Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
Mammotty's 40-second film with a message - Say No to Liquor and Say No to Drugs - was unveiled Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
"I always try to avoid such scenes but at times it becomes imperative to do it because the situation demands it," Mammootty said at the event.
"From now on I will do my best to avoid such scenes which depict liquor or liquor imposed scenes," added Mammootty, the top actor of the Malayalam film industry for two decades.
Pointing to director Priyadarshan at the event, Mammootty said: "You have to ask people like him (Priyadarshan) because they ask us to do this and that. But let me tell you, I will do my best to do away with such scenes."
Chandy said people should try to rid Kerala of the tag of being India's largest liquor consumer.
"Not long ago Kerala was known for the huge strides it made in literacy and its health status. But of late it has taken a back seat and we are now known as the top liquor consuming state.
"This has to change. We hope that promotional material like this (Mammootty's documentary) will do us a world of good," the chief minister said.
According to a report, liquor sales rose to all time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore in 2010-11 from Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10. (IANS)
While his Annan Thampi is breaking all collection records in theatres across Kerala, Mammootty has started work on his next movie Parunthu on May 12 in Kozhikode.
The film, produced by Howly Pottur under the banner of Dream Team Productions is expected to be another hit from Mammootty. M. Padmakumar, who has earlier directed movies like Vaastavam, Vargam and Ammakkilikoodu, is the director; the script and dialogue are by T.A. Razaq.
Jayasurya plays an important role alongside Mammootty who plays a ruthless money lender named Gillette Purushothaman. Jayasurya had earlier acted with Mammootty in Bus Conductor.
Lakshmi Rai, Navneet Kaur and Roma are the female leads. Kalabhavan Mani also has a significant role. The film is scheduled for a July 11 release.
After a long time Kalabhavan Mani is again appearing in a full stretch role with Mammootty in Nasrani. The film directed by Joshy will have Mani playing Sukumaran, the close pal and driver of David John Kottaram, the character played by Mammootty.
Mani has infact, even avoided a Telugu film to arrange his date to appear with Mammootty. The actor has been earlier seen with Mammootty in films like Raakshasa Raajavu, Daada Saheb and was even presented in Tamil through a Mammootty film, Marumalarchi.
The film is being shot in a fast pace in and around Chalakkudy, Kottayam and Kochi to reach the release centres by Onam.
2012/2/17 6:53:37 The anti Corruption Bureau has appointed a Special Investigation Team to deal with the liquor syndicate issue in the State.
According to sources, the SIT would have 11 senior officials led by Additional Director Srinivasa Rao to probe into the activities of liquor syndicate in the State. (INN)
Padmakumar, who rendered pulsating action films with Prithviraj in the lead roles, will now direct Mammootty.
Mammootty plays the main role in a film to be directed by Padma Kumar and produced by Howli Potter. The film has script by T A Razaak.
Mammootty plays the role of Theepetti Chandran in the film. Mammootty will also be shooting for Pazhassi Raja which brings together M T Vasudeva Nair and Hariharan.
Mammootty after presenting one of his career best hits in ‘Annan Thambi’ will join the sets of his new film 'Parunthu' today. Directed by M. Padmakumar and featuring Jayasuriya, Navaneet Kaur, Roma and Lakshmi Rai, the movie will tell the story of a greedy 'Gillette Purushothaman' who is a hard hearted money lender.
Scripted by T A Razaq, the movie had been in the discussions for quite a while. The team of T A Razaq and M Padmakumar had been with a project with Mammootty for the last couple of years.
Earlier they arrived at a plot in the title ‘Rickshakaran’, which didn't materialize due to its subject showing resemblances to some of the recent movies. There after the writer and director sat for long to pen another that suits the
present day image and charisma of Mammootty. Produced Howly Pottur under the banner of Dream Team Productions, ‘Parunthu’ will be an August release, most probably for this Onam.
Mammootty appears to be hurt by reports that say he "slapped" a fan while taking part in a promo of his latest film, "Roudram", at Malappuram last week.
"Will I do such a thing?" Mammootty asked.
