Maqbool Salmaan: ‘I am a big fan of Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan’

Actor and cousin of Malayalam star Dulquer Salmaan, Maqbool Salmaan is known for his performance in movies like Matinee, Masterpiece and Kasaba. His latest film Kirkkan - an investigative drama, in which he plays a police officer - is currently running in the theatres. In a recent interview, Maqbool admitted that he is a big fan of both Mammootty and Dulquer.

“I have in my family a megastar Mammootty and a superstar Dulquer to talk about movies. Compared with their films, my projects are not that big. I don’t discuss all my projects with them, but talk about the films that excite me and those I think they should have a look at. Asuravithu and Matinee are the kinds of films that we saw together,” Maqbool told Media One Lite.

Speaking about Kirkkan and the feedback he got from Mammootty and Dulquer, Maqbool said, “They often enquire about the updates on Kirkkan. But I am more interested in their projects, because I am a fan of both of them. I often take inspiration from their life and try to emulate them. I don’t see better role models than them in my life.”

Maqbool said that he is waiting for Dulquer’s King of Kotha, the gangster drama directed by Abhilash Joshiy. It’s the biggest film in Dulquer’s career, made on a whooping budget of ₹50 crore. The film features the timeline of the 1980s, and is set in a fictional place called Kotha. Apart from Dulquer, the film also stars Aishwarya Lekshmi, Prasanna, Chemban Vinod Jose, Shammi Thilakan and Nyla Usha.

Meanwhile, Kirkkan revolves around the death of a young girl and an investigation that follows. The film, helmed by debutant director Josh Bal, also features Kani Kusruti, essaying the female lead. Maqbool, who made his debut in AK Saajan’s Asuravithu, gained fame with his performance in Matinee. In it, he co-starred with Mythili and portrayed an aspiring actor.