Mamta Mohandas Explained

Mamta Mohandas
Birth Date:1984 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Manama, Bahrain
Nationality:Indian
Alma Mater:Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
Years Active:2005–present

Mamta Mohandas (born 14 November 1984) is an Indian actress, film producer and a playback singer who predominantly works in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. She has won several accolades including two Filmfare Awards South for Best Female Playback Singer in Telugu in 2006 and for Best Actress in Malayalam in 2010 and also won Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress in 2010. She has launched her own film production company under the banner Mamta Mohandas Productions.

Early life and background

Mohandas was born on 14 November 1984[1] [2] to Malayali parents (Mohandas and Ganga) from Kannur. She attended the Indian School, Bahrain until 2002.[3] She pursued a bachelor's degree in computer science at Mount Carmel College Bangalore. She modeled for print ads for companies such as IBM and Kalyan Kendra, and modeled on the ramp for the Mysore Maharajah and Raymonds. Mamta is trained in Carnatic music and Hindustani music.[4] [5]

Film career

Acting

Mohandas debuted in the 2005 Malayalam film Mayookham, directed by Hariharan. The film did not do well at the box office.[6]

Subsequently, she acted alongside Mammootty in Bus Conductor, with Suresh Gopi in the films Adbutham (2006) and Lanka (2006), and alongside Jayaram in Madhuchandralekha (2006). She also played the female lead in Baba Kalyani with Mohanlal. Later that year, she débuted in the Tamil film industry, starring in the Karu Pazhaniappan directed film Sivappathigaram.

In 2007 she acted with Mammootty in the film Big B. She eventually stepped into the Telugu film industry as well, when she appeared in a supporting role in the film Yamadonga, directed by SS Rajamouli. She had lent her voice for a couple of songs in this film too. In 2008, she appeared in 7 films, predominantly in Telugu-language films. Her first release was her début Kannada film Gooli. She then starred in the film Krishnarjuna, playing the lead female role. Victory was her next assignment as lead actress, following which she appeared in a cameo role in her only Tamil release that year, Kuselan. Three more Telugu releases featured Mamta, including Homam, directed by JD Chakravarthy and Srinu Vaitla's King.

In 2009, she starred in the comedy film Guru En Aalu alongside Madhavan, and the thriller Passenger, sharing screen space with Dileep and Sreenivasan, respectively. The film Passenger, in which she played the role of a television reporter, became a turning point in Mohandas's career. She was initially approached to play the lead role in the 2009 Telugu dark fantasy Arundathi. She refused the offer, and the movie went on to become one of the highest grossers that year. In 2010, she worked with Jayaram in Kadha Thudarunnu[7] directed by Sathyan Anthikkad, for which she won her first Best Actress Award from Filmfare.[8] This film also won her the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress, the Vanitha award for best actress – Malayalam, the Mathrubhumi award for best actress – Malayalam and the Asianet award for the best actress- Malayalam. Other projects in 2010 included Musafir with Rahman, Anwar with Prithiviraj, and Kedi with Nagarjuna. Mamta's first film in 2011 was the Malayalam film Race, in which she played the role of Niya, wife of a cardio surgeon Abey (Kunchacko Boban). The film failed to do well at the box office.[9] Her next release in Malayalam was Naayika.[10] In 2012, she appeared in her third Tamil film, Thadaiyara Thaakka, directed by Magizh Thirumeni. In 2013 she starred in Paisa Paisa with Indrajith.[11] [12] In 2014 she starred in To Noora with Love as a Muslim character.[13]

Mohandas made a comeback to Malayalam movie industry with Ranjith Shankar's Mammooty starrer Varsham. She shared her screen space again with Dileep in Two Countries after doing My Boss with him.

In 2016, Mohandas starred opposite Mammootty in Thoppil Joppan, and in early 2017, she signed Crossroad, an anthology film in which she plays an orthodox Muslim. She also appeared in an extended cameo in Udaharanam Sujatha with Manju Warrier. In mid-2017, she signed Detroit Crossing aka Ranam opposite Prithviraj, but had to opt out because she did not have fresh dates to allocate for the project.

In 2020 Mohandas acted in the crime thriller feature film Forensic in which she played the role of police officer Rithika Xavier IPS.

