PremiumNaseeruddin Shah on how Mohanlal and Mammootty have used their stardom - 'It is very rare anywhere in India for...’
Naseeruddin Shah, who was recently in Kerala, speaks about his experience of working in the film Ponthan Mada, and the stardom of Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Last Updated: 06.55 PM, Jan 25, 2025
Naseeruddin Shah has left an indelible mark in Indian cinema with his impeccable acting prowess. The actor, who is known for his performances in Masoom and A Wednesday, among many others, has also acted in a Malayalam film with Mammootty, titled Ponthan Mada. Naseeruddin Shah, who was recently in Kerala, speaks about his experience of working in the film, and the stardom of Mohanlal and Mammootty.
Naseeruddin Shah on Mohanlal and Mammootty
Naseeruddin Shah recently came to the southern state to participate in the Kerala Literature Festival. In an interview with The Hindu, Naseeruddin Shah spoke about his only stint in Malayalam cinema and its stalwarts Mammootty and Mohanlal.
While stating that he enjoyed working with ‘the great actor’ Mammootty in the critically acclaimed Ponthan Mada, Shah also reflected on how the big actors of Malayalam cinema have used their stardom.
“Malayalam is lucky that Mammootty and Mohanlal have used their stardom to act in good movies,” the veteran actor remarked. He further pointed out that these two Malayalam stars have been ready to work with newcomers in films with smaller budgets.
“It is very rare anywhere in India for stars of that magnitude to do these things,” he said, while adding that he wished at least some of the Hindi stars also participated in movies that should be seen.
Meanwhile, Mammootty and Mohanlal will be acting in a film, directed by Mahesh Narayanan.
Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada, directed by T V Chandran, featured Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah. This is the only Malayalam film that Shah has been part of. The film won 4 National Film Awards, which included Mammootty being adjudged the Best Actor.
Mammootty played the titular Ponthan Mada, while Naseeruddin Shah essayed the role of Sheema Thampuran in the film which tracked the unlikely bond between these two characters. In The Hindu interview, Naseeruddin Shah also admitted that he struggled with the Malayalam dialogues in the film.
On the other hand, Naseeruddin Shah was last seen in Sonu Sood’s Fateh which was released in theatres on January 10, 2025. Shah was also part of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a Netflix series which released last year.