It was recently announced that legendary actor Mammootty has joined the star cast of Dhanush's upcoming film D55, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. With the Mega Star on the cusp of completing 400 films in Malayalam, he has just starred in over a dozen Tamil films. But each one of them is a class apart. Though Mammookka is distinct with his prominent Malayalam accent, his performances and conviction always brought him closer to the Tamil masses. His high strike rate, given his limited filmography, speaks for itself.
Mounam Sammadham (1990 - Dir K Madhu)
The actor's CBI franchise, which began in 1988, contains five films in total. What could have probably prevented Mounam Sammadham from being part of the franchise is Mammootty being a lawyer, and the film being centred mostly on courtroom action in the second half. With Mammootty, director K Madhu, writer SN Swamy, and a whole lot of gritty investigation, make a strong case for Mounam Sammadham to be a spiritual part of the franchise. Starring as a thoroughly city-bred advocate, KC Raja, Mammootty has carried his role with elan both inside and outside the court. He is watchful and cautious, even in his seemingly casual moves. What's more? His crackling chemistry with Amala's Hema, unlike Sethurama Iyer, who always means business, underlines that Raja can let his guard down and bask in the 'Kalyana Then Nila,' thanks to Ilaiyaraaja.
Thalapathi (1991 - Dir Mani Ratnam)
A towering star like Mammootty can't help but display their flamboyance in a story like that of Thalapathi. Or so we thought. Mammootty's Deva is characterised by restraint over theatrics. The only time Deva emerges out of his stillness is when his close confidante and friend Surya (Rajinikanth) is rubbed the wrong way. The beauty of this film is that, despite featuring two huge stars of Indian cinema, they merely play their parts. Subordinating their star powers, Mammootty and Rajinikanth together have allowed Thalapathi to breathe as a film first before turning into a star vehicle.
Makkal Aatchi (1995 - Dir Selvamani)
This film could easily be one of the most fun Mammooty has had in his Tamil filmography. The press conference scene of Sethupathi (Mammootty) after getting elected as the CM, for instance. Laced with humour, Makkal Aatchi is that rare and brave film that has discussed some of the most controversial political occurrences and personalities of post-independent Tamil Nadu. Though dealt in a lighter vein, Mammootty's brilliant portrayal of a vacillating politician who cannot decide for himself has highlighted the perils of such politicians coming to power. His transformation after the first brush with the common man is a classic zero-to-hero story. Satirising politicians of all stripes, Makkal Aatchi resonated with public sentiment and proved a hugely successful film despite stiff Diwali competition from Rajinikanth's Muthu and Kamal Haasan's Kuruthi Punal. The film's success resulted in Mammootty's second collaboration with Selvamani, Arasiyal, in 1997.
Aanandham (2001 - Dir Lingusamy)
Unlike his other films that ooze with mass energy, filmmaker Lingusamy made a soft and mellow entry into films with Aanandham with an enviable ensemble, much like the family featured in the film. We never really see Thirupathisamy (Mammootty), Madhavan (Murali), Kannan (Abbas), and Surya (Shyam Ganesh) as children in a flashback, but we are convinced that they could reconcile in unexpected ways after situations that threaten their bond. Be it Madhavan's wife (Rambha) and brother-in-law constantly incensing Madhavan, his setting up a new shop, opening a mill, or Kannan's wedding, no situation or misunderstanding reaches a point of no return. Leading a joint family with compassion, Mammootty makes Thirupathisamy, someone who is unrealistically understanding and ideal, believable with his performance.
Peranbu (2019 - Dir Ram)
Wife leaves his side, parents and relatives scorn him for not leaving his spastic child behind, and he is pushed to the point of isolation, but Mammootty's Amudhavan in Ram's Peranbu, like his name, never turns bitter by any of these actions. Amudhavan, for his fortitude and relentlessness in facing one hardship after another, carries some semblance to Thirupathisamy. Amudhavan is radically empathetic, even when the world teaches him an opposite lesson. Not knowing how to handle his spastic child, who hits puberty, and getting worn down in possibly every circumstance, he still manages to carry a smile and hand one of the two lollipops he brought for his child to a stranger's child. In possibly one of the most deglam roles of his long and illustrious career, Mammootty transforms his suffering into a quiet grace and displays only Peranbu (or great love).