Happy Birthday Mammootty
On his 73rd birthday, Mammootty presents the first poster of Dominic and The Ladies’ Purse.
The 73-year-old Malayalam actor Mammootty revealed the title of his upcoming movie today, September 7. The movie, titled Dominic and The Ladies’ handbag, may feature the actor as a detective.
On his 73rd birthday, Malayalam film actor Mammootty revealed the first poster for his next movie, which will be called Dominic and The Ladies’ Purse. Gautham Menon, a Tamil filmmaker, makes his Malayalam film business debut with this picture.
“Presenting the First Look Poster of Dominic and The Ladies’ Purse, Directed by @menongautham & Produced by @MKampanyOffl (sic),” The poster was captioned by Mammootty. The actor is wearing a bathrobe in it. With a woman’s black pocketbook and some documents scattered around the floor, a lot appears to be going on in the poster. Mammootty looks to be stepping out of the poster, and a cat seems to be following him.
Mammootty’s Works
A James Bond poster and a pinboard with a few pictures and sticky notes attached are located on the wall behind Mammootty. Although Mammootty’s character and the film’s plot are still under wraps, it appears that the actor will be playing a detective in Dominic and The Ladies’ purse.
The film, which is Mammootty’s sixth venture under his production company, Mammootty Kampany, was written by Sooraj R and Neeraj R. The movie, which was mostly filmed in Munnar and Kochi, is almost finished. In July of this year, it was put on floors. The music is composed by Darbuka Siva, and the cinematography is under the direction of Vishnu Dev.
In addition to Mammootty, the movie also stars Gokul Suresh, Lena, and actor Viji Venkatesh from Pachuvum Adbhutavilakam in significant parts. Lena and Ramesh Pisharati are said to have given the movie its first round of applause.
Dominic and The Ladies’ Purse’s release date is not yet known.
About Mammootty
Now regarded as the greatest of all time, Mammootty has a long list of amazing films to his credit, several accolades, and innumerable outstanding performances. But what drew the people who gave him his earliest acting roles to take a chance on him, before all the glamour and before he became the superstar he is today? What did they see in him, considering that in his early acting career he was not a particularly skilled actor? Given that Mammootty, who turns 73 on Saturday (September 7) received his first significant role in KG George’s Mela (1980), widely recognised as one of the best directors in Malayalam cinema history, this topic becomes even more intriguing—and possibly self-explanatory.
Mammootty’s Best Films
Similar to George’s first feature film Swapnadanam (1976), Mela was highly original, particularly in terms of its approach, concept, and plot. The story of Mela revolves around Govindan Kutty (Raghu), a dwarf circus clown who works in an ableist society where people with disabilities must demonstrate extraordinary talent or inspiration in order to gain respect and admiration. A young, unknown actor plays Vijayan (Mammootty), a bike jumper in the same circus where Govindan works.
In contrast to his uncredited roles in his first two films, Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971) and Kaalachakram (1973), and his first credited role in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980), which featured little screen time and substance, Mammootty’s character in Mela was crucial to the plot and provided him with plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his skills. Even if his body language and line delivery were rigid and austere in comparison to his co-stars’ more organic performances, it was nevertheless a significant improvement from his lacklustre performance in Vilkkanundu Swapnangal. George, who sadly died on September 24, 2023, recognised a versatile performer in Mammootty who could strut and exude style in addition to a physical charm that would have no trouble drawing in large crowds.
I went to see George Sir while the construction was on in Ernakulam for Mela. I didn’t initially receive a favourable answer from him. He later requested me to stay on and pick up tips before my scenes were set. It was my role to portray a circus performer. Did I know how to ride a horse? he questioned. At that point, I had never ever laid eyes on a horse, and I was afraid I might miss my opportunity. Then he enquired as to my ability to operate a motorcycle. Although I wasn’t great at it, and knew only a little, since I was willing to sacrifice myself to be an actor, I said ‘yes,’ and that’s how I got the role,”
The male characters in George’s films were much more nuanced and multi-layered than those in his later films, where Mammootty was cast in more traditional roles that emphasised his physical attributes and traits to enhance characters that fit the stereotype of the macho Mallu man: short-tempered, reckless, noisy, and violently inclined. Despite playing many police roles over his career, Mammootty’s portrayal of Jacob Eeraly in Yavanika (1982) stood apart from his other parts.
What others have to say about Mammootty
Not only was Eeraly not your average Mallu officer; he also went against the traditional male paradigm that was prevalent in Mammootty’s roles following Mela. In contrast to stereotypes of police officers, Eeraly was quiet and non-aggressive; he avoided physical altercations and didn’t use the third degree to coerce information. Rather, he was a more genuine character; he was cunning, crafty, and manipulative, and he used these qualities to discover the truth. With the exception of his wife and child, his tone and body language expressed a combination of contempt and sympathy for everyone not wearing a uniform.
George is skilled in shaping performers to fit his roles. Actor Nedumudi Venu said in 8½ Intercuts, “You can see that from his first movie itself.” When comparing Mammootty’s portrayal of Eeraly to his work with other filmmakers, it was evident how much better George knew the talents and limitations of the actors than the performers themselves. All I want is an actor.
I don’t pick actors based on their talents; I pick actors based on their quirks. I cast them if those quirks work for my characters. This method is clear from the very beginning of my first film,” George said in the documentary. Unfortunately, George had to compromise on this degree of conviction and clarity later in his career—and that too for Mammootty—which ultimately led to the director’s sudden exit from the film industry.
Shubhangi Gupta is a distinguished content writer and the visionary founder of The Unpleasant – Acha Nahi Sabse Sacha. With a Master’s degree in Commerce from University of Lucknow, Shubhangi has seamlessly blended her academic background with her passion for reading and writing, embarking on a successful career as a content writer since 2019.
