‘For me, Mammootty was like Jesus Christ coming into the world: P. Sreekumar reveals why he chooses Mammootty over Mohanlal, recalls support during financial crisis
Actor, screenwriter, director and producer P. Sreekumar has spoken about his longstanding friendship with Malayalam cinema stars Mammootty and Mohanlal. While he shares a close relationship with both actors, P. Sreekumar said his personal preference is Mammootty. Speaking in an interview with Can Media, P. Sreekumar explained why he feels particularly connected to Mammootty.
P. Sreekumar says Mammootty changed his life
P. Sreekumar said his relationship with Mammootty goes beyond friendship. He credited the actor with playing an important role during a difficult period in his life.“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. However, Mohanlal is like my own younger brother. He cooperates with me very well, loves me and helps me.”
Mohanlal helped P. Sreekumar during his daughter’s wedding
P. Sreekumar also recalled the close bond he shares with Mohanlal. According to him, their friendship allows them to speak openly about personal matters.“Mohanlal and I discuss everything. When I go to act with him, there is no boundary saying that I can only go this far. Wherever I am and however I am sitting, he calls me and makes me sit beside him. He gives me complete love and freedom. Mohanlal also financially helped me during my daughter’s wedding,” P. Sreekumar said.
Mammootty stood by him during financial crisis
P. Sreekumar then remembered a particularly challenging stage of his career. He said he suffered major financial setbacks after making his first two films. The situation became serious enough that he considered commercial cinema as a way to recover. He was also living in a rented house at the time.“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.’”
‘Vishnu’ helped P. Sreekumar rebuild his life
P. Sreekumar said Mammootty’s involvement in ‘Vishnu’ was intended to help him overcome his financial difficulties. He recalled that Mammootty wanted him to earn 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.”P. Sreekumar also remembered a disagreement involving the climax of ‘Vishnu’. He said the issue concerned the scene in which Mammootty’s character is hanged.“There was a difference of opinion towards the end of the film, at the scene where Mammootty is hanged. Still, the film managed to come through.”
Mammootty’s support led P. Sreekumar towards acting
P. Sreekumar believes ‘Vishnu’ became an important turning point in his professional journey. The experience helped him recover financially and eventually encouraged him to focus more on acting.“It was after that that I turned towards acting, started making money and bought back the things I had lost.” He then offered his most emotional description of Mammootty’s role in his life.“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.”The actor has worked in film and television during his career. He has appeared in more than 150 movies and has also been involved in filmmaking in different capacities. On the other hand, Mammootty and Mohanlal recently appeared together in ‘Patriot,’ which received mixed reviews.