"I could sense that the passion was running high when I arrived for the promo because my new film was running in several theatres across north Kerala. The fans were excited to see me and for me, fans mean everything.
Seeing the mood and the fervour of my fans, I opened the roof of my car and stood up," Mammootty recalled.
"As soon as I stood up, fans rushed to my moving car and wanted to touch me.
Isn't it a natural thing to happen? Stars are often mobbed. But soon I noticed that things were moving out of control and people were coming closer to my car. I was really concerned about the safety of those who were near my car and I started warning them," Mammootty said.
The organisers of the promotional clip, the Malappuram district wing of All Kerala Mammootty Fans' Association,in a statement said their superstar sensed that the crowd in their frenzy to touch him came so close to the vehicle that he had to warn them to keep a safe distance, out of concern for their safety.
"Roudram" has been hogging headlines ever since shooting began last year because it featured Mammootty as a cop for the 25th time in his 30-year-old career in movies.
The moving is doing well at the box office and is on its way to becoming yet another hit, for the hardworking superstar who continues to be the "numero uno" in the Malayalam film industry.
Southern superstar Mammootty appears to be hurt by reports that say he 'slapped' a fan while taking part in a promo of his latest film, 'Roudram', at Malappuram last week.
'Will I do such a thing?' Mammootty asked when IANS sought his reaction.
'I could sense that the passion was running high when I arrived for the promo because my new film was running in several theatres across north Kerala. The fans were excited to see me and for me, fans mean everything. Seeing the mood and the fervour of my fans, I opened the roof of my car and stood up,' Mammootty recalled.
'As soon as I stood up, fans rushed to my moving car and wanted to touch me. Isn't it a natural thing to happen? Stars are often mobbed. But soon I noticed that things were moving out of control and people were coming closer to my car. I was really concerned about the safety of those who were near my car and I started warning them,' Mammootty said.
The organisers of the promotional clip, the Malappuram district wing of All Kerala Mammootty Fans' Association, in a statement said their superstar sensed that the crowd in their frenzy to touch him came so close to the vehicle that he had to warn them to keep a safe distance, out of concern for their safety.
'Roudram' has been hogging headlines ever since shooting began last year because it featured Mammootty as a cop for the 25th time in his 30-year-old career in movies.
The moving is doing well at the box office and is on its way to becoming yet another hit, for the hardworking superstar who continues to be the 'numero uno' in the Malayalam film industry.
Mammootty’s much-talked-about film with director Anwar Rasheed has been titled Annan Thampi. Mammootty plays the role of two brothers in the film; maybe that’s the reason why Rasheed chose this title. Marikkar Films will produce the movie with a script by Naayarambalam. Rahul Raj helms the music.
Mammootty appeared in dual roles last year in Balaram vs. Taradas by I.V. Sasi. Mammootty, who is currently busy with Renji Panikkar’s Rudram, will begin the shooting of Katha Parayumpol soon. The film is being produced by Mukesh and Sreenivasan under the banner of Lumiere Films.
Malayalam Megastar Mammootty has set a record of acting in at least 10 films on his own identity as a film star’. Film circles say no other actor has acted in so many films as film actor.
He is now preparing to act once again the role of superstar Mammootty in Prithviraj-starrer film, `One Way Ticket’.
His most well known role as superstar is in the hit film, Katha Parayumbol, which is being remade as Kuselan in Tamil. The role of a busy big star who happens to be a boyhood chum of a barber (Srinivasan) remains green in cinema viewers’ memory. But, the most interesting was the scene in No.20 Madras Mail directed by Joshi. In this flick, Mammootty appears as Mammootty, the big star, traveling in a train. He is courted by a drunken stranger, but a fan (Mohanlal). Mohanlal puts up an incredible acting in the role of an innocent but a wonderstruck fan blabbering in a drunker stupor to Mammootty, the megastar. Without betraying his annoyance, Mammootty, braves the drunken fan’s intrusion.
