Kochi (Kerala): Producer Anto Joseph has shared a heartwarming account of a rare and touching experience of fan affection showered upon Malayalam superstar Mammootty in Tamil Nadu. The incident took place as Mammootty was returning from the location of his new project, produced by Mammootty Kampany and directed by Nithesh Sahadev.

While returning from Tamil Nadu, their journey came to a halt in Tirupattur due to a highway block. Despite using Google Maps to navigate through various alternative routes, they remained stuck. As they were contemplating turning back, a young man named Pandyan, whom they met at a petrol pump in Pattamangalam, came to their rescue, Anto Joseph recounted in his moving note.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcBPU0Qw5ji/

Upon recognising Mammootty inside the car, Pandyan immediately got on his motorbike and instructed them to follow him. Around 4.30 am, he guided their vehicle for nearly 10 kilometres. Inspired by a thought-provoking comment from actor-comedian Ramesh Pisharody, who was travelling with them, Mammootty stepped out of the car to pose for a photograph with Pandyan.

The full text of Anto Joseph's note 

“Boundless love...

‘Are you Mammootty Sir? Follow me!’

It was past 3.30 am. We were returning to Kerala from Karaikudi, the shooting location of the new film produced by Mammootty Kampany and directed by Nithesh Sahadev. In the car were driver Unni, George, Ramesh Pisharody and myself, alongside Mammookka.

The highway was blocked at Tirupattur. Google Maps redirected us through several roundabout routes, but to no avail. Nearly an hour passed in frustration.
 

An annoyed Mammookka said, ‘Let’s head back to our room in Karaikudi; hopefully, the road will open by tomorrow morning.’ George agreed and Unni turned the car around.

Pisharody and I exchanged glances. All of tomorrow’s plans were ruined. There were no other commuters or vehicles on the road to seek help from.

We spotted a petrol pump in a place called Pattamangalam. A young man was sleeping inside a mosquito net. He suggested a few routes, but many of them were roads we had already tried and found blocked. Another man, who was sleeping a short distance away, walked over to us. ‘Are you Keralites?’ he asked.

He then peered closely into the car. Excitement and wonder washed over his face as the lingering sleepiness instantly vanished.

‘Are you Mammootty sir? Follow me!’

Riding ahead on his motorbike, he guided us for nearly 10 kilometres through shortcuts that even Google didn't know about.

‘Go straight from here, and you'll reach Kerala,’ he said, pointing ahead.

What a wonderful human being.

‘If he tells anyone tomorrow that he met Mammookka at 4.30 in the morning and showed him the way, would anyone believe him?’ Pisharody remarked.

Hearing this, Mammookka stepped out of the car, took the young man's phone, handed it to Pisharody, and embraced him tightly.

‘What is your name?’

‘Pandyan’.

‘Pisharody, who had accompanied us to discuss matters regarding Mammookka's ‘Care and Share’ foundation, turned to me and said:

‘Anto Chetta, we must share the care he showed us’.

May ‘PANDYAN’ become ‘PAN-INDIAN’!”