Thursday Trivia: When Mammootty and Mohanlal featured together as father and son

The iconic Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal have shared the screen in numerous films, delivering memorable performances in diverse roles. Among their collaborations, one of the most notable is their portrayal as father and son in the 1982 epic period film 'Padayottam,' directed by Jijo Punnoose. Despite having only a nine-year age gap in real life, the actors convincingly played generational roles in this grand production.

'Padayottam,' inspired by Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' tells the story of a young prince who returns to his homeland seeking vengeance for the downfall of his uncle. The film showcases the prince's journey filled with challenges and retribution. The role of Kamaran, played by Mammootty, became a breakthrough in his career, leading him to avoid aged roles subsequently.

The film was a milestone in Malayalam cinema for several reasons. It was shot on a 35 mm camera and later blown up to 70 mm in a lab in Madras, making it the first indigenous 70 mm blow-up. The production of 'Padayottam' was a significant investment, costing Rs 1 crore at a time when the average cost of a Malayalam film was around Rs 15 lakh, marking it as the most expensive Malayalam film of its time.

'Padayottam' boasted an ensemble cast, including Prem Nazir, Madhu, Lakshmi, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Shankar, Poornima Bhagyaraj, and N. Govindan Kutty, among others.

In a nostalgic twist, Mohanlal is set to collaborate again with director Jijo Punnoose for the upcoming film 'Barroz,' where Punnoose has also penned the original story. Meanwhile, Mammootty, last seen in the lead role of the film 'Turbo' directed by Vysakh, is currently shooting for his next project with director Gautham Vasudev Menon.