How did P.I. Muhammed aka Omar Sharif become Mammootty? C Sasidharan's real-life 'Katha Parayumbol' moments at Kochi

KOCHI: 52 long years. C Sasidharan hid that secret like barber Balan from 'Katha Parayumbol'. Mammootty revealed it at a function in Kochi the other day, with Sasidharan next to him. 'This Sasidharan is the one who gave me the name Mammootty'. A revelation as emotional as the climax scene in the movie Katha Parayumpol.

P.I. Muhammed, known as Omar Sharif, was called 'Mammootty' by his classmate Sasidharan during his undergraduate studies at Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. When Mammootty told his old classmate that he was at a function in Kochi on November 27 and that he should come, Pazhangad Vypeen Island native Sasidharan initially hesitated. He came only after being forced to.

Feeling happy and nervous at Mammootty's unexpected revelation, Sasidharan left the place without showing his face to others. Sasidharan, who worked as a teacher for five years and in high positions in private companies for 38 years, including abroad, is now living a retired life.

Story of the ID card

Mammootty studied for his degree at Maharajas from 1970-73. Although Mammootty and Sasidharan studied two subjects, they were together in Malayalam and English classes. Mammootty used to say his name was Omar Sharif. Once, Mammootty's identity card fell out of his pocket in class. Sasidharan picked it up and read the name. "He is not Omar, he is P.I. Muhammed Kutty, Mammootty," he shouted. Sasidharan recalls that 'Mammootty' came to mind when he read the name Muhammed Kutty.