When you say Mammootty birthday, you’re not just talking about a date on the calendar. For Malayalis, it feels like a festival. Today he turns 74, and somehow the man is still carrying Malayalam cinema like it’s a weightless crown. He’s not slowing down — he’s headlining thrillers, signing up for anthologies, and making fans cheer like teenagers.
I wanted to mark the day by looking back at some of Mammootty’s best movies. Not an “official” list — because let’s be honest, you could make ten different lists and still miss a gem — but ten films that show his range. A couple are streaming on ZEE5, perfect if you’re in the mood to watch tonight.
Kadugannawa: Oru Yathra Kurippu (Manorathangal, 2024 – ZEE5)
From the Manorathangal anthology, this short film shows Mammootty in a reflective, almost meditative role. It’s quiet, it’s short, but it sticks. Streaming on ZEE5, it proves he doesn’t need hours to impress — just twenty minutes of screen time and you’re sold.
Bazooka (2025 – ZEE5, upcoming)
Yes, it hasn’t released yet, but Bazooka is already on everyone’s radar. A stylish thriller with Mammootty at the center, it’s set to arrive on ZEE5. At 74, he’s not repeating himself; he’s pushing into edgier territory. That’s why fans are hyped.
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
Folklore gave us Chandu Chekavar as the villain, but Mammootty gave us a broken hero. In Hariharan’s Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, he plays Chandu as misunderstood, almost tragic. It’s no surprise he walked away with the National Award. The film is still quoted in schools and living rooms, decades later.
Mathilukal (1990)
Adapted from Basheer’s novel, this is as close as cinema gets to poetry. A love story across a prison wall. Mammootty barely meets the woman he loves, and yet he makes you believe in every ounce of longing. No dramatic flourishes, just quiet pain. Every time I watch it, I wonder how he made silence louder than dialogue.
Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
This film cuts deep. Mammootty as a teacher accused of losing his mind — when in truth it’s society that’s cruelly paranoid. Lohithadas’s writing was sharp, but it’s Mammootty’s quiet fall that lingers. Watching him here is uncomfortable, and maybe that’s why it’s unforgettable.
Bheeshma Parvam (2022)
Flash forward to recent years: Bheeshma Parvam proved he can still reinvent himself. As Michael, he walked, talked, and stared like a godfather — but one rooted in Kerala. The crowd reactions were insane. I saw people clap for just his entry shot. That aura at seventy-plus? Pure Mammukka.
Rajamanikyam (2005)
On the lighter side, Rajamanikyam is still a fan favorite. Mammootty, speaking in the Trivandrum slang, turned a cattle baron into one of Malayalam cinema’s most lovable characters. Families still repeat his one-liners. It’s fun, it’s quirky, and it showed he could do comedy without losing his star presence.
Pranchiyettan & the Saint (2010)
One word: vulnerable. As Pranchiyettan, the rich man who never feels respected, Mammootty mixes humor and sadness. His imaginary chats with St. Francis are funny but also heartbreaking. This role reminds you that he’s more than just a superstar — he’s a character actor who can expose insecurities we all recognize.
Munnariyippu (2014)
Minimalism at its finest. Mammootty plays a convict whose innocence is unclear, and he does it with eerie calm. No overacting, just eyes and pauses. By the end, you’re unsettled — and that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your head long after.
Pathemari (2015)
Every Malayali knows someone who worked in the Gulf. Pathemari tells that collective story through Narayanan. Mammootty makes you feel the weight of sacrifice — dreams lost, family left behind, dignity kept intact. It’s emotional, but not manipulative. It feels like real life, and maybe that’s why it hits so hard.
Honorable Mentions
New Delhi (1987) — the revenge saga that cemented him as a mass star.
Ponthan Mada (1994) — raw, rustic, award-winning.
Yavanika (1982) — a supporting role that hinted at greatness to come.
Why He Still Matters
What amazes me most is not just that Mammootty has lasted this long — it’s that he’s still relevant. He speaks to three generations at once. Parents admire his classics, my generation debates Munnariyippu and Pranchiyettan, younger fans roar for Bheeshma Parvam. And with platforms like ZEE5, his reach is global now.
He’s not clinging to nostalgia. He’s experimenting, pushing boundaries, and still making movies that trend on social media. How many actors at 74 can say that?
Final Thoughts
So yes, today’s not just about Mammootty blowing out candles. It’s about us rewatching, remembering, and realizing how lucky we are to have him still on screen. From folklore epics to prison dramas, from comedies to thrillers, from Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha to Bazooka, his journey is cinema history itself.
Happy Birthday, Mammukka. May the best still be ahead.
Bio of Author: Gayatri Tiwari is an experienced digital strategist and entertainment writer, bringing 20+ years of content expertise to one of India’s largest OTT platforms. She blends industry insight with a passion for cinema to deliver engaging, trustworthy perspectives on movies, TV shows and web series.
