Mammootty has added another major honour to his celebrated career by winning the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Bramayugam. The recognition was announced at the 72nd National Film Awards, adding another prestigious achievement to the Malayalam superstar’s long and remarkable journey in Indian cinema.
Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, Bramayugam presented Mammootty in a very different avatar. Set against the backdrop of Kerala’s folklore and a dark, unsettling world, the film explored power, fear, survival and human nature through a period setting. Mammootty played Kodumon Potti, a mysterious and intimidating character whose presence drives much of the film’s tension. His performance became one of the biggest talking points surrounding the movie.
What made the role particularly striking was the way Mammootty approached the character. Rather than relying only on dialogue or conventional hero moments, the performance was built around expressions, body language, voice modulation and an imposing screen presence. The character’s unpredictable nature allowed Mammootty to explore a darker side of his acting, making the performance stand out even within his extensive filmography.
Bramayugam also marked a notable change in tone for Mammootty, who has continued to experiment with challenging roles and unconventional stories even at this stage of his career. The film gave him an opportunity to step into a world rooted in folklore while also functioning as a psychological and atmospheric drama.
The National Award further highlights the impact of that performance. Mammootty has previously delivered several acclaimed performances across Malayalam cinema, and this latest recognition adds another important chapter to his national-level achievements. For fans and the Malayalam film industry, seeing an actor of his stature receive the Best Actor honour for such an unconventional role makes the recognition particularly significant.
With Bramayugam, Mammootty once again demonstrated his ability to completely transform himself for a character and carry a film through performance alone. The National Film Award now stands as another major recognition for a career that has continued to evolve through different genres, characters and generations of Indian cinema.