Key Highlights:

  • Mammootty received a standing ovation upon accepting the Best Actor National Award for "Bramayugam" from President Droupadi Murmu.
  • "Bramayugam," directed by Rahul Sadasivan, is a black-and-white period horror film set in 17th-century Kerala.
  • Mammootty plays the enigmatic Kodumon Potti, alongside co-stars Arjun Ashokan and Siddharth Bharathan.
  • With a 45-year career, Mammootty has now won three National Film Awards for Best Actor, alongside seven Kerala State Film Awards and 13 Filmfare Awards South.
  • He shared the Best Actor honour with Kartik Aaryan, recognised for "Chandu Champion."

A Moment of Respect on the National Stage

Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty, who was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Actor for his work in "Bramayugam," received a standing ovation at the recently concluded ceremony, a gesture that underscored the industry's widespread respect for his decades-long career.

Receiving the Honour From the President

The actor took to the stage to receive the honour from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the official awards ceremony held in Kevadia, Gujarat. As the actor was conferred the honour as per the official state protocol of the National Awards, attendees gave him a standing ovation as a mark of respect for his service to the medium of cinema.

The Film Behind the Award

"Bramayugam" is a period horror film directed by Rahul Sadasivan. It also starred Arjun Ashokan and Siddharth Bharathan. Set in 17th-century Kerala, the film follows Thevan, a young folk singer who seeks shelter at an isolated mansion and finds himself trapped in a sinister world controlled by the enigmatic Kodumon Potti, played by Mammootty.

A Distinctive Visual and Thematic Approach

The film was shot entirely in black and white, creating an eerie, oppressive atmosphere while drawing on Kerala folklore, mythology and themes of power, caste and exploitation, an ambitious stylistic and thematic choice that appears to have contributed significantly to the recognition the film and its lead actor have now received.

A Career Spanning Four and a Half Decades

Mammootty is one of the biggest screen legends of India, with a career spanning 45 years. He made his screen debut in "Anubhavangal Paalichakal" and established himself as a leading actor during the 1980s, building a filmography that has since spanned multiple decades of Indian cinema.

A Long List of Accolades

He has won three National Film Awards for Best Actor, seven Kerala State Film Awards and 13 Filmfare Awards South, a body of recognition that places him among the most decorated actors in Indian cinema. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English-language films, reflecting a career that has extended well beyond Malayalam cinema alone. In 2026, the Government of India also awarded him the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the arts, adding a civilian honour to his extensive list of achievements.

A Shared Best Actor Honour

The actor shared the National Award for Best Actor with Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who was feted for his work in the sports biopic "Chandu Champion," marking a notable instance of the award being jointly conferred across two different film industries at this year's ceremony.