“Working with new directors I am benefited. Being a part of their thoughts it helps. I am selfish in that way”, admitted the pride of Malayalam films and top ranking actor Mammootty addressing the media in Bangalore on his debut film in Kannada, ‘Shikari’ that went on the floors two days ago. This is made in Kannada and Malayalam. The mega star Mammootty receiving a rousing welcome in Bangalore for his entry to Kannada. Producer K Manju who brought in Dr Kamal Haasan in ‘Rama Shama Bhama’ has now taken up a bilingual ‘Shikari’ that is directed by young director Abhay Simha.

Mammootty has immensely liked the two lines concept which director Abhay Simha sent via SMS to meet him. Then reading the entire script in the e-mail, he invited Abhay Simha for the discussion. Mammootty plays a software techie and a freedom fighter. It is not a double role. As he goes through the novel inside the ‘Shikari’ cinema he goes into hallucination and starts loving the lady character in the script. That also makes him to imagine the developments in 1945. Mammootty will be dubbing his Kannada portion on his own is another striking element of ‘Shikari’. As of now the simultaneous Kannada and Malayalam film ‘Shikari’ completed a few days of shoot at a private apartment in Bangalore. The next major schedule is in July.

Mammootty addressing his first media conference in Bangalore was as cool and clever as ever. The strategy what I maintained in Malayalam has happened here in Kannada. The concept of ‘Shikari’ is great and I would work to the trust”, said Mammootty.

The Malayalam actor who made foray in to Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films now enters the Kannada cinema with nearly 360 films to his credit.

In a short address Mammootty praised the culture of Karnataka and Kerala. There is lot of closeness. The Yakshagana prominent here in Karnataka is also found in Kerala. The film he had seen of Dr Rajakumar, Dr Vishnuvaradhan, his friendship with Ambarish, the literary works of Kannada he had read in the translated version all came up in his address.

Pointing to the emotions he said he also get angry sometime. “Most of the times I am myself! You can expect anger from me”, informed Mammootty.

Mammootty was felicitated on his entry to Kannada cinema. A Mysore Peta, Shawl, garland and number of bouquets were presented to him by different Kannada film personalities.

Producer of Shikari, K Manju, and director of the film Abhay Simha, cameraman Dr Vikram Srivatsav, SV Rajendra Singh Babu, Thara, Aditya, Mohan shared the dais with Mammootty on Sunday afternoon at Atria Hotel.