Singing

Mohandas is trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music, and first sang playback in the Telugu film Rakhi, singing the title song under Devi Sri Prasad's direction, making her debut in the Telugu film industry as a singer before making her acting debut in Telugu. She went on to win the 2006 Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award for that song.[14]

Subsequently, she was asked to sing several songs for composer Devi Sri Prasad, including "Akalesthe Annam Pedtha" for the Chiranjeevi-starrer Shankardada Zindabad (later dubbed as Daddy Mummy in the Tamil film Villu), "36-24-36" for the film Jagadam, "Mia" for Tulasi, and "Ghanana (Funny)" and the title song for the film King. Other music directors she has worked with include M. M. Keeravani (for her own films Yamadonga and Krishnarjuna, also Chandamama), R. P. Patnaik (for Andamaina Mansulo), Chakri (for Victory), Nithin Raikwar (for her own film Homam) and Thaman (for Jayeebhava).

In Tamil, she sang "Kaalai Kaalai" in the film Kaalai, which starred Silambarasan in the lead role. She sang "Idai Vazhi" for the comedy film Goa under noted composer Yuvan Shankar Raja's direction. Both songs featured her singing alongside Benny Dayal. She was heard for the first time in her mother tongue, Malayalam, in the 2010 film Anwar. She has also recorded a song for her film Thriller. In the film 'Mohabath', she sang a duet with Hariharan. She sang "Iravil Viriyum" in her 2012 film Arike. She sang "Karuppana Kannazhagi" in the film Aadupuliyattam.[15]

Personal life

Mohandas got engaged to Prajith Padmanabhan, a Bahrain-based businessman, on 11 November 2011. They married on 28 December 2011 in Thalassery.[16] [17] On 12 December 2012, the couple applied for divorce.[18]

Mohandas is a cancer survivor, and has battled Hodgkin lymphoma since 2010.[19] In April 2013, she had a relapse of the cancer[20] and underwent cancer treatment in UCLA. Since 2014, she has resided in Los Angeles.[21] [22] [23]

Discography

YearSongFilmMusic directorCo-singerLanguage
2006"Rakhi Rakhi"RakhiDevi Sri PrasadDevi Sri PrasadTelugu
2007 "Akalesthey Annam Pedatha" Shankar Dada ZindabadDevi Sri PrasadSoloTelugu
"36-24-36"JagadamDevi Sri PrasadSoloTelugu
"Olammi Tikkareginda"YamadongaM. M. KeeravaniJr. NTRTelugu
"Sakkubaayine"ChandamamaK. M. Radha KrishnanJassie GiftTelugu
"Mia"TulasiDevi Sri PrasadNaveenTelugu
2008"Buggalerrabada"KrishnarjunaM. M. KeeravaniM. M. KeeravaniTelugu
"Ghanana (Funny)"KingDevi Sri PrasadSoloTelugu
"King"KingDevi Sri PrasadLesie LewisTelugu
"Andamaina Manasulo"Andamaina MansuloR. P. PatnaikSoloTelugu
"Sunley Zara "VictoryChakriNaveenTelugu
"Jenifer Laa"VictoryChakriNithin, ShashankTelugu
"Yey Mister Ninne"HomamNithin RaikwarNihal, ShivaniTelugu
"Kalai"KaalaiG. V. Prakash KumarBenny DayalTamil
2009"Gundelona"JayeebhavaS.ThamanMegha, Priya, JananiTelugu
"Daddy Mummy"VilluDevi Sri PrasadNaveenTamil
2010Kadhalu NidurinjeEnnadiki (Album)Vijay KarunSoloTelugu
"Idai Vazhi" GoaYuvan Shankar RajaBenny DayalTamil
"Njan" AnwarGopi SundarPrithviraj SukumaranMalayalam
"Priyankari"The ThrillerDharan KumarHaricharanMalayalam
"Priyankari"(Remix)The ThrillerDharan KumarBenny DayalMalayalam
2012"Iravil Viriyum" ArikeOuseppachanSoloMalayalam
"Kan Thurannoru Kalyani" Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O.Ratheesh VeghaSoloMalayalam
2013"Most Wanted"BhaiDevi Sri PrasadNarendraTelugu
2015"Karuppana Kannazhagi" AadupuliyattamRatheesh VeghaSoloMalayalam
2019Hei Diddle Aniyan Kunjinu ThannalayathuM. JayachandranSolo Malayalam
2020Thedal Thedal (Music Video)Sachin WarrierSachin WarrierMalayalam
Rumaal AmbiliLalbaghRahul RajZia Ul HaqMalayalam
2023AlapanamLiveAlphons JosephSoloMalayalam

