KOCHI: The 70th Filmfare Awards South, held in Kochi in association with Kerala Tourism, witnessed an unforgettable and heartwarming moment courtesy of Malayalam megastar Mammootty. After winning the prestigious Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Malayalam award for his phenomenal performance in ‘Bramayugam’, the legendary actor won the hearts of the audience with his humble gesture towards his younger colleagues.
Upon receiving the award, Mammootty invited his fellow Best Actor nominees, young stars Asif Ali and Basil Joseph, to join him on the stage. “They are not below me in any way, please come…” the actor affectionately called out to them. As the duo walked up to the stage, Mammootty warmly embraced them, sending the crowd into thunderous applause.
Showcasing his trademark wit, Mammootty cracked a lighthearted joke about his win. “Even though both of them are young and handsome, she (the award) chose to stand with me,” he quipped. However, he quickly followed it up by praising the immense talent of both actors, stating that they are absolutely on par with him and that he just happened to receive the accolade this time.
The veteran actor also took a moment to appreciate the spectacular performances of his co-stars in ‘Bramayugam’. Generously sharing his physical award trophy with Asif and Basil on stage, Mammootty wished them both a future filled with many more such accolades.
This beautiful gesture of a senior actor publicly acknowledging and lifting up the younger generation of talents easily became one of the brightest highlights of the star-studded Filmfare night.
