Veteran actor Mammootty was named a Padma Bhushan awardee by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, marking another historic chapter in one of Indian cinema’s most formidable careers. The recognition comes 28 years after he was conferred the Padma Shri in 1998, and places him among the most decorated cultural figures in the country.
A Nation’s Honour for a Screen Legend
With a filmography that stretches across more than five decades and over 400 films in multiple languages, Mammootty has long been regarded as one of the most influential performers India has produced. From intense political dramas and literary adaptations to mainstream entertainers and experimental cinema, his choices have consistently reflected a restless artistic curiosity.
Born Muhammad Kutty Ismail Paniparambil, Mammootty emerged in the late 1970s and quickly established himself as a performer of uncommon emotional depth. Films such as Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Thaniyavarthanam, Amaram and Mathilukal did not just win him acclaim but helped redefine what mainstream Malayalam cinema could attempt in terms of psychological complexity and moral ambiguity. Over the years, he has balanced that legacy with commercial hits, turning himself into a rare figure who commands both critical respect and box office power.
The Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, will be formally presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this summer. For Mammootty, it stands not just as a personal milestone but as recognition of a body of work that has left a permanent imprint on Indian film culture.
Messages From a Brotherhood of Legends
The announcement triggered an outpouring of love from across the film industry, led by Mammootty’s longtime contemporary and occasional screen rival Mohanlal. The actor took to social media to congratulate him, addressing him with affectionate familiarity.
“Ichakka, absolutely delighted to know you’ve been conferred the Padma Bhushan. Heartfelt congratulations. Wishing you continued grace and glory.”
The message instantly resonated with fans, many of whom grew up watching Mammootty and Mohanlal define Malayalam cinema through decades of collaboration and competition. The two have shared screen space in more than 50 films, building a creative rivalry that has fuelled some of the industry’s most iconic performances. Later this year, they will reunite in Mahesh Narayanan’s espionage thriller Patriot, slated for a worldwide theatrical release on April 23, one of the most anticipated Malayalam films of the year.
Equally striking was the tribute from Kamal Haasan, who approached Mammootty’s achievement with reflection and literary flourish. Taking to social media, Kamal wrote that although the two had never acted together, their bond had been shaped by admiration, honest critique and mutual respect.
“My dear friend Mammootty has been announced as the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award. We haven’t acted together in any films.”
எனà¯�னà¯�டைய பிரியதà¯�தà¯�கà¯�கà¯�ரிய நணà¯�பரà¯� @mammukka அவரà¯�களà¯�கà¯�கà¯� பதà¯�à®® பூஷனà¯� விரà¯�தà¯� அறிவிகà¯�கபà¯�படà¯�டà¯�ளà¯�ளதà¯�. நாஙà¯�களà¯� இரà¯�வரà¯�à®®à¯� சேரà¯�நà¯�தà¯� நடிதà¯�ததிலà¯�லை. ஆனாலà¯�, நானà¯� அவரையà¯�à®®à¯� அவரà¯� எனà¯�னையà¯�à®®à¯� தூர இரà¯�நà¯�தà¯� ரசிதà¯�தà¯�à®®à¯� à®’à®°à¯�வரà¯�கà¯�கொரà¯�வரà¯� நேரடியாக விமரà¯�சிதà¯�தà¯�கà¯�கொணà¯�டà¯�à®®à¯� à®’à®°à¯� ‘கோபà¯�பெரà¯�ஞà¯�சோழனà¯� பிசிராநà¯�தையாரà¯�’…
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 25, 2026
He went on to describe their friendship as one that thrived from a distance, adding that they had “cherished each other from afar while directly critiquing one another.” In a poetic touch, Kamal compared their relationship to the legendary bond between Chola king Kopperuncholayar and poet Pisiranthaiyar, a symbol of enduring respect in classical Tamil literature.
There was also a note of gentle regret and admiration in his message. Kamal reflected that the two could have met more often over the years, before declaring, “As a Mammootty fan, my expectation is that my fans should also be his fans.” He signed off warmly, writing, “My friend Mammootty has now become Padma Bhushan Mammootty. Congratulations to my friend.”
Together, these tributes underline what the Padma Bhushan ultimately represents. Mammootty is not just an award-winning actor, but a cultural force whose work has inspired peers, shaped generations of audiences and elevated the very language of Indian cinema.
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