"That Innocent Smile Never Fades Away, Will Remain In My Heart Forever": Mohanlal Remembers Mamukkoya

Superstar Mohanlal said that the demise of actor Mamukkoya is great loss to Malayalam cinema. Mamukoya was a man full of goodness without pretensions. That innocent smile will never fade away and will remain in my heart forever. Said Mohanlal in his condolence note shared on social media.

"Beloved Mamukoya was a man full of goodness without pretensions. This unique talent presented the Malabar style on the silver screen in a very natural way. I have been lucky enough to act together in so many films, from the movie 'Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam" to the recent film directed by Priyadarshan, 'Olamvum Theeravum'. That innocent smile will never fade away and will remain in my heart forever. It is a great loss to Malayalam cinema, and I offer my condolences on his demise." Mohanlal said.

Mamukkoya, a character actor and a comedian in Malayalam cinema, died today at the age of 76. He felt unwell while inaugurating the Malappuram Poongode Sevens Football Tournament and was admitted to a private hospital in Malappuram's Wandoor on Monday due to a heart attack. Then shifted to a hospital in Kozhikode. He died at 1.05 p.m. while undergoing treatment there. In addition to the heart attack, his health condition worsened when he suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Mamukkoya is most notable for presenting dialogues that clash against the social system in different ways. Those timeless dialogues, simple and snappy, became the identity of Mamukkoya's screen persona.

Mamukkoya has created numerous characters with humorous dialogue that is sharp like a razor. tea vendor and amateur drama actor in the film "Manthramothiram," 'Keeleri Achu' from the film 'Kanketuu', 'Gafurka' from the film 'Nadodikkattu', the politician 'K. G. Phuduwal' in 'Sandesham', the money lender in 'Chandralekha', the policeman in 'Kalikkalam', 'Jamal' in 'His Highness Abdullah', and the security man in 'Oppam' are a few examples.

Mamukoya's roles in many films like 'Ramji Rao Speaking', 'Thalayana Manthram', 'Shubhayathra', 'Irupatham Noottandu', 'Sreedharante Onnam Thirumuriv', 'Ponmuttayidunna Thaaravu', 'Pattanapravesham' and 'Dhwani' are also very notable. Although he is one of the few actors who can act naturally, he often appeared in comedic roles. Mamukoya's style of acting was simple and honest.

Mamukkoya was a native of Kozhikode. A brilliant artist who spoke the dialect of Kozhikode or the Malabar region and popularised it through his characters in movies. He came to cinema through drama and performed well in comedy roles and character roles. He was active in the cultural associations in Kozhikode.

Mamukoya's life views had the depth of seeing, hearing, and experiencing the literary and cultural life of Kozhikode in an era. He had very close friendships with legendary cultural figures like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, S. K. Pottekkatt, M.S. Baburaj, and others. Mamukoya's role in real life was not that of a comic character like in the films but of a serious social observer who carefully assesses contemporary developments and has precise and clear views on them. He never hesitated to voice his social, religious, and political opinions and differences.

The unique Kozhikode style of speaking added to his acting. Meanwhile, actor Mamukkoya always loved theater more than cinema. He acted in prominent dramas like 'Efrith Rajnji', 'Wambatti Nee Aanu Pennu', 'Mochanam', 'Guha', 'Mrigashala' and 'kudukkukal'.

He was born on July 5, 1946 as the son of Mammad and Impichi Ayesha in Pallikandi, Kozhikode. His wife is Suhra. Children: Muhammad Nisar, Shahida, Nadia, Abdul Rasheed.