Bollywood veterans are M-Town bound

With profound themes and rooted-to-reality subjects, Mollywood has always lured many veteran Bollywood stars, who have defied the language barriers to enter the Malayalam film industry. And these actors have always succeeded in adding a zing to the movies with their distinct and realistic portrayal of characters. The latest to enter Malayalam is Nana Patekar, who is all set to play a cop in a hardcore thriller helmed by Revathy S Varma.Here we take a look at some of his predecessors, who have won over the Malayali hearts.
Makarand Despande
Makarand Despande’s role as the arrogant, alcoholic and super talented music band leader, Pothachen, in Amen was lapped up by movie buffs. Though he is just two films old in M-Town, the theatre personality and Bollywood actor-director could easily capture the attention of Malayali audience and filmmakers alike. Apart from Amen, his performance as Sanjayan, a character with grey shades in the movie No. 66 Madurai Bus, has won him
critical acclaim.
Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher, the seasoned Bollywood actor, made a powerful Mollywood entry by playing a Palghat-native named Achutha Menon in Pranayam. The unusual triangular love story, which saw Anupam, Mohanlal and Jayaprada in the lead, delved deep into the past relationships and emotional turmoil of its characters.
Arundathi Nag
Can anyone forget the feisty and fun loving grandmother in Da Thadiya, who cooks tasty dishes for her dear grandson, Luke? In her debut Malayalam movie helmed by Aashiq Abu, Bollywood actress Arundathi Nag made quite an impression by playing an ‘unconventional’ grandmother and the head of a rich, joint family. A noted theatre personality and a national award winning actress, Arundathi made her presence felt throughout the movie with her powerful performance.
ZarinaWahab
Zarina Wahab is not at all an outsider in M-Town. The actress, who has starred in nearly 23 Malayalam films since her debut in the 1978 blockbuster movie, Madanolsavam, is now a favourite choice for filmmakers when it comes to mother roles. Her classy act in films like Chamaram, and more recently in Adaminte Makan Abu, has gained her a firm footing in Mollywood. She was last seen in the Malayalam movie, Olipporu, where she played the mother of Fahadh Faasil.
Jackie Shroff
The actor who defined raw machismo in Bollywood is no stranger to Malayalam. Jackie made his Malayalam debut with the science fiction movie, Athisayan. The movie helmed by Vinayan saw him playing scientist R C Shekhar, who experiments on a magic potion that could make human beings invisible. Later, the actor was seen playing a complex character in Platform Number One, opposite Shwetha Menon, proving his versatility.