Mammootty the Malayalam movie megastar was born to Ismail (an agriculturist) and Fatima (a homemaker). He had two younger brothers Ibrahim and Zakariah; and three sisters, Ameena, Sauda and Shafina. He did his high school (pre-degree) at Maharaja's College, Thevara and then studied law at Ernakulam Government Law College. It was during his days at Maharajah's that he got his first role a bit part in Anubhavangal Paalichakal in 1971. He practised as a criminal lawyer in Manjiri for 2 years. He got married in 1980 to Sulfaath. He was 'discovered' by M.T. Vasudevan Nair who cast him in the unfinished 'Devalokam'. K.G. George was another mentor of Mammootty's who made him into a bankable superstar. He has a daughter, Surmi (b. 1982) and a son, Dulquar Salman (b.1986). He made a brief foray into Hindi films but did not create much of an impact. He has won numerous Indian National awards.