Veteran actor, screenwriter, director, and producer P. Sreekumar has openly discussed his profound relationships with two titans of Malayalam cinema, Mammootty and Mohanlal. While acknowledging a deep bond with both iconic figures, Sreekumar unequivocally states his personal preference for Mammootty, attributing a pivotal role to him during a critical juncture in his life. In a candid interview with Can Media, Sreekumar elucidated the reasons behind this strong connection.
Sreekumar emphasized that his relationship with Mammootty transcends mere friendship, describing it as a transformative influence. He credits Mammootty with fundamentally altering the trajectory of his life during a period of immense hardship. When directly asked to choose between the two superstars, Sreekumar’s response is immediate and unwavering: “If you ask me whether I like Mammootty more or Mohanlal more, I would naturally choose Mammootty. There is no point in asking me that question. Mammootty is the person who changed the course of my life.” He further clarified his affection for Mohanlal, stating, “However, Mohanlal is like my own younger brother. He cooperates with me very well, loves me and helps me.”
Sreekumar also fondly recalled the profound camaraderie he shares with Mohanlal. Their friendship, he noted, is characterized by an openness that allows for frank discussions on all matters. He illustrated this by recounting how Mohanlal ensures his comfort and includes him in conversations, treating him with immense love and respect on set. He specifically highlighted Mohanlal’s financial assistance during his daughter’s wedding, a gesture that underscored the depth of their bond.
The most poignant revelation came as Sreekumar recounted a particularly challenging period in his career. After directing his first two films, he found himself in a dire financial predicament, facing severe setbacks that left him contemplating making a commercial film purely for survival. He was living in a rented house, and the situation seemed bleak. It was at this critical juncture that Mammootty intervened. Sreekumar vividly recalled, “I had become financially devastated after making my first two films. I had reached a situation where I had to make a commercial film just to survive. I was living in a rented house. It was at that point that Mammootty learned about my situation, called me and said, ‘I will give you a date. Make a film.’ That film was ‘Vishnu’. He arranged everything. He was the one who saved us.'”
Mammootty’s involvement in the film ‘Vishnu’ was not merely a professional collaboration; it was a lifeline. Sreekumar emphasized that Mammootty’s explicit intention was to help him overcome his financial woes, ensuring he earned enough from the project to rebuild his life. “His intention was that I should make some money from the film and build a house. He did it thinking that I should come out of that difficult situation. It happened exactly as he had intended. We managed to recover,” Sreekumar affirmed, expressing profound gratitude for Mammootty’s strategic and compassionate intervention. He also reminisced about a minor disagreement concerning the climax of ‘Vishnu,’ specifically the scene where Mammootty’s character is hanged, yet acknowledged that despite this, the film ultimately succeeded.
Sreekumar firmly believes that ‘Vishnu’ marked a significant turning point in his professional journey. The financial recovery it facilitated eventually propelled him towards focusing more on his acting career. “It was after that that I turned towards acting, started making money and bought back the things I had lost,” he stated. His emotional gratitude culminated in a powerful statement, likening Mammootty’s timely assistance to a divine intervention: “For me, Mammootty was like Jesus Christ coming into the world, placing his hand on my head and blessing me. Mammootty has helped me whenever I needed it.”
Throughout his extensive career, P. Sreekumar has contributed significantly to both film and television, appearing in over 150 movies and engaging in various filmmaking capacities. The enduring respect and admiration he holds for Mammootty and Mohanlal continue to be a testament to the strong bonds forged within the Malayalam film industry. Interestingly, Mammootty and Mohanlal recently shared the screen in the film ‘Patriot,’ which garnered a mixed reception from audiences and critics alike.