Celebrations were in order on the sets of Padayaatra as legendary actor Mammootty was warmly felicitated by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and the film’s team following the announcement of his Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour. The moment was especially poignant as the film marks Mammootty’s reunion with the auteur after a gap of 32 years.
When Mammootty arrived on set after the honour was announced, Adoor welcomed the veteran actor with a bouquet and ceremonially draped a shawl around him as a mark of respect. The occasion soon turned festive, with the cast and crew coming together to cut a cake and share in the joy. Actors Grace Antony and Indrans, who play key roles in the film, were among those present at the celebration. With this recognition, Mammootty becomes only the fourth actor from Malayalam cinema to receive the Padma Bhushan.
The honour, announced ahead of India’s 77th Republic Day, was widely seen as long-overdue recognition for an artist whose career has shaped Malayalam cinema for over five decades. On Sunday, the Ministry of Home Affairs named Mammootty among the Padma awardees, marking 28 years since he was earlier conferred the Padma Shri in 1998.
Padayaatra has generated considerable excitement, bringing together Mammootty and Adoor for the fourth time after Anantaram, Mathilukal and Vidheyan, films that are widely regarded as landmarks of Indian cinema. The new project is produced under Mammootty’s own banner Mammootty Kampany and is currently under production. Adoor has co-written the film with author and former IAS officer K V Mohan Kumar.