Filmography

Year Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes
2005 Mayookham Indira
Bus Conductor Celina
Adbutham Maria Malayalam
2006 Lanka Lanka Lakshmi
Madhuchandralekha Indulekha Malayalam
Sivappathigaram Charulatha
Baba Kalyani Madhumitha Ashokan Malayalam
2007 Big B Rimi Tomy Malayalam
Yamadonga Dhanalakshmi
2008 Gooli Ramya
Krishnarjuna Sathya Telugu
Victory Janaki Telugu
Kuselan/ KathanayakuduAssistant directorTamil/ TeluguBilingual film,
Cameo appearance
Homam Dr. Mahalakshmi Telugu
Chintakayala RaviLavanya Telugu
KingSwapna/Pooja Telugu
2009 Guru En Aalu Seema Tamil
Passenger Anuradha Menon Malayalam
2010 Kedi Janaki Telugu
Kadha Thudarunnu Vidya Lakshmi Malayalam [24]
Nirakazhcha Shilpa Malayalam
Anwar Ayesha Begum Malayalam
The Thriller Herself as dancer Malayalam Special appearance
Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram Gaadha Malayalam
2011 Race Niya Malayalam
Naayika Aleena Malayalam
2012 Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar Neelima Malayalam
Njanum Ente Familiyum Dr. Priya Malayalam
Arike Anuradha Malayalam
Thadaiyara Thaakka Priya Tamil
Jawan of Vellimala Anitha Malayalam
My Boss Priya S. Nair Malayalam
2013 Celluloid Janet Daniel Malayalam
Ladies and Gentleman Anu Malayalam
Musafir Anupama Gopalakrishnan Nair Malayalam
Paisa Paisa Surya Malayalam
2014 To Noora with Love Noorjahan (Noora) Malayalam
Varsham Dr.Jayasree Malayalam
2015 Two Countries Laya Malayalam
2016 Thoppil JoppanMaria Varkey Malayalam
2017 Udaharanam Sujatha Deepa M Malayalam Extended cameo
Crossroad Badarunneesa Malayalam in the segment "Badar"
Goodalochana Padma Malayalam
2018 Carbon Sameera Malayalam
Neeli Lakshmi Malayalam
Johny Johny Yes Appa Amala Jayakumar Malayalam
2019 9 Annie Lewis Malayalam
Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel Anuradha Sudharshan Malayalam
2020 Forensic Rithika Xavier IPS Malayalam
2021 Bhramam Simi Malayalam Direct OTT release Amazon Prime Video
Enemy Anisha Rajiv Tamil
Lalbagh Sara Malayalam
Meow Sulekha Malayalam
2022 Jana Gana Mana Saba Mariam Malayalam [25]
2023 Maheshum Marutiyum Gowri Malayalam [26]
Live Dr. AmalaMalayalam [27]
RudrangiJwala Bhai Deshmukh Telugu
Otta Malayalam [28]
Bandra Sakshi Malayalam [29]
2024Maharaja Aasifa Tamil [30]

Voice cast

Other work

In 2012, Mohandas started working in television, hosting the quiz show Kayyil Oru Kodi on Surya TV, which was later cancelled.[31] She also judged the show D 4 Dance.

She was the brand ambassador of 2011 Kochi International Fashion Week (KIWF).[32]

Mohandas was the brand ambassador along with actress Bhavana for the team Kerala Strikers for the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) held in 2013, captained by Mohanlal, who is also one of the owners of the team, and vice-captain Indrajith Sukumaran. On 14 November 2020, Mohandas launched her own production company Mamta Mohandas Productions.[33]

Television

Year Title Role Language ChannelNotes
2012Kaiyil Oru Kodi Host Malayalam Surya TVGame show
2016Kerala CancerSingerMalayalamManorama NewsAwareness program
2016D 4 Dance Reloaded Judge Malayalam Mazhavil ManoramaReality show
2017D 4 Dance Junior v/s Senior Judge Malayalam Mazhavil ManoramaReality show
2017 Hand of GodMamtaMalayalam Mazhavil ManoramaShort film
2023Star Singer 9Judge (launch episode)MalayalamAsianetReality show

