Iconic Malayalam actor Mammootty has added another milestone to his illustrious career by winning the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his stellar performance in the horror thriller Bramayugam. He shares this year’s honour with Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who won for Chandu Champion.
The award marks Mammootty’s fourth National Film Award for Best Actor, placing him alongside Amitabh Bachchan with the highest number of National Awards in the Best Actor category.
The 2025–26 period has been one of extraordinary achievements for the Malayalam megastar. After being conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, and winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, Mammootty has now completed a rare and historic trifecta of major honours with his National Film Award.
In Bramayugam, directed by Rahul Sadasivan, Mammootty delivered a haunting performance as Kodumon Potti, an enigmatic and tyrannical feudal lord. The monochrome psychological horror film, rooted in Kerala’s folklore, later reveals the character to be an ancient evil entity, a Chathan.
Shot entirely in black and white, Bramayugam relied on atmosphere and performance rather than visual spectacle. With no elaborate visual effects or colourful backdrops, Mammootty’s nuanced expressions, subtle gestures, and commanding screen presence carried the film, earning widespread critical acclaim.
Mammootty showcased his remarkable versatility by following his acclaimed performance in Kaathal: The Core, in which he portrayed Mathew Devassy, a middle-aged man coming to terms with his sexuality, with the vastly different role of Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam. The striking contrast between the two performances further underscored his exceptional acting range.
With a career spanning more than five decades and over 400 films, Mammootty has built a legacy that extends far beyond Malayalam cinema. He has delivered acclaimed performances in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language films.
At 74, Mammootty continues to reinvent himself with bold and unconventional roles, proving that age has only strengthened his artistic ambition. His achievements during 2025–26 have further cemented his status as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, with a legacy that transcends generations and regional boundaries.