Fondly called ‘Mammukka’ by his fans and those close to him, the 74-year-old actor described the award as ‘unexpected’.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan on Sunday, said he was “very happy” and that there was “nothing greater than the country honouring one”.
Fondly called ‘Mammukka’ by his fans and those close to him, the 74-year-old actor described the award as “unexpected” while speaking to a TV channel.
Wishes poured in on social media as news spread about the honour, which was conferred on Mammootty for his contributions to the field of art. “My friend Mammootty has now become Padma Bhushan Mammootty. Congratulations to my friend,” actor-politician Kamal Haasan wrote on X.
“Congratulations, Mammukka! And thank you for showing us how boundaries are broken, and challenges are taken up with a smile! You’re our pride and one of a kind,” actress Manju Warrier wrote in a Facebook post.
Later, at the Kerala State Film Awards ceremony, Mammootty was congratulated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Culture Minister Saji Cherian. In his address at the event, Vijayan said Mammootty had been honoured by the country with the Padma Bhushan.
“The Kerala cabinet is happy it could take part in this joyous development, as we have been recommending him for the award for the past several years. Everything has its time. Heartfelt congratulations to him. No one in the history of Indian cinema has performed such diverse characters as he has,” the Chief Minister said.
Mammootty has acted in over 400 films across languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English, in a career spanning more than five decades.
He is a recipient of three National Awards, several state awards, and two honorary doctorates, apart from Padma Shri.
Mammootty made his film debut in 1971 with Anubhavangal Paalichakal. His most recent big-screen outing was Kalamkaval.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home / by The Telegraph, Entertainment Web Desk / January 26th, 2026
Muslim Mirror’s 100 Most Influential Muslims of 2025
New Delhi:
Muslim Mirror has released its much-anticipated annual list of the “100 Most Influential Indian Muslims of 2025,” spotlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to India’s public life across a wide spectrum of fields including politics, culture, education, business, media, religion, sports, and social service. Now in its second edition, the list aims to document influence not merely as power or popularity, but as sustained impact, leadership, and the ability to shape public discourse.
A defining feature of the 2025 edition is the growing prominence of younger achievers, signalling a visible generational shift within Indian Muslim leadership. Alongside established national figures, the list includes emerging voices who have built influence through grassroots activism, professional excellence, digital platforms, legal advocacy, education, and community engagement. Editors associated with the project said this was a deliberate attempt to recognise new centres of influence beyond traditional hierarchies.
The list reflects the diversity and plural character of Indian Muslim society, cutting across geography, ideology, profession, and language. From seasoned politicians and religious scholars to artists, entrepreneurs, academics, and social reformers, the compilation offers a broad snapshot of leadership trends at a time when issues of representation, constitutional values, and social justice remain central to national debate.
Representation Across Sectors
The 2025 list features several eminent academicians and intellectuals who have shaped higher education, policy discourse, and social research. Among them are Abul Qasim Nomani, Ameerullah Khan, Furqan Qamar, Shahid Jamil, and Ubaid-ur-Rahman, recognised for their contributions to education, public policy, and academic leadership.
In the business and entrepreneurship category, the list includes influential names such as Azad Moopan, Azim Hashim Premji, Farah Malik, Irfan Razack, M. P. Ahammed, Mecca Rafiq Ahmed, Meraj Manal, Syed Mohamed Beary, P. Mohammed Ali, Shahnaz Hussain, Tausif Ahmad Mirza, Yusuff Ali, and Ziaullah Sharif. Their inclusion underlines the growing economic footprint of Indian Muslim entrepreneurs, both domestically and globally, spanning sectors from retail and healthcare to infrastructure and consumer goods.
Community leadership remains a strong pillar of the list, with figures such as Arshad Madani, Mahmood Madani, Malik Motasim Khan, Mehmood Pracha, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, Navaid Hamid, Pirzada Md Abbas Siddiqui, Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Sadatullah Husaini, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, and Yusuf Mohamed Abrahani recognised for their roles in religious guidance, legal advocacy, social mobilisation, and institutional leadership.
