Here's why Mammootty did not win at the 70th National Awards
The recently-announced 70th National Film Awards left fans of Malayalam cinema disappointed and frustrated as Mammootty failed to receive any recognition despite his critically acclaimed performances in 2022.
Updated : August 17, 2024 01:15 PM ISTThe recently-announced 70th National Film Awards left fans of Malayalam cinema disappointed and frustrated as Mammootty failed to receive any recognition despite his critically acclaimed performances in 2022.
Mammootty in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam
Fans of Malayalam cinema were upset, and some were even furious after Mammootty failed to receive any recognition at the recently announced 70th National Film Awards . In the run-up to the announcement, social media was flooded with predictions about Mammootty's stellar performances in his 2022 films, which were widely considered top contenders for the Best Actor award. However, a wave of disappointment swept through the internet as Kannada star Rishab Shetty won the top honour for his career-defining performance in Kantara. It has now come to light that Mammootty did not win the award, as he was never a nominee.
In 2022, Mammootty had five releases, three of which showcased the ingenuity of his acting talent. Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, written and directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, was the absolute fan favourite. His performance as a Malayali possessed by the memories of a deceased Tamilian garnered widespread acclaim.
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However, it has now emerged that none of Mammootty's films were submitted for consideration by the national jury. In light of the controversy, director and National Award jury member M. B. Padmakumar has dismissed allegations of bias from the central government leading to Mammootty's National Award snub.
Padmakumar claimed that there was no interference from the central government whatsoever, citing an oversight on the part of the local jury, which was responsible for recommending titles to the national jury. "It's very regrettable that there is not a single Mammootty sir's movie in the list of movies that was sent to the awards committee," he said in a video.
Padmakumar criticized the negative narrative surrounding the award process circulating online, attributing the situation to human error, which deprived Mammootty of a shot at the coveted award. “It’s painful to see people using this situation to create a negative narrative. The failure to submit such a remarkable film for consideration is a significant mistake. This was not just a loss for Mammootty, but for Malayalam cinema as well," he told Manorama News.