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards
Asianet Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Vanitha Film Awards
IIFA Utsavam
Asiavision Awards
South Indian International Movie Awards
Mathrubhumi - Kalyan Silks Chalachithra Awards
Asianet Comedy Awards

Notes and References

  1. News: Mamta Mohandas, Soubin Shahir, Shine Tom Chacko to team up for VK Prakash's social thriller 'Live' . The Times of India . 2023-03-05 . 0971-8257 . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305070415/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mamta-mohandas-soubin-shahir-shine-tom-chacko-to-team-up-for-vk-prakashs-social-thriller-live/articleshow/95508254.cms . live .
  2. Web site: 'Reports that I'm surrendering to cancer is false,' says Mamta Mohandas . 2023-03-05 . OnManorama . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305070414/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/11/23/mamta-mohandas-cancer-survivor-false-reports.html . live .
  3. News: Mamta Signs Up . Bahrain This Month . 2 January 2018 . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903203003/https://www.bahrainthismonth.com/magazine/business/mamta-signs-up . live .
  4. Web site: Mamta Mohandas – Malayalam celebrities the stories and the gossips . Movies.deepthi.com . 2 March 2012 . 26 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226072537/http://movies.deepthi.com/malayalam/actress/mamta-mohandas.html . live .
  5. http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCo8JF0aqtag5UBNrB-KN6ElgLas1jfw857N68tgL5C4aJauXPgg
  6. Web site: Kerala News – Mayookham . Kerals.com . 20 November 2005 . 2 March 2012 . 26 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226072539/http://www.kerals.com/news/fulldetail.php?t=824%20 . dead .
  7. News: Artistes' welfare priority: Ganesh . https://web.archive.org/web/20110528064024/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/23/stories/2011052363130700.htm . dead . 28 May 2011 . Chennai, India . . 23 May 2011.
  8. Web site: Vedam wins big at Filmfare Awards (South) 2011 . Rediff.com . 4 July 2011 . 1 December 2016 . 17 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617121943/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/vedam-wins-big-at-filmfare-awards-2011/20110704.htm . live .
  9. Web site: Movie Buzz – Race – Reviews, Running Theaters, Show Times in Kochi/Cochin . Kochiservnet.com . 11 February 2011 . 2 March 2012 . 17 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180717041740/http://www.kochiservnet.com/movies/theatre.php?id=Race&page=0 . dead .
  10. News: Mamta in Nayika . The Times of India . 28 October 2011 . 9 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709182641/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/mamta-mohandas-has-just-returned-from-a-10-day-trip-to-bahrain-where-shed-gone-to-visit-family-the-actress-is-scheduled-to-start-shooting-for-nayika-which-also-stars-sharada-this-week-mamta-plays-the-younger-version-of-sharadas-character-in-the-film-/speednewsshow/8677435.cms . live .
  11. Web site: Mamta Mohandas and Indrajith team up for Malayalam film 'Paisa Paisa' . https://web.archive.org/web/20121207150140/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamta-mohandas-and-indrajith-team-up-for-malayalam-film-paisa-paisa/308210-71-210.html . dead . 7 December 2012 . . 30 November 2012 . 9 April 2013.
  12. News: Sivalakshmi Roshith . Taking a reality check . 25 June 2013 . . 28 June 2013 . 23 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023133724/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/Taking-a-reality-check/2013/06/25/article1650946.ece . dead .
  13. News: Interview with Mamtha Mohandas . . 11 September 2016 . Prakash . Asha . 14 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170814092442/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news-and-interviews/Interview-with-Mamtha-Mohandas/articleshow/31581168.cms . live .
  14. News: I don't want to be known as a singer: Mamta Mohandas . https://archive.today/20130103214124/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-04/news-and-interviews/32007499_1_playback-singer-mamta-mohandas-malayalam . dead . 3 January 2013 . Sanjith Sidhardhan . 4 June 2012 . . 5 November 2012.
  15. Web site: വിക്കുണ്ട് വിറ്റുണ്ട് വാനോളം ട്വിസ്റ്റുണ്ട്: ബാലൻ വക്കീൽ റിവ്യൂ . ManoramaOnline . ml . 21 February 2019 . 21 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190221165721/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2019/02/21/dileep-b-unnikrishnan-s-kodathi-samaksham-balan-vakeel-review-malayalam.html . live .
  16. News: 'My strength comes from my will to survive' . . 11 September 2016 . Sidhardhan . Sanjith . 26 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426203348/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/My-strength-comes-from-my-will-to-survive/articleshow/49154235.cms . live .
