Malayalam film actor Mammootty was born to Ismail (an agriculturist) and Fatima (a homemaker). He has two younger brothers Ibrahim and Zakariah; and three sisters, Ameena, Sauda and Shafina. He did his schooling in St.Joseph's Thevara, Maharaja's College and then studied law at Ernakulam Government Law College. It was during his days at Maharajah's that he got his first role as an extra (junior artist) in Anubhavangal Paalichakal in 1971. Along with Mohanlal, he is a top star in the Malayalam film industry of South India.
Has won the National Award for Best Actor 3 times.
While he was a law student he and his friends streaked through the
streets of Ernakulam (Kerala, India) as part of a bet.
An autobiography named "Chamayangalillathe"(without makeup) which was serialized in Malayala Manorama weekly was later published as a book in 1992. The book tells about his life from his birth till it was first released.