Mammootty was not the first choice in No.20 Madras Mail

NIRMAL YESODA

Mollywood movie ‘No.20 Madras Mail’, released in 1990 was a huge hit at the box-office. The major highlight of the movie was Mohanlal’s impeccable comic timing and Mammootty’s extended cameo appearance. And now, after 30 years of the movie’s release, director Joshiy has revealed that Mammootty was originally not a part of this movie.

In a recent interview given to Vanitha, Joshiy revealed that Mammootty’s role in this movie was originally planned with another prominent actor. However, it was Mohanlal who recommended Mammootty’s name to this role.

Joshiy was initially hesitant to approach Mammootty to play an extended cameo in a movie that features Mohanlal in the lead role. But surprisingly, Mammootty accepted the offer without any hesitation, and the rest is history.

Upon the release of this film, audiences were surprised to see Mammootty and Mohanlal sharing the screen space in full swing. Even now, the train scenes that feature Mammootty and Mohanlal enjoy huge repeat-watch value.

On the work front, Mohanlal is currently busy with the filming of his new movie Drishyam 2, a sequel to the 2013 blockbuster Drishyam. The shooting of this movie is currently progressing steadily in Thodupuzha. After completing the shooting, Mohanlal will join the filming of his next film that will be directed by B Unnikrishnan.

Mammootty is currently awaiting the release of his new movie One, directed by Santhosh Viswanath. The film penned by Bobby-Sanjay is a political thriller, and it will feature Mammootty in the role of Kerala Chief Minister Kadakkal Chandran. An official announcement regarding the release date of the movie will be made soon.