Mammootty seeks end to Thilakan controversy

Breaking his silence on the controversy in the Malayalam film industry surrounding veteran actor Thilakan, actor Mammootty has said the entire episode was pointless and uncalled for. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) did not want the controversy to go on.

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Will not comment on Thilakan: Mammootty

Veteran superstar Mammootty has declined to comment on the controversy triggered by the outburst of thespian Thilakan.

Mammootty, talking to IANS over phone, said: ‘I will not say anything. What is there to be said?’ He was speaking from the sets of his latest film ‘Pokiriraja’.

Actor Thilakan is currently facing the heat from various film bodies, including the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), for his utterances against film organisations in the state.

Discussing his films, including his latest release ‘Dhrona’, which has not done as expected, the superstar said: ‘See, it was an excellent subject, but somehow it has not come out well. Mind you, this is the way films are. You win some, you lose some. When there is a setback you go back to the basics, and that is precisely what I do, and fine-tune myself for the next film.’

Speaking about his next project, Mammootty said it would be the directorial debut of veteran character and comedy artiste Jagdeesh.

‘I am told that the name of the film is going to be ‘Amar Akbar Antony’, but don’t mistake it for the yesteryears’ Hindi film. It is a love story and I play the role of a technocrat. I heard the story and am yet to see the script,’ added Mammootty.

The year 2009, was very good for Mammootty with eight releases and a variety of roles. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Kerala University.

However, 2010 appears to have got off on a wrong note with ‘Dhrona’ bombing at the box office and the Thilakan controversy adding to troubles. At the moment, the AMMA and the other film bodies are strongly behind Mammootty.

Mammootty is a three-time national award winner and into his third decade in the industry.

Veteran Malayalam actor Thilakan had criticised film organisations for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film ‘Christian Brothers’.

Prabhu in Mammootty’s Pramani!

Tamil actor Prabhu was last week in Kochi doing a cameo in Mammootty’s B Unnikrishnan directed Pramani.

The film has Sneha has the heroine with Fazil’s son Fahad playing an important role.

Says Prabhu: “Yes I’m doing a cameo role in Pramani, as it gave me an opportunity to do a film with Mammootty. I think Mammooka is one of the finest actors in the country and it’s an honour to do a film with him. He is also a great fan of Appa (the legendary Sivaji Ganeshan).”

Prabhu says he had great time shooting for the film in the backwaters of Kerala. On one of the days Mammootty took him home and he had one of the “finest Kerala Sappad (feast)”. Pramani is scheduled to release on March 19.

Vidya Balan’s Malayalam debut

Vidya Balan, who is currently being appreciated greatly for her performance in ‘Ishqiya’, will be seen in a Malayalam film soon.

She will be debuting in Malayalam with the film, ‘Mathilukalkkappuram’, opposite Mammootty. It will be directed by Prasad and will continue with Basheer’s story, i.e., it will take off from where ‘Adoor’ finished.

Ravi K Chandran will be the cameraman while the sound direction will be done by Resul Pookutty. Mammootty’s production company, ‘Playhouse’, will produce the film.

Cochin Haneefa loved to make us laugh

The guffaw shook his whole frame as the talk took us to interesting situations that a Muslim artiste faces during the month of fasting. “Acting in feast scenes is the biggest challenge during fast days. You roll a huge ball of boiled rice mixed with a range of curries and bring it close to your open mouth before the director cuts that scene. The next one is a close-up of facial expressions reflecting the whole gamut of taste. They make you do that again and again as you chew and relish an imaginary menu. And burping on an empty stomach is the most difficult scene to act…” the last words were barely audible as they were mercilessly engulfed in another wave of laughter that filled the room and the minds of his friends who sat listening like kids around a storyteller.

“At times, there are numerous retakes. And each time you fill your hands with rice, it is a tussle between mind and body. I don’t think anyone other than Muslim actors faces this interesting dilemma. Isn’t that so?’’ he asked Mammootty, as he fought another bout of laughter. “True, very true,” said Mammootty to those of us who had gone to his room to invite the star to inaugurate an Express event.
It all began when Mammootty said he wanted to be excused for five minutes during the inaugural to break his fast. Haneefa took this simple everyday situation to knit some memorable moments for us.

“Then there are situations where you don the role of a Christian farmer or a Hindu vendor. At Magrib, you proceed to break your fast in the same attire. Isn’t that a perfect photo-op for a poster on secularism?’’ he asked even as he rewound and replayed many such instances for us.

During the month of Ramzan, the support crew is always ready with dates and tender coconut water. That is the normal practice. Everyone on the set joins in and shares the dates. “The pre-Ramzan schedules are real hectic as work on the finishing touches is on to ensure that the movie is released on the eve of the festival day. But I do enjoy playing the role of a glutton. And little does the audience realise that this poor man is running on an empty stomach to give them some light moments,” he gestured adieu as the words faded into the echoes of another roar of laughter that scares a lingering ribbon of cigarette smoke. “There are more stories to tell, but later,” Haneefa said as he walked up to the door with Mammootty to see us off. That broad grin flashed once more before the heavy door closed between us. Forever, as it happens, for we never met after that.