In Balachandra Menon film `Chiriyo Chiri, Lenin Rajendran’s `Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla’, Hariharan’s Prempoojari, K.G.George’s `Lekhayude Maranam oru flashback’ are others. In Azakhiya Ravanan film Mammootty’s a film maker. In Mutharamkuttu PO Mammootty is presented obliquely. His voice is read out in letters. In Vinayan’s Boyfriends Mammootty is presented by dupes. All this apart, in Rasikan film Mammootty and Mohanlal become a cause for two fans’ fights—one backing Lal and the other, Mammooty.
2011/12/21 16:37:42 The activists of Communist Party of India on Wednesday staged a dharna before the Excise Department office demanding stern action against those involved in the liquor syndicate.
CPI State Secretary M Narayana, who led the protest, told reporters that the State Government should not shield anyone involved in the liquor syndicate. He demanded that the government disclose the contents of the reports of Anti Corruption Bureau's raids on the liquor syndicate.
Narayana asked the government to take action against the liquor syndicates across the State as they have been fleecing the common man by charging exorbitant rates. He also demanded that the government release a White Paper on the issue. (INN)
2011/12/19 1:24:45 The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation into the liquor scam in the state.Addressing a press conference at district party office, TDP MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao demanded that the government register cases against those Ministers for their alleged involvement in the liquor mafia.He said the CBI probe into excise-police-political nexus would come up with complete details and reveal more names in a couple of days.
He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) searches at the offices of liquor syndicates in several parts of the state have revealed the nexus between the Ministers and liquor syndicate.
He suspected that the family members of Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana might have been involved in the liquor syndicate. He demanded the ACB officials to reveal the documents which were seized during the raids in the state.
Meanwhile the Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana demanded that the government order CB-CID probe into liquor scam in the State (INN).
2011/12/19 9:55:27 Demanding removal of ministers having alleged nexus with the liquor mafia, the Telugu Desam Party on Monday staged a dharna at Gollapudi on the National Highway No 9 disrupting the traffic.
Leading the agitation, MLA Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao demanded that the government disclose the details of report of raids by the Anti Corruption Bureau on the liquor syndicate last week. Asking the government to initiate action against those Ministers for their alleged involvement, he alleged that one-third of the cabinet ministers might be involved in the liquor scam. He also alleged that the family members of Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana were having a nexus with the liquor mafia.
Devineni alleged that the liquor syndicate in collusion with the ministers was selling the liquor at higher price in shops violating the MRP and other norms fixed by the government. He demanded that the Chief Minister give an explanation over the issue to clear the doubts among people.
The TDP activists also burnt effigy of the State Government during the protest. (INN)
2011/12/20 17:32:10 Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh on Tuesday stated that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was considering to make a special law to check irregularities in the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons after participating in a programme, Venkatesh said that the Chief Minister would soon convene a meeting to discuss the new law. He also announced that the contents of the report of the Anti Corruption Bureau would be made public. The government would disclose the names of politicians, officials, police and journalists, whose names figured in the receiving kickbacks from the liquor syndicate, he said.
The Minister said that the government would deal with the liquor mafia with a firm hand under the new law and nobody, irrespective of their position, would be spared if found guilty. He also suspected the involvement of leaders of all political parties in the liquor scam. (INN)
The state excise department plans to enforce a new rule wherein those below 21 years of age will not be allowed to buy liquor or consume the same in pubic places like pubs bars and restaurants.
At present this e below 18 years of age are barred from buying liquor. But the rule is never enforced and one can see several youngsters who are just 14 or 15 years buying and consuming liquor.
This time however the excise department is firm that it will enforce the new rule. The consumption of liquor by youngsters is seen towns and cities. Students staying in hostels and private accommodation are most likely to consume liquor in the absence of adult supervision.
The excise department plans to impose a fine of Rs. 1,000 on those found violating the rule. If the rule is violated a second time then they could face imprisonment.
Speaking at the DYFI conference, Mammootty said, "If communist organizations like DYFI had been in Gujarat, atrocities in name of religion would not have taken place." This very comment has sparked protest against him from political outfits. For this reason, police security has been given to him.