  17. News: Mamta Mohandas weds family friend . The Times of India . 28 December 2011 . 29 December 2011 . 23 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120723223900/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Mamta-Mohandas-weds-family-friend/articleshow/11280288.cms . live .
  18. News: Pregith and I have decided to part for good: Mamta Mohandas . https://web.archive.org/web/20121215011044/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-12/news-interviews/35750324_1_mamta-mohandas-marriage-highest-divorce-rates . dead . 15 December 2012 . Parvathy S. Nayar . . 24 January 2013.
  19. News: Interview with Mamtha Mohandas . The Times of India . 6 November 2017 . 23 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170823024815/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Interview-with-Mamtha-Mohandas/articleshow/31581168.cms . live .
  20. News: There is a relapse of cancer, but will pass: Mamta Mohandas . Rohit Raj . 25 April 2013 . Deccan Chronicle . 14 May 2013 . 2 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130502091029/http://deccanchronicle.com/130425/entertainment-mollywood/article/cancer-returns-will-pass-mamta-mohandas . dead .
  21. News: Mamta Mohandas talks 'Carbon' and a new phase in her life . Gulf News . Radhakrishnan . Manjusha . 3 February 2018 . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903203002/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/mamta-mohandas-talks-carbon-and-a-new-phase-in-her-life-1.2167504 . live .
  22. News: South Indian actress Mamta Mohandas' music video shot in Dubai garners fans . Gulf News . Radhakrishnan . Manjusha . 6 September 2020 . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903203000/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/south-indian-actress-mamta-mohandas-music-video-shot-in-dubai-garners-fans-1.73664052 . live .
  23. News: Courageous star . Gulf Weekly . 24 August 2011 . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903203000/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/south-indian-actress-mamta-mohandas-music-video-shot-in-dubai-garners-fans-1.73664052 . live .
  24. http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/30/south-jayaram-mamta-in-kadha-thudarunnu.htm "Jayaram, Mamta in Kadha Thudarunnu"
  25. Web site: Thank you for making 'Jana Gana Mana' your film too, Mamta Mohandas tells audience . 2023-03-01 . English.Mathrubhumi . May 2022 . en . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301134147/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/thank-you-for-making-jana-gana-mana-your-film-too-mamta-mohandas-tells-audience-1.7479944 . live .
  26. Web site: 'Maheshum Maruthiyum' to release on March 10 . 2023-03-01 . The New Indian Express . 28 February 2023 . 7 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307062652/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2023/feb/28/maheshum-maruthiyumto-release-on-march-10-2551489.html . live .
  27. Web site: First look of VK Prakash's Live out . 2023-03-23 . The New Indian Express . 16 March 2023 . 23 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061610/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2023/mar/16/first-look-of-vk-prakashs-live-out-2556365.html . live .
  28. Web site: Otta trailer: Resul Pookutty's star-studded directorial debut promises some intense drama . 2023-10-25 . . 20 October 2023 . en.
  29. News: 2023-10-18 . 'Bandra' teaser: Dileep and Tamannaah Bhatia's captivating chemistry shines in this action drama . The Times of India . 2023-11-02 . 0971-8257.
  30. News: 12 July 2023 . Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film titled 'Maharaja' . 29 May 2024 . . 13 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513131335/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-50th-film-titled-maharaja/articleshow/101701879.cms . live .
  31. News: Mamta, up close . The Hindu . 16 May 2012 . 18 May 2012 . 21 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120721025559/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3425501.ece . live .
  32. News: Jaipur's presence at Kochi Fashion week . The Times of India . Shukla . Richa . 22 August 2011 . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903203000/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/designers/Jaipurs-presence-at-Kochi-Fashion-week/articleshow/9696243.cms?from=mdr . live .
  33. News: Anand . Shilpa Nair . 17 November 2020 . Mamta Mohandas launches her production house . en-IN . The Hindu . 28 May 2021 . 0971-751X . 17 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517110619/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/actor-mamta-mohandas-talks-about-providing-opportunities-to-young-talent-with-her-production-house/article33117494.ece . live .