Writer and filmmaker MT Vasudevan Nair with actor Mammootty (File) | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Mammootty, Mohanlal and Manju Warrier among others from the Malayalam film industry paid their last respects to legendary MT Vasudevan Nair who passed away on the night of December 25, 2024 in Kozhikode.
Known for his immense contributions as a screenwriter, director and producer, Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, was a towering figure in Indian literature and cinema.
Lead actor Mohanlal visited MT’s residence ‘Sitara’ in Kozhikode to pay his last respects, where the public was also allowed to bid farewell.
Reflecting on his fond relationship with the Jnanpith awardee, Mohanlal said, “MT has given me some of the most memorable characters in my film career. He used to go to Mumbai to watch my Sanskrit plays and I used to visit him when I went to Kozhikode. Acting in roles written by MT is an incomparable privilege.”
Actor Mammootty shared a heartfelt Facebook post expressing his deep sense of loss. “Having a place in MT’s heart is one of the greatest blessings of my career,” he wrote.
“I have portrayed many characters that carry his spirit, although I cannot remember them all now. An entire era has passed leaving my mind blank. I felt I was holding my father when I held him four-five months ago when I stumbled upon him at an event in Ernakulam.”
Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who has worked in films with MT Kanyakumari and ManorthangalMourning the loss of a mentor and dear friend.
‘As a producer of the film, I have a friendship with him KanyakumariIntroducing me to the Malayalam screen world, fifty years on now, continued till the recent ‘Manorthangal’,” he posted on X. “My heartiest tributes to a great writer.”
Director Hariharan, who collaborated with MT on several critically acclaimed films, broke down while paying tribute.
In his tribute, actor Manju Warrier compared MT to the father of modern Malayalam writers.
“The only character I portrayed was ‘Daya’ (Kindness) by MT Sir, the epitome of tenderness. Thank you for making Malayalam literature and cinema timeless,” she wrote.
Ms. Warrier also recalled the precious ‘Ejuthola’ gifted by MT during her visit to Thunchan Parambu in memory of the father of Malayalam language.
MT’s legacy in cinema is unparalleled. He directed seven films and wrote about 54 screenplays, many of which are considered classics, including Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, tighten upand always.
His works seamlessly blended deep narratives with effective visual storytelling, earning him four National Film Awards for Best Screenplay, the most by anyone in Malayalam cinema.
He made his directorial debut in 1973 NirmalayamA poignant story of a village oracle grappling with social change, which won the National Award for Best Feature Film.
MT’s repertoire has expanded beyond feature films to include documentaries, songs, and even TV series.
published – December 26, 2024 at 11:41 am IST