Kochi, November 9
Malayalam cinema superstar Mammootty, celebrated for his extraordinary acting career spanning more than five decades, has emerged as one of Kerala’s prominent philanthropic personalities, extending financial and medical assistance to underprivileged families through several charitable initiatives.
While his performances have earned him national recognition and numerous awards, the actor’s sustained involvement in healthcare, education and humanitarian assistance has established a parallel legacy beyond the entertainment industry.
At the centre of his charitable activities is the Care & Share International Foundation, which supports economically disadvantaged families, particularly those struggling to afford specialised medical treatment.
One of its most significant interventions has been in cardiac care, where the foundation has facilitated life-saving heart surgeries for children and adults who otherwise might have been unable to undergo expensive procedures.
Its pioneering Hridayasparsham programme focuses on children suffering from congenital heart diseases. According to the foundation, the initiative has supported more than 200 cardiac surgeries, with patients selected according to medical urgency and financial need.
The organisation has also conducted cardiac screening camps in different districts, helping identify heart ailments among children in rural communities.
Another major initiative, Hridyam, implemented in association with Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, provides free heart valve replacement surgeries. The programme was designed to support 100 procedures over three years, bringing specialised cardiac treatment within reach of financially vulnerable patients.
The impact of these programmes became evident in October 2026 when a Nepali boy named Bikram, whose family was living in Wayanad, underwent a successful cardiac procedure at Rajagiri Hospital.
Former Kalpetta MLA C.K. Saseendran brought the boy’s condition to Mammootty’s attention. The actor subsequently facilitated treatment through his foundation. The procedure addressed a congenital heart defect that had forced Bikram to discontinue his education and sporting activities.
In another instance, the foundation helped a financially distressed woman from Thiruvananthapuram undergo heart valve replacement surgery costing approximately Rs 7 lakh.
Mammootty’s humanitarian work also extends beyond cardiology.
In February 2026, the foundation launched Kathodu Kathoram, a programme offering free cochlear implant surgeries to hearing-impaired people from disadvantaged families, in partnership with Rajagiri Hospital.
Its Vidyamritham educational initiative has supported students facing financial hardship. The fifth phase, launched in 2025, proposed educational opportunities for 450 students through institutional partnerships.
More recently, Mammootty announced Sukrutam 2.0, a free cancer treatment initiative in collaboration with Parumala Hospital, on November 2, 2026.
Speaking at the launch, the actor emphasised that helping fellow human beings was a moral responsibility rather than an obligation imposed by others.
His philanthropic journey illustrates how celebrity influence, when combined with medical institutions and organised charitable networks, can provide meaningful assistance to vulnerable communities.
For Mammootty, whose screen presence has captivated generations, the most enduring recognition may ultimately come from the families whose lives have been transformed through these humanitarian interventions.
