September 22, 2026: If you thought living legends slow down with age, Malayalam cinema’s eternal icon Mammootty is here to rewrite the rulebook. At the grand 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held on Tuesday at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, against the majestic backdrop of the Statue of Unity, the superstar walked up to President Droupadi Murmu to collect yet another career-defining trophy. This time, it was for his bone-chilling, masterclass performance as Kodumon Potti in the psychological horror thriller Bramayugam.
Speaking with a radiant warmth on the red carpet with DD National ahead of the ceremony, Mammootty reflected on what this heavy piece of metal means to him after decades in the spotlight. True to his grounded nature, he didn’t just bask in the personal glory; he shared the spotlight with everyone who shaped his path.
“It’s an inspiration to every performer to get recognised by the nation, and luckily I’m very fortunate to have my fourth National Award for the Best Actor,” he shared. He lovingly credited the village behind his success—his directors, writers, co-stars, producers, and the devoted fans who have kept him going for generations. “I’m very happy that I could entertain them for such a long time and hope that I can do it more, more, and more times. I can only assure you that I’ll be working very hard to be there,” he promised.
Mammootty Joins Bachchan in the History Books at 72nd National Film Awards
This win is a monumental milestone for the history books. It marks Mammootty’s fourth Best Actor National Award, pulling him level with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the most wins in this ultra-competitive category. For context, Bachchan holds his four trophies for Agneepath, Black, Paa, and Piku. Meanwhile, Mammootty’s legendary prior victories include his dual win for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal at the 37th edition, followed by Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan, and later his unforgettable portrayal in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
What makes this latest victory so cinematic is the sheer timeline, it arrives a staggering 28 years after his last Best Actor win. Sharing this year’s top acting honor with Kartik Aaryan (who won for Chandu Champion), Mammootty proved once again that true artistry transcends age, language, and genre, leaving fans eagerly waiting to see what magic he summons next.