Mammootty was apprehensive about playing gay character in Kaathal The Core? Director reveals

Mammootty is known for playing fierce and bold characters onscreen. He is also loved by fans for taking on films with political undercurrents. The Malayalam star is currently earning praise for his role as a gay man in Jeo Baby's Kaathal-The Core, co-starring Jyotika. The movie revolves around Mathew Devassy, a retired bank manager who decides to contest local elections. Omana, his wife of 20 years, shocks him with her decision to file for divorce alleging he is gay.

Kaathal is being hailed as one of the best films this year. In an interview, Jeo Baby revealed if Mammootty had any apprehensions about portraying a gay character onscreen for the first time.

Jeo Baby on how Mammootty reacted to Kaathal The Core script

Asked about the praise that Mammootty is receiving for the film, Kaathal director said that he knew that the superstar would have no issues playing a gay character if he liked the story.

"Both of the actors are happy. I didn't doubt it because I knew Mammootty's potential. I knew if he liked the role, he would do it. He is a nice human being. Jyotika worked so hard on the movie. She had no idea about Malayalam. She put in a lot of effort to learn the language," he told PTI.

Mammootty had liked Baby's last film and sent him a message. When writers Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria approached the filmmaker, Baby immediately thought about reaching out to the Malayalam star, who has also produced Kaathal.

Jeo Baby talks about his next 'non-political' film

Jeo Baby is now planning to take a break before he starts his next project. The director, however, wants to subvert expectations by working on a "cool entertainer", he shared.

"Generally, I am not worried about my next film but I am totally worried about what I will do next because I know people expect more from me. I have decided that it will not be political. I would like to change genres, so it may be a cool entertainer. I have a reputation for being a political and feminist filmmaker, which I love. But, as a director, I would like to try all genres," he added.