposed scenes," said Mammootty, who has been the numero one actor of the Malayalam film industry for two decades, at the event.

Pointing to director Priyadarshan, who was present at the event, Mammootty said: "You have to ask people like him (Priyadarshan) because they ask us to do this and that. But let me tell you, I will do my best to do away with such scenes."

Chandy said that people should make an edeavour to rid Kerala of the tag of being the top liquor consuming state.

"Not long ago, Kerala was known for the huge strides it had made in literacy and its health status. But of late, it has taken a back seat and we are now known as the top liquor consuming state. This has to change and we all hope that the promotional material like this (Mammootty's documentary) will do us a world of good," the chief minister said.

Excise Minister K. Babu said that the video will be shown in theatres and will be aired on television, besides being screened in educational institutions.

"The young minds have to be taught the evils of liquor and drugs - our target group is schoolchildren," said Babu.

According to a report, liquor sales touched an all time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore 2010-11 from Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10.

The government earned Rs.5,239 crore from liquor sales during the last fiscal year, while it was Rs.4,260 crore in 2009-10.

Mammootty is like a brother: Blessy

2011-09-09T01:10:00.000+05:30

Blessy is one of the most bankable directors and scriptwriters in Malayalam today. His recent releasePranayam is a runaway hit. In his recent interview, the director-scriptwriter said that he never thought of becoming a scriptwriter at the initial stage of his career and it was megastar Mammootty who made it possible for him to be a scriptwriter.

"When I was doing my first film Kazcha, I had approached different people for scriptwriting. It was Mammootty who told me to write it the same way I had narrated the story to him. If it was not for him, I would probably not have known the taste of scriptwriting. We don’t just discuss films that I do with him. We talk about all my movies, be it Kazhcha,Thanmathra, Brahmaram or Pranayam. He is like a brother," he said.

It's 'just another day' for birthday boy Mammootty

2011-09-07T21:30:00.000+05:30

The award-winning thespian, who has acted in more than 350 films, says age is just a number for him

Malayalam matinee idol Mammootty turns 60 today, but he doesn't consider it a milestone.

"My birthday is over for me because we are not going to celebrate it. It's just another day for me. No plans or anything," Mammootty told tabloid! over the phone.

The award-winning thespian, who has acted in more than 350 films, said that age is just a number for him. "Yes, nothing more than that," he said.

Idolised by thousands of cinema buffs in Kerala, the Ore Kadal actor's career has spanned over three decades and he is still one of the busiest actors in South India. His 2011 drama Pranchiettan And The Saint won several awards and was also a money-spinner.

Mammootty’s car hit by bus

2011-09-02T22:30:00.000+05:30

A private bus operating on Aroor-Ernakulam route hit Malayalam megastar Mammootty’s car from behind at Aroor temple junction signal on Tuesday at 5.30 p.m.

The bus crashed into the rear end of the car which had stopped at the traffic signal at Aroor temple junction. Mammootty, sitting inside the car, was on his way back to his home in Ernakulam from the sets of director Shafi’s Vennicile Vyapari in Allapuzha.

The crash caused a major dent in the car, though no one was injured. The Aroor police immediately came to Mammootty’s rescue and seized the bus. However, Mammootty told the police that he did not want any case registered against the bus driver as he apologized to the star, saying that the accident occurred due to his rash driving. Mammootty later left for Kochi.

Shikari audio to be released soon

2011-09-02T00:55:00.000+05:30

The audio of Mammootty’s Kannada-Malayalam bilingualShikaridirected by National award winning director Abhay Simha will be out in a few days. This film, produced by K. Manju, is likely to be released some time in September. Director Abhay Simha said that the tunes composed by music director Hari Krishna are awesome.

”Audio of our film is ready for release… just sorting out dates… hopefully audio will be released within next two weeks… saw the final colour corrected song version… wow! It’s looking amazing,” he tweeted.

“Harikrishna has done a great job with the music. It is easily one of his finest works. Madan-Harini have done a great job choreographing it. And watching Mammootty sir in songs is like a dream! Can’t wait to share it with you friends…" is Abhay Simha’s latest note on his Facebook page.
Incidentally, Shikari has a subject of stirring a silent revolution, as the hero takes a lead in awakening public consciousness. At a time when Anna Hazare has got a big victory in his crusade against corruption, Abhay feels that the film’s release would be timely.

Mammootty turns producer

2011-08-28T01:01:00.000+05:30

Mollywood star Mammootty will now wear the hat of a producer for the first time. The veteran actor will produce Lal's next directorial venture, Cobra.

Mammootty who owns a production house - Playhouse - have been active as a distributor. His compnay has distributed movies like Ritu, Kaana Kanmani, Chattambinadu and Neelathamara. However, this will be the first time he dons the role of a producer for his own movie.

Lal who is directing the megastar for the first time is another highlight of the movie. Along with Mammooty Lal also plays an important role in Cobra. "I have acted along with Mammootty in a few movies. I have even produced his movies. But, this is the first time I am directing him," says the actor.

Lal has acted along with Mammootty in hits like Thommanum Makkalum and Best Actor. They hope to create the same magic in their next endeavour.

Cobra revolves around the life of two co-brothers who are known as Cobra. "Cobra is a short form used for co-brothers," says Lal. He assures that the movie will be a thorough entertainer for all age groups, a trait of most of his movies. Mamta Mohandas and Lakshmi Rai have been roped in to play the lead heroines. Music is by Alex Paul.