Culture, Media, and Public Discourse
In arts and entertainment, globally recognised names such as A. R. Rahman, Aamir Khan, Mammootty, Munawar Faruqui, and Shah Rukh Khan continue to command immense cultural influence, shaping narratives that extend well beyond cinema and music into social consciousness.
The list also acknowledges the growing importance of media and journalism in shaping opinion and challenging dominant narratives. Journalists and commentators such as Arfa Khanam, Irfan Meraj, and Seema Mustafa are recognised for their consistent engagement with issues of democracy, minority rights, and constitutional values.
Religious and Intellectual Scholarship
A significant section of the list is devoted to Islamic scholars and religious thinkers, reflecting their continued influence on moral leadership and intellectual discourse. Names such as A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar, Qasim Nomani, Prof. Akhtarul Wase, Asghar Ali Imam Mahdi Salafi, Asjad Raza Khan, Ibraheem Khaleel Al-Bukhari, Javed Jamil, Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Khaleelur Rahman Sajjad Nomani, Qamaruzzaman Azmi, Rashid Shaz, Shakir Ali Noori, Shamail Nadvi, and Yasoob Abbas find place for their scholarly work, writings, and public engagement.
Politics and Governance
The political category features leaders cutting across party lines and regions, including Asaduddin Owaisi, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hamid Ansari, Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, Salman Khurshid, Najeeb Jung, Syed Naseer Hussain, Engineer Rashid, Akhtarul Iman, Iqra Hasan, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rakibul Hasan, K. Rahman Khan, Kadir Mohideen, Mohibullah Nadvi, Md Shafi, Agha Mahadi, Asim Waqar, and Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal. Their inclusion reflects influence exercised through electoral politics, governance, diplomacy, and legislative advocacy.
Changemakers and Social Reformers
One of the most dynamic sections of the 2025 list is that of changemakers and social reformers, featuring individuals such as Safeena Husain, Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, Syeda Hameed, Zameer Uddin Shah, Mahbubul Hoque, Sabahat S. Azim, Mehmood Pracha, Faiz Syed, and Zahir Ishaq Kazi, among others. Many of these figures have earned recognition through long-term grassroots work rather than formal authority.
International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq for Heart Lamp, along with renowned poet Wasim Barelvi, has been placed in the category of Literary Figures.
In sports, iconic names Sania Mirza and Irfan Pathan continue to inspire younger generations through excellence and public engagement beyond the playing field.
Beyond Rankings
The editors emphasised that the list does not claim to be exhaustive, nor does it measure influence solely through fame, wealth, or official position. Instead, it seeks to capture real-world impact, moral authority, intellectual contribution, and the ability to shape conversations within and outside the community.
The annual list has increasingly become a reference point for understanding evolving leadership patterns among Indian Muslims. By foregrounding both established figures and rising talents, the 2025 edition reflects continuity as well as change, underscoring how Indian Muslims continue to contribute meaningfully to India’s democratic, cultural, and social field.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Muslim Mirror / January 15th, 2026
Huma Qureshi is paired with Mammootty in ‘White’, a movie about a peculiar relationship between the two.
Actor Huma Qureshi, who is all set to debut in South India with her Malayalam film White, says she is glad that her debut in southern cinema is with superstar Mammootty and nobody else.
Talking about Mammootty, Huma told IANS: “I am glad that my south debut was with him and nobody else.”
How was her experience working with the Manglish star?
“Mammootty is a thorough gentleman. I got to learn a lot under him of course he’s an acting legend so it was an intimidating thought but he made it very easy to work with him,” said the 29-year-old.
The Badlapur actor added that Mammootty helped her “with the language and was extremely supportive”.
Directed by Uday Ananthan and produced by Eros International, the film has been shot extensively in London, Mumbai and Kochi.
In the film, Huma plays Roshni Menon, a software engineer who moves to London on an overseas assignment. There, things change unexpectedly when Prakash Roy (Mammootty), a billionaire enters her life. Prakash and Roshni’s peculiar, yet charming relationship is what takes the story of Whiteforward.
Apart from them, the film also stars Shankar Ramakrishnan, Siddique, Sunil Sugadha, Ahmad Siddique, Manjulika, Sona Nair and KPAC Lalita.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment / IANS / New Delhi – April 06th, 2016
