Mammootty turns 75: Fans celebrate an icon whose passion for cinema never fades

Iconic actor Mammootty turned 75 on Monday (September 7, 2026), with fans paying heartfelt tribute to his illustrious journey in cinema spanning more than five decades.

On his birthday, the popular actor took to social media to announce the title and first look poster of his new movie Mela directed by Nithish Sahadev, whose earlier works include Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil, and Falimy. Wearing a black dhoti and shirt and with a cropped beard, his character poster promises a thrilling action ride for moviegoers. The movie is being bankrolled by the actor’s Mammootty Kampany. Interestingly, Mela shares its title with the renowned late filmmaker K.G. George’s critically-acclaimed movie released in 1980 featuring Mammootty in one of his memorable roles in his early career.

A day before, Mammootty had dropped another surprise by releasing his character poster in the much-awaited Om – Chapter 1 directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and actor Dhanush in lead role.

Fans gather at house

Scores of his fans gathered at his residence in Kochi on Sunday night to celebrate his birthday. They distributed cakes to celebrate the occasion and wished him good health even as the actor thanked them after appearing in a video call from Chennai.

Sibi Malayil, noted filmmaker, who worked with Mammootty in movies, including Thaniyavarthanam and Mudra, said the legendary actor has moved seamlessly through generations by portraying several characters through his passion and artistry. “He is inventing himself with every movie and looking out for new challenges in his creative pursuit,” he said.

Actor and MLA Ramesh Pisharody, who joined the birthday celebrations at the actor’s residence in Chennai, said Mammootty has always surprised him by showing how a person can adapt in tune with the changing times. “He has moved generations through the varied roles he had played in his chequered career,” he said.

CM extends birthday wishes

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan took to social media to extend his birthday wishes and said that “the pride of Malayalam” has created magic on the screen over the last five decades. His dedication to the craft will always remain an inspiration for Indian cinema, he said.

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan said the versatile actor has explored the immense possibilities of acting through the characters he had portrayed.

The year 2026 has been special for the actor after he won the Rajat Kamal for Best Actor — a record-equalling fourth that now places him alongside veteran Amitabh Bachchan — for his chilling potrayal of Kodumon Potty in the horror thriller Bramayugam directed by Rahul Sadasivan.

He had last won the Rajat Kamal in 1999 for his exceptional performance in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He had won the award in 1989 for two films – Mathilukal and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. In 1994, he won it again for Vidheyan and Ponthan Mada.

He made his debut in a brief appearance in the renowned filmmaker K.S. Sethumadhavan’s ‘Anubhavangal Paalichakal’ in 1971. Since then, he has mesmerised audiences across languages in a filmography spanning over 400 movies.

His upcoming projects include Padayaatra helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and Mattancherry Mafia directed by Khalid Rahman.