Mammootty: Manorathangal will be pride of Malayalam cinema

Malayalam superstar Mammootty is thrilled about his upcoming anthology movie, Manorathangal. The film features nine short stories and stars a stellar cast of leading actors from Malayalam cinema, including Mammootty and Mohanlal. 

The trailer for Manorathangal was launched on Monday at a grand event, attended by nearly all the cast and crew of the anthology. Speaking at the event, Mammootty expressed his admiration for celebrated writer MT Vasudevan Nair's stories, upon which the film is based.

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Mammootty plays the lead role in the short segment titled Kadugannava Oru Yathra, helmed by director Ranjith. The 72-year-old superstar revealed his plans to make a feature film based on this short story. "We discussed making this story a feature-length movie, but due to delays, we decided to go with the short format. I wanted to act in all the stories, but I was only given one. Initially, I was asked to play two characters, but in the end, I was given just one," said Mammootty.

The anthology has been in the making for at least two years. Initially, Netflix was supposed to be the official streaming partner for the anthology, but now ZEE5 has taken on the project. All episodes of this anthology film will premiere on the platform on August 15. "This is an event that typically doesn't happen in Malayalam cinema. This anthology film will be the pride of Malayalam cinema," he added.

Besides many leading actors, eight A-list filmmakers have joined hands to direct this anthology, making it a one-of-a-kind collaboration in the history of Malayalam cinema. Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan, who shares a strong bond with Malayalam cinema and its literature, seemingly plays the role of the narrator.

"It (Kadugannava Oru Yathra) is a very soulful film, laced with nostalgia," said Mammootty. The film revolves around a generational home and its connection with a man who is settled in a foreign country.

"Films didn't have a literary structure before. It was after reading MT's screenplays that we realized there is a literary value to movies. MT pioneered it in Malayalam cinema," he remarked.

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