Friendship Day special: When Mohanlal prayed for Mammootty at Sabarimala; A bond beyond cinema

On this Friendship Day, it’s only fitting to revisit one of the most cherished relationships in Malayalam cinema , the decades-long camaraderie between Mohanlal and Mammootty.The two superstars, even though their fans hold rivalry, continue to redefine friendship in the industry. In an earlier candid chat with NDTV, Mohanlal opened up about how the bond has only deepened over the years.“We meet every week, and we talk. Maybe every 2-3 days we make a phone call,” Mohanlal shared. This emphasizes the ease and warmth of their connection.One of the most touching examples of their bond came earlier this year during Mohanlal’s visit to the sacred Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. While performing special poojas for his mother and wife, Mohanlal spontaneously included Mammootty’s name too — a moment that spoke volumes.“There is a ritual there…you give their name and star, and the priest will do a pooja. I gave my mother and wife’s names. Then I thought I would give it for him (Mammootty),” Mohanlal said. The gesture was during the time when Mammootty was reportedly facing some health issues.Mohanlal also opened up about the 'Kalamkaval' actor's health condition during 'L2: Empuraan' Chennai press meet. "He is fine. He had a small problem. Everyone gets it. That's all. There is nothing to be scared of," the 'Thudarum' actor said.The legendary duo will soon be seen sharing the screen again in Mahesh Narayanan’s ambitious multi-starrer 'Patriot'. The film also stars Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban, Revathi, and others, and marks Nayanthara’s return to Malayalam cinema after two years.'Patriot' will be shot across exotic locations like Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi, and London over a 150-day schedule. The expectations are high for Mahesh Narayanan's directorial.