The megastar has spoken in several interviews about his long-standing love for photography, a hobby he revisited in a big way during the pandemic lockdown, alongside a well-known fascination with cars that’s since grown into an entire personal collection, according to a report by Republic World and IMDb. Away from the camera and decades of iconic roles across Malayalam cinema, Mammootty leads a life shaped by a couple of genuinely unexpected passions that rarely make it into the usual conversation about his career. Together, these interests offer a rare glimpse into a side of the actor that has nothing to do with box office numbers or film reviews. Here’s a closer look at what Mammootty does when he steps away from the sets.
The response was significant, with the report citing that his post drew over 350,000 likes and around 13,000 comments within a single day, with fans openly praising the quality of his photography skills. Beyond photography, Mammootty is also widely known as a serious car enthusiast, with a personal collection referred to as the “369 Garage. Mammootty having a reported interest in expensive electronic gadgets, cameras and mobile devices in particular, a natural extension of his photography hobby rather than a separate interest entirely.
As per Republic World, Mammootty used the pandemic lockdown to pick up “old hobbies,” turning his attention back to photography after having spoken about his love for the craft in numerous past interviews. A well-known reference platform rather than a traditional news outlet, the collection includes models such as the BMW E46 M3, Mini Cooper S, Jaguar XJ, Toyota Land Cruiser, Audi A7, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Toyota Fortuner, according to IMDb. The “369” naming isn’t random either, the same reference notes that all the vehicles in his collection reportedly carry number plates featuring the same digits, 3, 6, and 9.
The report notes that he was spotted photographing birds in his own neighbourhood during this period, sharing the results on his Instagram account. What stands out about Mammootty’s relationship with photography, is that it isn’t framed as a sudden new pastime picked up out of boredom, but as something he’s referenced repeatedly across interviews over the years. The lockdown simply gave him the time and occasion to actively practise it again rather than just discuss it, and the warm fan reaction to his bird photography suggested genuine skill built up over years of quiet interest rather than a first attempt at the hobby. His son, actor Dulquer Salmaan, shares a similar enthusiasm for automobiles, with both father and son known among fans for their curated taste in vehicles. Dulquer has reportedly gravitated more specifically toward restoring distinctive, individual cars, a shared hobby that’s become something of a running theme of interest among fans of the family While Mammootty’s collection leans toward a broader range of luxury and performance models. It’s a detail that ties his two most talked-about passions together neatly, an appreciation for well-made cars and well-made cameras, both reflecting a taste for quality and precision that fans have picked up on well beyond his film performances. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