Shooting for Cobra will begin on November 1. It is expected to hit the screens in February 2012.

Deepan and Mammootty to come together for 'Newsmaker'

2011-08-27T01:00:00.000+05:30

Mammootty would be doing a film titled 'Newsmaker', to be directed by Deepan. Deepan had delivered one of the biggest hits of last year 'Puthiya Mukham'.

'Newsmaker' would be produced by George, Mammootty's personal assistant. The film would be produced under the banner of Cincil Celluloid.

Deepan would also be directing Prithviraj in the film 'Hero'. 'Newsmaker' would commence only after 'Hero's is complete, and would be Mammootty's Onam release in 2012.

Amal Neerad's 'Arivaal Chuttika Nakshatram' to start soon NR

2011-08-26T01:03:00.000+05:30

The shoot of Amal Neerad's new film 'Arivaal Chuttika Nakshatram is expected to start by November.

The title of the film has given rise to much speculation that the film is a political thriller. However, insiders claim that the film does not deal with politics at all.

The film that is being scripted by Shankar Ramakrishnan is more of a period drama that is set in the period post-independence but before the birth of Kerala state.

The politics that prevailed the scene then would become part of the film as well. Nothing more, nothing less.

The film has Mammootty and Prithviraj in the lead roles, and would be produced by August Cinema.

Mammookka's son to debut

2011-08-11T01:31:00.000+05:30

As the Megastar is on with his plans of his son's marriage Dulkar Salman, the young man is also planning to officially start his career as a movie actor in a short while. The new project titled 'Second Show' to be directed by Sreenath Rajendran, an associate to Jayaraj, will have Dulkar Salman debuting as the hero. Expected to be on sets in a week at Kozhikkod, the movie will have him as an underworld don. Salman had been to the rehearsal camp of the movie for the last one month and it is reported that the scripts written by debutante Vini Vishwalal for the movie is top class.

The makers behind 'Second Show' are close friends of Dulkar Salman including the cinematographer Pappu, who had been an assistant to Rajeev Ravi. The Mumbai based A.O.P.L. will produce this movie which will also feature debutante Avanthika as the heroine. Baburaj and Salimkumar are also in the cast of the flick which will have music by Avial band.

Earlier it was reported that Dulkar Salman will debut into filmdom through the film directed by Linguswamy. But now, Mammooty and his wife Sulfath seems to be much impressed by the scripts of the film that they have given the green signal for heir son to go for 'Secoind Show'.

Meanwhile, Dulkar Salman is also expected to get married by the 22nd of this December at Chennai.

Asin to be Mammookka's heroine

2011-07-23T18:48:00.002+05:30

After a decade from his first movie 'Narendran makan Jayakanthan Vaka', the star heroine Asin will be once again speaking Malayalam onscreen. The actress who has risen to great heights in Indian cinema will make a comeback to Mollywood playing the lead role opposite Mammootty. According to the reports, Asin is said to have given green signal to be in the new flick directed by Shyamaprasad with Mammootty.

Asin, who had a Bollywood release recently in Salman Khan's "Ready", have two more big projects in Bollywood including 'Two cities' with Shah Rukh and' Houseful 2' with Akshaykumar.

IT raids offices, homes of Mammootty and Mohanlal

2011-07-23T18:46:00.002+05:30

Income tax sleuths have raided the houses, offices and hotels of Malayalam film stars Mammootty and Mohanlal. Both the Kerala-based actors have been asked to appear before tax officials in person here.

The searches started at 6.30am on Friday morning with 80 officials simultaneously verifying records at their homes in Kochi and numerous offices in Chennai, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram.

IT sleuths cited a huge gap in the IT returns and the income the superstars make in a year. Both have the same chartered accountant who has his head office in Thiruvananthapuram. The initial statements from both the actors have been taken.

The taxmen have reportedly seized several documents. Official sources report that the team has also found an elephant tusk from Mohanlal's Kochi residence.

Residence of Mohanlal's close aid Antony Perumbavoor is also being raided, said the official.

Mammootty is expected to appear before IT officials in the evening as he was in Chennai when the raids began, while Mohanlal may not arrive Friday as he is shooting in the coastal town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.
IT officials reached Rameswaram and took a statement from Mohanlal.

The extensive raids, it now appears, were kept secret by the IT department and also a well planned one as officials also closed in on the business associates of the two superstars.

The officials reached the home of Mohanlal in the Kerala capital where his aged mother resides.

For Mammootty, the raid came a day after his son's engagement in Chennai. Sources close to him say he has left for Kochi.

Mohanlal has interests in film production, distribution, IT education and also the hospitality industry. Besides, he is an active player in the real estate sector along with his close friends.

Mammootty's interests also include a film production house and he is the patron of a new boutique hospital in Bangalore.

Those questioned include Mohanlal and Mammootty's main business partners, producer Antony Perumbavoor and Anto Joseph respectively.

One bedroom of Mohanlal at his Kochi residence is yet to be opened because a bio-metric gadget makes entry possible only with the fingerprints of close family members.

Last week Kozhikode businessman K.A. Rauf, without naming anyone, said a Malayalam superstar and a business house in the state were engaged in a huge real estate deal in Maharashtra.

The IT officials locked the homes from inside and no one was allowed to come in or go out as they prepared their report based on the superstars' IT returns.