Malayalam cinema’s star-studded cameos that left lasting impressions on audiences

Cameo roles that appear at a crucial moment in films often pack a punch, sending audiences into a thrilling frenzy in theatres. Mammootty’s voice as ‘Moothon’ in the blockbuster movie ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ was one of its biggest highlights.

The audience instantly recognised the screen icon’s voice from a single dialogue that made a fabulous impact on the storyline. Meanwhile, Mohanlal charmed the audience by saying ‘entha mone’ in his quintessential style in the Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Jailer’.

Besides Mohanlal, Jailer featured some of the biggest names from multiple industries appearing in cameo roles. Kannada superstar Shivraj Kumar and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff set the screens on fire, impressing their fans in Jailer.

Meanwhile, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s cameo in ‘Coolie’ was one of the most talked-about cameo appearances in recent times.

The producers aim to make big money from a state when they rope in stars from a particular industry to play cameo roles. Besides, the film could also be promoted as a pan-Indian film. However, Malayalam cinema had mastered the art of introducing artists from other industries in key cameo roles long before the concept of pan-Indian films became familiar.

The devotional films of the olden times are perfect examples of this. Some of them became blockbuster hits, with massive box-office collections from all over South India.

From Shivaji to Bachchan
When Gemini Ganesan appeared in a cameo role in ‘Kumara Sambhavam’ (1969), the film grabbed attention in Tamil Nadu too. ‘Kumara Sambhavam’, starring Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, was bankrolled by Merryland Subramanian. Many actors and actresses from various languages played cameo or supporting roles in films produced by Merryland.

Meanwhile, it was Sivaji Ganesan who shared screen space with Prem Nazar in ‘Thacholi Ambu’ (1978). Prabhu Ganesan, Sivaji’s son, also acted in a Malayalam movie later. Kamal Haasan (in various films), Sarath Kumar (‘Christian Brothers’), Dhanush (‘Kammath & Kammath’), Arya (‘Urumi’) and R. Parthiban (‘Narendran Vaka Jayakanthan Vaka’) are some of the Tamil actors who played cameo roles in various Malayalam films.

Bollywood actor Amjad Khan was seen in ‘Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar’ while superstar Amitabh Bachchan appeared in a pivotal role in ‘Khandahar’. Meanwhile, hit-maker Priyadarshan introduced a number of Hindi actors, including Anil Kapoor and Suniel Shetty, to Malayalam cinema.

Nandagopal Marar and Niranjan
Although there are countless memorable cameo roles in Malayalam cinema, Nandagopal Marar (played by Mammootty) in ‘Narasimham’ and Niranjan (played by Mohanlal) in ‘Summer in Bethlehem’ are two of the most iconic guest appearances. Poovally Induchoodan in Narasimham was the most significant character in Mohanlal’s career, as it catapulted him to a superhero image.

Meanwhile, advocate Nandagopal Marar arrives to help Induchoodan at a crucial moment in his life. Filmmakers vouch for the importance of perfect casting in such cases. The image and star power of the actor who plays the cameo role matter greatly. An actor of equal status or more needed to be signed to essay the role of advocate Nandagopal Marar.

There was only one actor in the same league as Mohanlal in star power and charisma — Mammootty. Director Shaji Kailas and screenwriter Ranjith were already planning a project with Mammootty in the lead role, so it was easy for them to approach the mega-star. Mammootty willingly agreed to do the role. Ranjith didn’t disappoint: he wrote some of the most iconic lines for Mammootty while Shaji Kailas crafted the perfect scenes that had mass appeal.

The audience was surprised when Mohanlal’s character appeared on screen in Summer in Bethlehem. Filming had begun without a proper written script. So, Mohanlal’s character was born halfway through the filming. When Ranjith told Sibi Malayil about the character called Niranjan, the latter wondered which actor to cast. The movie already featured leading stars like Suresh Gopi and Jayaram.

Hence, the cameo actor needed to be someone who was a bigger star. They considered Kamal Haasan, believing the actor wouldn’t refuse if his close friend Jayaram requested. They even planned to cast Rajinikanth in that role. Ultimately, Sibi and Ranjith decided to meet Mohanlal. The actor was then undergoing treatment in Bengaluru.

