Don't do any magic, something comes my way: Mammootty on 4th National Film Award
Malayalam superstar Mammootty won his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Rahul Sadasivan’s Bramayugam. The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is being held in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, where President Droupadi Murmu is presenting the awards. Mammootty shares the Best Actor honour with Kartik Aaryan, who was recognised for his performance in Chandu Champion.
The win adds another National Award to a career spanning more than five decades. Mammootty had previously won the Best Actor award for Mathilukal and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha in 1990, Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan in 1994, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1999. His latest win comes for his portrayal of Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam, Rahul Sadasivan’s period folk horror film that was shot entirely in black and white.
Speaking about the recognition and his journey as an actor, Mammootty said it was an inspiration for every performer to be recognised at the national level.
“It is an inspiration to every performer to get recognised by the nation. And rightly, I am very fortunate to get my fourth National Award. It has been a long journey, with a lot of people behind me — my directors, technicians, co-actors and producers, and the people who were appreciating me. I am happy that I could entertain them for such a long time. I can do it more and more times. I can assure you that I am going to work very hard,” he said.
Mammootty also spoke about his approach to preparing for characters and said he does not follow an elaborate preparation process before stepping onto a set. Talking specifically about Bramayugam, he said he chose the script rather than the character and that his transformation into Kodumon Potti happened while working with his make-up and costume team.
“I chose the script rather than the role. I don’t have much preparations. When I am on the set on the first day, I get something. I don’t know what magic it is. I don’t do any magic myself but something comes my way, that I keep, luckily and it happens,” he said.
Speaking about the look in Bramayugam, Mammootty added, “This was not the actual character structure they brought me. That was something else. I sat with my make-up man and costume for half an hour and I could become that (his character in the film). I should thank my director, make-up man, costumer and of course the cameraman.”
Bramayugam, which released in 2024, was directed by Rahul Sadasivan and starred Mammootty alongside Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan and Amalda Liz. Set in 17th-century Kerala, the film blends folk horror, mythology, folklore and elements of social and religious commentary. The film was presented entirely in black and white, with cinematographer Shehnad Jalal using light, shadow and texture to create its visual world.
Mammootty also pointed out that the film’s monochrome treatment was a new experience for him. “This is a black and white film. Maybe my first film. Long ago I had done a cameo in a black and white film but that was it,” he said.
The National Film Awards also recognised the film’s technical achievement. Shehnad Jalal won the Best Cinematography award for Bramayugam, making it a two-award winner at the 72nd National Film Awards. The jury citation praised the film’s black-and-white cinematography for turning light and shadow into storytelling tools and creating an immersive visual experience.
For Mammootty, the latest honour arrives more than three decades after his first National Award. His 1990 win recognised his performances in Mathilukal and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. Four years later, he won again for Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan, while his portrayal of Dr BR Ambedkar in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar earned him his third Best Actor honour.
His fourth win also continues the recognition Bramayugam has received since its release. Mammootty won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the film in 2025, while the film’s distinctive visual treatment earned further recognition for cinematographer Shehnad Jalal.
The 72nd National Film Awards, which recognise films from 2024, were announced in July 2026. Article 370 won Best Feature Film, Yami Gautam won Best Actress for the same film, and Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Director for Amaran. Kalki 2898 AD was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.- EndsPublished By: Sanjay Ponnappa CSPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 16:42 ISTALSO READ | How Aditya Dhar is emerging as National Awards' golden boy
