Kamal Haasan has publicly congratulated Mammootty on being conferred the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor. The announcement of the Padma Awards 2026, which includes 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, was made on the eve of Republic Day. Mammootty's recognition comes for his distinguished service in the field of art.
In a heartfelt note shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Kamal Haasan referred to Mammootty as his "dear friend". He expressed that despite never having worked together in a film, they have maintained a close friendship over the years, cherishing and critiquing each other's work from afar. Haasan likened their relationship to that of "Kopperuncholayar Pisiranthaiyar," emphasizing the deep bond they share.
Haasan also conveyed a sense of longing for more personal interactions, stating that they "both could have met in person a little more often". He went on to express his admiration for Mammootty, confessing to being a "lifelong fan". Furthermore, Haasan shared an expectation from his own fans, hoping that they would also become fans of Mammootty.
Concluding his message, Haasan added, "My friend Mammootty has now become Padma Bhushan Mammootty. Congratulations to my friend".
Mammootty, who is 74 years old, expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating that he was "very happy" and that there is "nothing greater than the country honouring one". He described the award as "unexpected". The actor's career spans over five decades with more than 400 films in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and other Indian languages.
The Padma Bhushan is awarded for "distinguished service of a high order". Mammootty's extensive filmography includes roles in commercial and independent cinema. He has won three National Film Awards for Best Actor. In 1998, he was awarded the Padma Shri.
The announcement of the Padma Bhushan coincided with Mammootty's recognition at the Kerala State Film Awards, where he was about to receive his ninth award for Best Actor for his performance in "Bramayugam" (2024).
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Culture Minister Saji Cherian congratulated Mammootty at the Kerala State Film Awards ceremony. Vijayan noted that the Kerala cabinet has been recommending Mammootty for the award for several years and that "no one in the history of Indian cinema has performed such diverse characters as he has".
In related news, Mammootty is preparing for his next film, "Patriot," which also features Mohanlal, scheduled to release on April 23, 2026. Kamal Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam's "Thug Life" and is preparing for "KH 237," directed by Anbarivu.