Sibi was surprised to see a rejuvenated Mohanlal who had grown a beard—he looked exactly like Niranjan in the movie. Lal liked the role and agreed promptly. Sibi then requested Mohanlal to keep the beard, as it suited the character well.

The audience in theatres erupted in applause and cheers when Mohanlal appeared towards the climax of the movie. Although there was a short scene with Niranjan and Abhirami, it was edited out after the first show. Meanwhile, the audience is thrilled as social media buzzes with discussions about a possible sequel, and they wonder whether Niranjan will reappear, at least in flash-back scenes.

The saviour
Cameos are reserved for characters who appear in just two or three scenes at a crucial moment in the script. The character usually comes to save or assist the lead hero. Mohanlal’s cameo in ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ starring Nivin Pauly in the lead role is a perfect example. While reading the script, Nivin asked the script-writer, Sanjay, about the actor who would do the guest role.

Casting wasn’t done even after filming started. The crew considered many actors from Tamil and Malayalam. Director Roshan Andrews had even gone to meet one of them. However, on his way, he suddenly stopped the vehicle and decided to call Antony Perumbavoor. Antony was impressed by the story and premise of the movie.

It didn’t take too long for Mohanlal to enchant the audience as the iconic Ithikkara Pakki. After Lal arrived on set, Nivin wished to add a fabulous fight sequence for Pakki—and that is how Mohanlal’s character became an extended cameo in the film.

Super-hit combo
Films get elevated to the next level when screen icons Mammootty and Mohanlal appear together on screen. While Mammootty played himself in the Mohanlal starrer ‘Number 20 Madras Mail’, Mohanlal appeared as actor Mohanlal in Mammootty’s ‘Manu Uncle’. Interestingly, both films were written by veteran screenwriter Dennis Joseph.

It wasn’t difficult for Dennis Joseph, one of the most prolific screenwriters of Malayalam cinema, who had given back-to-back hits for both Mammootty and Mohanlal, to cast them together in his films. Mammootty made a cameo appearance in ‘Gandhi Nagar Second Street’ starring Mohanlal in the lead role, and Mohanlal made a short appearance in Mammootty's starrer ‘Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty’.

Both stars set the screens on fire playing equally significant roles in the mega movie ‘Twenty 20’. Meanwhile, Malayali movie-goers are eagerly waiting to see this super-hit combo make another on-screen appearance together in Patriot by Mahesh Narayanan.

Suresh Gopi’s ‘Minnal Prathapan’ cameo in ‘Manu Uncle’ is another notable one. In Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Jayaram’s film, Mohanlal appeared at a crucial moment. Mammootty made an impact playing a significant extended cameo role in ‘Abraham Ozler’ starring Jayaram. Suresh Gopi impressed audiences with his guest appearances in ‘The King’, ‘Notebook’ and ‘Manathe Kottaram’.

Mammootty appeared as superstar Ashok Raj in ‘Katha Parayumbol’, while he played himself in One Way Ticket starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. Prithviraj did a cameo role in ‘Bachelor Party’ while Dulquer Salmaan appeared in ‘Parava’ and ‘Ann Maria Kalippilaanu’. Asif Ali appeared in pivotal cameo roles in ‘Vellimoonga’, ‘Ustad Hotel’ and ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.

In ‘Vikramadityan’ and ‘Anandam’, Nivin Pauly’s cameo roles were very well received by the audience. Biju Menon’s cameo in ‘Kunjiramayanam’ remains one of the best-loved cameos of recent times. Parvathy (‘Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu’), Manju Warrier (‘Pavada’), Nikhila Vimal (‘Bro Daddy’, ‘Anjam Pathira’) and Nayanthara (‘Life of Josutty’) are some actresses who essayed impressive cameo roles in various films. Meanwhile, the audience are already thrilled to watch Mohanlal’s much-awaited cameo role in the forthcoming Dileep-starrer ‘Bha Bha Bha’.