Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been on a private visit to Assam. On August 16, he offered his prayers at the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, and the next day he visited the Shiva temple at Umananda, a river island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. A self-confessed tantra enthusiast, Mohanlal penned a social media post on how he had been hearing about Kamakhya, a cradle of tantric practices, for years but did not get an opportunity to visit the temple. He also mentioned about Assam’s history, particularly the 600-year-long Ahom rule, and said that it was important to study the history of the region for a better understanding of India. In an exclusive interview with India Today NE, he shared his insights about his visit to Assam.
Q. What makes Assam a unique place?
A. Everything is unique because nobody has still explored the possibilities of Assam, I believe. I have known this place for ages, but I am visiting this place for the first time. A lot of my friends have visited this place. I especially wanted to visit Ma Kamakhya temple because it is the cradle of Tantra. In the South also, lots of people practice Tantra in a different way. I visited this temple with my friend. This is something very personal. I cannot share. But I would say it is one of the most beautiful days in my life.
Q. You wrote that it was important to study the history of the northeast.
A. A lot of people are enquiring about the Ahom dynasty, a lot of people are enquiring about Kamakhya. What is the importance of this unique temple? There are a lot of questions are coming out now. So, it’s important to study about these things.
Q. What’s special about Assam’s food?
A. I am unable to reproduce the names, but they are very delicious. I had Assamese breakfast and in the lunch also I had an Assamese meal.
Q. Do you know about Assam’s prime festival Bihu?
A. Yes I do. I have watched the Bihu dance on YouTube
Q. Do you find any similarity between Assam and your home state Kerala?
A. Of course, there are similarities in the food. We use a lot of chillies. Here too, people add chillies to their food. Only look-wise people are different in Assam and Kerala. Otherwise the people are the same. It is my second day in Assam. But I will surely come back to Assam after I study more.
Q. What Assamese film industry can learn from Malayalam film industry, which is popular across the country?
A. Kerala is also a small state, but we are making good films content-wise. Definitely films will become known and will be big hits with good content. Some of the Assamese films are also doing very well all over the world.
Q. One role that you enjoyed doing the most?
A. This is my 45th year in film. I am still waiting to do a good role.
Q. Who is your favourite actor?
A. Mohanlal