‘Mammootty plays it safe with his wealth’; CA Sanil Kumar reveals why the actor avoids risky businesses
For a superstar whose career has spanned decades and whose success extends well beyond the Malayalam film industry, Mammootty could arguably have his pick of business opportunities. Yet, when it comes to handling his wealth, the actor appears to prefer a considerably quieter route. Rather than building a sprawling business empire, he reportedly favours investments in tangible assets, particularly land, and stays away from ventures that involve substantial financial risks.
The insight comes from chartered accountant Sanil Kumar, who has been associated with the financial affairs and private business interests of Mammootty and Mohanlal for over three decades. Speaking on the 42 PodCatcher podcast, Sanil offered a glimpse into how the Malayalam megastar approaches money, investments and business decisions.
Why Mammootty stays away from big businesses?
According to Sanil, Mammootty has never been particularly keen on running large businesses or taking financial risks simply to expand his portfolio. His investments are largely concentrated in assets such as land, reflecting a preference for security over aggressive business expansion.
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“He doesn’t get involved in businesses like that. His investments are mostly in things like land. Beyond that, he hasn’t shown much interest in taking risks and running a business,” Sanil said during the conversation.
The accountant's observations point towards a relatively conservative approach to wealth management. Rather than constantly pursuing new commercial opportunities, Mammootty appears more focused on protecting and maintaining the wealth he has accumulated over the years.
The business venture Mammootty did back
However, staying away from big businesses does not mean Mammootty has never backed an entrepreneurial venture. Sanil also recalled the actor's involvement in Motherhood, a maternal care services brand founded by his daughter Surumy and her husband, Dr Mohammed Rehan Sayeed.
Mammootty was reportedly a major shareholder in the company, which started as a relatively small venture before attracting interest from an overseas buyer. According to Sanil, the business was eventually acquired by a foreign company, with its shareholders receiving a substantial premium.
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“Mammootty was a major shareholder in Motherhood. It was sold at a very good premium. You could call it a startup back then. I am talking about some 15 years ago. It's only now that we hear about startups every day. Motherhood began as a startup. Then a foreign company came in and took over,” he explained.
Sanil added that Mammootty's involvement in such ventures has been limited, reiterating that the actor generally prefers to keep his assets secure rather than enter large-scale businesses.
Mammootty's understanding of money and investments
Having worked closely with the actor for more than 30 years, Sanil also spoke about Mammootty's financial awareness. According to him, the superstar understands his finances well and has the clarity to make informed decisions about managing his assets.
“But he has the good sense and clarity to keep everything (his assets) safe,” Sanil added.
His comments offer a glimpse into a side of Mammootty that audiences rarely get to hear about. While his on-screen choices often involve bold characters and larger-than-life stories, his reported approach to personal wealth seems to follow a different philosophy: keep things secure, understand what you own and avoid unnecessary risks.
Mammootty's upcoming films
Meanwhile, Mammootty continues to remain busy with projects across industries. He will next be seen in filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's upcoming film 'Padayaatra'.
The actor is also part of Dhanush's pan-Indian action drama 'OM – Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood'. Mammootty plays Burma Karthikeyan, a powerful character known as 'Siya' among the locals.