This statement did not go down well with the BJP and the RSS. The Congress had other problems. If prominent stars like Mammootty take part in conventions like DYFI, it will strengthen the ruling Marxist party and spell doom for the Congress to come to power. So, they framed a case on Mammootty that he had illegally appropriated government lands.
Following dissatisfaction by BJP and RSS, the police said that Mammootty's life is under threat. So, his Ernakulam house is given police protection.
At present, Mammootty is in Kannur for the shooting of Pazhassi Raja. A group of protestors damaged a hotel where the film crew is staying, thinking that Mammootty is put up there. Cars were smashed and filming equipment and vans were destroyed. It is surmised that this could be the work of Hindutva groups who could not tolerate Mammootty's remarks on Gujarat.
Following this incident, Mammootty has been given police protection.
Mammootty always makes a difference in his all steps. Now, what he has done reveals his sense of commitment and responsibility. The actor has utilized the dates earmarked for Pazhassi Raja, to complete another movie called One way Ticket, since the shooting of Pazhassi Raja was delayed due to the tension caused by the issues on the Hokkenekkal project in Karnataka. The result? Everybody is happy!
Utilizing the dates, Mammootty has totally completed his small part playing himself as Superstar for One way Ticket directed by Bipin Prabhakar. This is the second time that Mammootty appears himself as a superstar after Katha Parayumpol.
One Way Ticket is a story of crazy fans who dare to go any extent to promote the movies of their screen idols. The film features Prithviraj as Kunjali, a poor educated jeep driver, a crazy fan of the superstar. The movie depicts the interesting events in the life of Kunjali.
Recently, a scene in the upcoming Mammootty movie Parunthu was shot to show Kunjali meeting the star in one of his film sets. This was the first time in Malayalam films where an original scene of a movie is shot for being used in another movie. (Similar scenes were earlier shot for the Hindi film Guddi.)
Pretty Bollywood heroine Tulip Joshi is no stranger to cinema in the south. The model-turned-actress made a sensational debut in a Telugu movie titled ‘Villain’ and attracted attention. Now, Tulip has landed a prestigious role in her maiden appearance in a Malayalam film titled ‘Mission 90 Days’.
It is a plum role against megastar of Malayalam movies, Mammootty . She plays the wife of Mammootty who is a commando. The film will be directed by Major Ravi, who made Keerthichakra with Mohanlal Shooting for the film, says the grapevine, will start soon in Chennai. Let us hope Tulip’s Malayalam debut will be as good as was her splash in Tollywood.
Sneha will be seen sharing screen space with Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the upcoming bilingual film, Vande Matheram (Aruvadai in Tamil), directed by T. Aravind, produced by Henry under the banner of Pankaj Productions. Thuruppu Gulan, her last Malayalam film with Mammootty, was a big hit.
Reportedly, the actress has been roped in for yet another Mammootty starrer, to be directed by M. Padmakumar and produced by Howly Pottur under the banner of Dream Team Productions.
Sneha will be seen sharing screen space with Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the upcoming bilingual film, Vande Matheram (Aruvadai in Tamil), directed by T. Aravind, produced by Henry under the banner of Pankaj Productions. Thuruppu Gulan, her last Malayalam film with Mammootty, was a big hit.
Reportedly, the actress has been roped in for yet another Mammootty starrer, to be directed by M. Padmakumar and produced by Howly Pottur under the banner of Dream Team Productions.
Scriptwriter turned director Renji Panikkar who has just started shooting for his Mammootty starrer has changed the tile of the film. The film which was earlier titled as Raudram will now be called as Shauyram.
The film which is another critique of social events is very crucial for Mammootty, who is in quite confusion after two debacles of his recent movies. Shauyram is produced by Marikkar films who are celebrating the success of their first two ventures- Big B and hello. The film is planned as a release for mid November.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
The activists of Communist Party of India on Wednesday staged a dharna before the Excise Department office demanding stern action against those involved in the liquor syndicate.
The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation into the liquor scam in the state.Addressing a press conference at district party office, TDP MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao demanded that the government register cases against those Ministers for their alleged involvement in the liquor mafia.He said the CBI probe into excise-police-political nexus would come up with complete details and reveal more names in a couple of days.
