Mammootty explains why he’s embracing darker characters

Mammootty has opened up about the new phase in his acting career, saying his shift towards mature and grey-shaded characters has unlocked exciting creative possibilities. In a promotional video for ‘Kalamkaval’ with actor-writer Shanthi Mayadevi, he said this change is driven not by courage but by a genuine need to satisfy the actor within him. He added that roles like Chaathan in ‘Bramayugam’ reflect this artistic urge.

The actor also spoke highly of co-star Vinayakan, calling him one of the most disciplined performers in the industry. Mammootty said longevity in cinema depends on consistently strong performances and that Vinayakan excels because of his sincerity and dedication.

In ‘Kalamkaval’, releasing on December 5, Mammootty plays a morally flawed man who has relationships with several women. He clarified that despite references to cyanide, the film is not based on the Cyanide Mohan case. He also noted that senior actors enjoy more variety in roles than romantic leads and that he prefers being known as an actor rather than a star.

Jithin K Jose directs ‘Kalamkaval’, co-written with Jishnu Sreekumar. The film stars Mammootty and Vinayakan, alongside Jibin Gopinath, Gayathri Arun and Rajisha Vijayan.