KOCHI: "He is an old fan of mine," mega star Mammootty said while holding Australian Minister Jinson Anto Charles close to him. The minister responded by hugging Mammootty with a burst of laughter.

Minister Jinson, a Malayali from Australia, had arrived on the set of Mahesh Narayanan's Mammootty-Mohanlal film, which is currently being shot in Kochi. Jinson, a fan of Mammootty, has been a pioneer in his charitable works for many years.

Jinson, a native of Pala in Kottayam, is a minister in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is a representative of the Liberal Party. He came to Kochi with an intention to formally invite Mammootty to Australia. The official letter of invitation was handed over to Mammootty. Mammootty accepted the invitation of the minister, who is in charge of six departments, including cinema.

Mammootty inquired of the minister whether he could do something to start a direct flight service from Kochi to Australia.

In 2007, when Angamaly Little Flower Hospital, in collaboration with the Mammootty Fans and Welfare Association, launched a free eye treatment program called 'Kazha,' Jinson, who was a nursing student there at the time, led the student volunteers at the hospital. When Mammootty started the Care and Share International Foundation, he became an active presence in it. Even after he migrated to Australia, Jinson continued to be part of the actor's social service projects. Mammootty sent Jinson off with the wish that he would continue as a minister for a long time.