Mammootty is considered by many critics to be one of the finest actors in Indian cinema who has excelled in both art and commercial movies. Till date Mammootty has received three National awards, six State awards and nine Filmfare Awards in the Best actor category. In 1998, the Government of India honored him with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.

Mammooty was born in Chempu, near Vaikom in Kottayam, Kerala. His father was an Agriculturist, and his mother Fatima is a housewife. Before coming to film industry he practiced law for a brief period. He studied law at Ernakulam Government Law College. Vilkanundu Swapnangal, penned by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by M. Azad was Mammootty's first released film where he played the role of "Madhavan Kutty". He had shown his face in many minor roles before. Roles in movies like 'Mela', 'Thrishna', 'Aavanazhi', 'Inspector Balram' and 'Yavanika' cemented him to the helm of Malayalam movies. In Yavanika he acted as a Sub-inspector Jacob Eerally and got rave reviews for its style and dialogue delivery.

Mammootty acted in about more than 150 films with in a span of 5 -6 years. In mid 1980's there was a decline in his popularity. The star himself has said that, as he choose to act in more films, the quality went down. However he regained his stardom with New Delhi and Thaniyavarthanam released in 1987. New Delhi went on to create box-office history in Kerala and it was later remade into many other Indian languages. Since then there was no turn back. Now he acts only 3 to 5 films in a year.

Even at the age of 55 he is maintaining his look and fitness. Mammoottys recent movies Karutha Pakshikal, Palunku and Kaiyoppu are critically acclaimed. Other notable recent release are Mayavi, Balram vs. Taradas, Big B, Nasrani, Mission 90 Days, Ore Kadal, Kadha parayumbol, Raudram, Pazhassi Raja etc.