‘My father wanted me to become a doctor’: Mammootty receives third honorary doctorate

Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by Mahatma Gandhi University on Monday in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

The honorary doctorate was presented during the university’s convocation ceremony in Kottayam by Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The university cited Mammootty’s unparalleled service to cinema and his lasting cultural impact as the basis for the honour.

Reacting to the recognition, the actor shared photographs from the ceremony on social media and expressed gratitude to his supporters. “Humbled to have received the Honorary DLitt from Mahatma Gandhi University today, presented by the Honourable Governor of Kerala. My gratitude to each and every one of you who stood by my side throughout this memorable journey,” he wrote.

This marks the third honorary doctorate awarded to Mammootty by a state university in Kerala. In 2010, the University of Kerala conferred a DLitt on him for his contributions to art and literature through cinema. Later the same year, the University of Calicut also honoured him for his lifelong dedication to artistic work and public service.

During his address at the convocation, Mammootty struck an emotional chord with the audience while reflecting on his journey in cinema.

“My father wanted me to become a doctor,” the actor said, adding, “but now I’ve been able to treat you, not patients, but you, through cinema for the past 45 years.”

The remark drew loud applause from the gathering, highlighting the deep emotional connection the actor shares with audiences across generations.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Mammootty has acted in over 400 films across multiple languages and genres. He has won three National Film Awards for Best Actor, jointly holding the second-highest number of wins in the category alongside Kamal Haasan and Ajay Devgn.

The Government of India announced the Padma Bhushan for Mammootty in 2026 for his contribution to cinema. He had earlier received the Padma Shri in 1998.

On the professional front, Mammootty was recently seen in the political espionage drama Patriot directed by Mahesh Narayanan. The film also marked his on-screen reunion with Mohanlal after nearly 17 years.