Megastar Mammootty has revealed intriguing details about his upcoming crime thriller Kalamkaval, hinting at a complex role
With the release of Kalamkaval just days away, excitement among Mammootty’s fans is reaching fever pitch. The crime thriller marks the megastar’s first release following a short hiatus due to a health scare, and its trailer has only intensified anticipation.
During a recent conversation with actor-screenwriter Santhi Mayadevi for Mammootty Kampany, Mammootty addressed persistent rumours about whether he portrays the hero or the villain in the film. The actor reflected on the complexity of roles, saying, “Even other (non-lead) characters can show heroism. At the same time, villains can also be major characters. Had I asked for another role in Bramayugam (2024), they might have agreed. But this (Kodumon Potti) turned out to be even better. Once you graduate to senior roles, you get to choose from a much wider range of options.”
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On his character in Kalamkaval, he added simply: “He is not a good soul.”
Mammootty also shed light on the film’s title and its cultural significance. Kalamkaval draws inspiration from a ritualistic performing art popular in southern Kerala, often held during the festival Kaliyoottu. In the ritual, a person dressed as Goddess Bhadrakali searches for the asura Darika. “It’s a ritual organised during a festival. On this occasion, the person dressed as Bhadrakali runs around searching for Darika. Our movie also features a symbolic Bhadrakali in search of a Darika,” Mammootty explained.
The actor also addressed speculation linking his character to the notorious serial killer Mohan Kumar, popularly known as Cyanide Mohan. He clarified that while his character employs cyanide, there is no direct connection to the real-life criminal: “Every movie is a mix of real incidents and fiction. The makers may have been inspired by certain real-life events, but there is no direct link to Cyanide Mohan’s life.”
Reflecting on his approach to challenging roles, Mammootty highlighted that his choices are driven by a desire to satisfy his craft rather than sheer courage: “I don’t want to ignore the actor in me. I want to ensure he earns a position and is properly fed. The rest—superstardom—came afterwards. Though I respect it, my ultimate preference is always the actor in me.”
Vinayakan, who plays a key role in Kalamkaval, also earned praise from Mammootty. Commenting on his co-star’s professionalism and talent, the megastar said: “He is a very disciplined actor and he has the passion for acting. And we all know that. Other aspects people might have different opinions on, but Vinayakan has grown because of his talent, and this movie will showcase that even more.”
Mammootty also reflected on his connection with younger actors and the coming generations, saying, “I interact and get along with youngsters and the next generations because that is necessary for me. It is more for my growth than for theirs. From my point of view, evolving is my need more than anything else.”
Kalamkaval is directed by debutant Jithin K Jose, with screenplay co-written by Jithin and Jishnu Sreekumar. The film is produced by Mammootty Kampany and features cinematography by Faisal Ali, music by Mujeeb Majeed, editing by Praveen Prabhakar, and production design by Shajie Naduvil.
The highly anticipated thriller is scheduled for release on Friday, December 5, 2025, and is expected to be one of the biggest Malayalam releases of the year.
Published: 01 Dec 2025, 09:37 am IST
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