‘Bhishmaparvam’ screenwriter Devadath Shaji tells the story of how Mammootty changed his life. Devadatta says that Mammootty’s response after seeing his short film in 2018 before coming to the cinema was that the energy he gave in life was not small and that he still has not told him about this incident.
Devadatta Shaji’s words:
‘January 2018 … the time when the latest’ My Own Thing ‘short film was released on YouTube. Sitting with friends for the night in a room in Aluva. Viewers comment positively but everyone is worried that the views are not going up. The short film link is being forwarded to everyone in contact. Suddenly the cameraman, dear brother Harikrishnan Lohithadas stretches out his mobile screen in front of me. Someone replied ‘well’ to the short film. I was shocked to see the name of the person who sent the message at the top of the chat box. “Mammooka”.
Years have passed. One of the people who worked with Bhishma Parvat called and said, ‘Amal Sir is looking for you. To Mammootty’s room … ‘. I cut my tea in half and ran there. On the way there are Mammootty Sir, Amal Neerad Sir, Abu Salimika and Georgette. Mammootty looked at me with his right hand and showed me the action to change the mask.
Amal Sir introduced me. Mammootty Sir asked for news. I tie my hands behind my back and massage. Noticing that his hands were shaking well, Georgette slowly came back and held her hands tightly. Among the highlights was the response to seeing the short film of the day. Couldn’t figure out why. Later, in the midst of months of filming ‘Bhishmaparvam’, I never got the chance or the courage to say anything about it.
Dear Mammootty Sir, The energy that ‘well’ gave is beyond words … ‘