The film is set in 17th-/18th-century Kerala

 

Role overview

• Mammootty plays the character named Kodumon Potty (initially reported as “Kunjumon Potti” before a name change) in Bramayugam. Republic World+2Onmanorama+2

• The film is set in 17th-/18th-century Kerala (South Malabar region) and involves themes of dark magic, caste power structures, sorcery and folklore. The Indian Express+2Cinema Express+2

• Kodumon Potty is the owner/patriarch of a dilapidated Brahmin “mana” (mansion) who also seems to wield esoteric power and control over other characters within the story. The Indian Express+1

Character traits & significance

• Potty is initially seen as the master of the house who invites a young man (Thevan) in, seemingly benevolent—but as the film progresses, his manipulation, dominance and supernatural control become more disturbing. Cinema Express+1

• Mammootty’s performance is described as "menacing", evolving from subtle menace to outright evil. Critics note that he unleashes a side of darkness rarely seen in his prior work. Cinema Express

• His look and physical transformation are part of the role: the director asked Mammootty to appear older and more ominous than his usual image to fit the horror-folklore world of the film. The Times of India

• Thematically, his character stands for entrenched feudal power and the exploitation of myth/folk belief as a means to dominate others. The reviews highlight the caste, power and superstition motifs tied to Potty’s character. The Indian Express+1

Why this role is notable for Mammootty

• It marks a departure from his “hero” image: Instead of a traditional protagonist, he plays an antagonist/anti-hero role, leaning into horror and supernatural horror rather than mainstream drama. The New Indian Express+1

• The film is presented in black-and-white format (or heavily stylised toward monochrome) to enhance the mood of the era and horror aesthetic, making his visual presence more striking. The New Indian Express+1

• Reviewers say this might be one of Mammootty’s most chilling performances: his ability to change his voice, demeanour, expression and to carry horror back into Malayalam cinema was much talked about. The Indian Express+1

Key scenes & dynamics

• His initial entry into the story: Potty welcomes Thevan into the mana and requests a song from him, which sets the trapping mechanism of the story’s power dynamics. The Indian Express+1

• As the plot unfolds, Potty uses the legend of “Chaathan” (a folk spirit/devil figure in Kerala folklore) and his own lineage/power to control those around him, including the servant and Thevan. The Indian Express

• The gradual reveal of his evil: At first a quietly authoritative figure, he turns manipulative and then monstrous — the film builds to his full assertive evil towards the climax. Cinema Express+1

Contextual significance

• The role touches on folklore, caste, power, myth and horror — using a traditional Kerala setting to explore how power operates through ritual, fear and control. Reviews emphasise this as a major layer of the film. The Indian Express

• For Mammootty, the role says something about his willingness to experiment and to take up darker, more unconventional characters even in his later career. The director himself said he “wanted to break his glamorous image”. The Times of India

In short

Mammootty as Kodumon Potty is the anchor of Bramayugam’s horror-folklore world. He is powerful, unsettling and richly textured: a feudal patriarch whose calm poses mask a terrifying sovereignty over myth, people, and fear. The role allows Mammootty to go beyond heroism, delving into darkness and horror in a way that stands out in his filmography.