Like many actor Manoj Bajpayee admires the legacy of Malayalam cinema’s biggest stars, Mohanlal and Mammootty.
In a recent media interaction the actor opened up at length on how the two icons represent contrasting yet equally powerful schools of acting.
Two Legends, Two Distinct Schools Of Acting
In the midst of the conversation, Manoj Bajpayee observed that Mohanlal and Mammootty approach their craft from very different places, likening them to the dynamic amid Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri, and even to Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Explaining the Hollywood parallel, Bajpayee said that
De Niro has the habit of understanding his characters well, but will always be “ready to grasp anything that comes to him at the last minute”, while Al Pacino, according to him, believes deeply in rehearsals and arrives on set fully prepared.
Drawing the connection back to Malayalam cinema, Bajpayee described Mohanlal in glowing terms, adding that Mohanlal is someone who knows his script backwards; he thinks after that, he must be living it, and he is ready with each and every nuance.” He added that Mammootty, on the other hand, is “a true craftsman.”
Manoj Bajpayee went on to single out Mammootty’s recent work in Rahul Sadasivan’s horror film Bramayugam, calling it one of his favourite performances. Expressing sheer awe, he said, “Bramayugam! My goodness! You cannot carry a film if your craft is not of that level.”
The actor also revealed that his admiration for Malayalam cinema goes back to his formative years. He confessed that he has been following the industry since his youth, even choosing to watch Malayalam films so that he could take up a volunteer job at a film festival.
Meanwhile, Mohanlal is mourning the loss of his mother, Santhakumari. She died in Kochi on December 30.
News Edit KV Raman
