One of the greatest living actors of Indian cinema, Mohan Lal, affectionately called ‘Lalettan’ to his fans, is a tour de force in the Malayalam film industry. He has worked as an actor, filmmaker, and playback singer and is known for his films like “T. P. Balagopalan M.A.,” “Padamudra,” “Chithram,” Kireedam,” “Bharatham,” “Kaalapani,” “Vanaprastham,” and many more.
Once the director calls for action, we act; we stop when he says ‘Cut.’ It is sort of like meditation – unknowingly, you are moving out of yourself, becoming someone else. That is why I consider acting a form of meditation.
Mohan Lal
Early Life and Career
Mohan Lal was born on May 21, 1960, in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. His father, Viswanathan Nair, served as a lawyer and later as Kerala’s law secretary. Mohanlal grew up in Thiruvananthapuram at his mother’s family home in Mudavanmugal. He had an older brother, Pyare Lal, who died during a military exercise. Young Mohanlal showed talent early, winning a Best Actor prize in school for playing a 90-year-old in the play Computer Boy.
Mohanlal attended Mudavanmukal LP School and later Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. He pursued a commerce degree at Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram. During college, he excelled in wrestling, securing the Kerala state championship in 1977-78. He also acted in stage plays with the Bharath Cine Group.
Mohan Lal – The Star
His first film, Thiranottam (1978), came at age 18. In the film he played a mentally challanged young boy. It released 25 years later due to censorship issues. His official debut arrived in 1980 with Manjil Virinja Pookkal, which catapulted him to fame. In the film he he played the Narendran, a character with shades of grey. This role set the tone for his early career.
In the initial phase of his career, Mohan Lal was often cast in antagonistic roles, which he portrayed with a finesse that caught the attention of both audiences and filmmakers.
In the 80s, he starred in many successful films like “Ente Mohangal Poovaninju,” “Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku,” “Engane Nee Marakkum,” “Iniyengilum,” “Attakkalasham,” “Kaliyil Alpam Karyam,” “Visa,” “Unaroo,” “Sreekrishna Parunthu,” “Ivide Thudangunnu,” “Poochakkoru Mookkuthi,” and many more.
As he progressed, Mohan Lal began to take on more complex and varied roles. The mid-1980s marked a significant shift as he transitioned to leading roles. His performances in films like “T.P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986),” espacially notable. For the film he gets the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor at the young age of 26.
The Biggest Name of Malayalam Cinema
The success of Rajavinte Makan (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986), Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986), and Nadodikkattu (1987) established him as the superstar of Malyalam cinema.
The late 1980s and 1990s saw Mohan Lal’s stardom solidify with a series of successful films. His films like “Padamudra,” “Chithram,” “Ulsavapittennu,” “Aryan,” and “Vellanakalude Nadu,” became big hits. He displayed his range by taking on roles that required a blend of action, romance, and drama. Films like “Irupatham Noottandu” and “Kireedam” became milestones in his career. Kireedam even gets him a Special Jury Mention at the National Film Awards.
He started the 90s with films like Bharathan’s “Thazhvaram (1991),” with Salim Ghosh, which became a cult classic. In “Bharatham,” he played a classical singer, whose own brother and guru get jealous of his success. Other successful films include “Kilukkam (1991),” “Kamaladalam (1992),” and “Devaasuram (1993).”
In 1994 came the Fazil-directed cult classic “Manichitrathazhu,” one of Malyalam Cinema’s most celebrated films. In the film he starred with Suresh Gopi, and Shobana. The film later remade several time in manye languages including Tamil, Telugi, Kannada and Hindi. Mohanlal continues to do exceptional work in films like Spadikam (1995),” Priyadarshan’s “Kaalapani,” Rajiv Anchal’s “Guru (1997),” Mani Ratnam’s biographical film “Iruvar (1997),” Lohithadas’s “Kanmadam (1998),” and “Harikrishnans (1998)” with Mammootty.
Mohan Lal Continue to Explore
Entering the new millennium, Mohan Lal continued to push boundaries. He explored various genres and took on challenging roles that required intense emotional depth. He won his second National Film Award for Best Actor for “Vanaprastham (1999).” As a Kathakali artist dealing with identity crisis, he showcased his ability to delve into the psyche of complex characters.
Mohan Lal followed it with films like “Narasimham (2000),” “Ravanaprabhu (2001),” “Praja (2001),” “Onnaman (2002),” “Thandavam (2002)” and “Chathurangam (2002),” “Kilichundan Mampazham (2003),” “Balettan (2003),” “Natturajavu (2004),” “Mambazhakkalam (2004),” “Udayananu Tharam (2005),” and “Thanmathra (2005).”
In 2002, he made his Hindi film debut with Ram Gopal Verma’s “Company.” His second Hindi film, “Ram Gopal Verma’s Aag,” came five years later, which was a disaster. Mohanlal then starred in “Twenty:20 (2008),” “Unnaipol Oruvan (2009),” with Kamal Haasan, and “Evidam Swargamanu,” which went on to become thumping successes.
In recent years, Mohan Lal has not shied away from experimenting with his craft. He has embraced changes in the film industry, adapting to new storytelling techniques and audience expectations. In 2013 he mesmerised the veiwers with his nuanced and multilayered performance in “Drishyam.” His portrayal of “Georgekutty,” a father who goes to great lengths to protect his family, gets widespread praise. The film’s intensity and nuanced storytelling made it a modern classic.
Later Work and Continuing Success
Mohan Lal has been at the top of his game for over four decades and shows no sign of stopping. He has given more hits in the last ten years than any other actor. Some of his biggest films includes “Alexander the Great (2010),” “Shikkar (2010),” “Christian Brothers (2011),” “Pranayam (2011),” “Grandmaster (2012),” “Spirit (2012),” Run Baby Run (2012),” “Lokpal (2013),” “Jilla” (2014),Peruchazhi” (2014), and “Loham(2015).”
“Doob maro is insaaf par, aasun bahao is kanoon par … joh kamzoron ke liye talwar ki dhaar, aur zabardast ke liye bagho-e-bahar hai … joh apne liye nagme-e-saaz, aur hamare liye maut ki awaaz hai”
Yahudi (1958)
“Janatha Garage (2016),” “Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (2017),” “1971: Beyond Borders (2018),” and “Lucifer (2019)” were followed by “Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham,” a period drama directed by Priyadarshan, which won the best feature film award in the 67th National Award. Mohan Lal starred in Aaraattu (2022), Alone (2023), and the action/thriller film Malaikottai Vaaliban, which was released on January 25, 2024.
His Craft
Mohan Lal’s approach to acting is often described as instinctive and intuitive, allowing him to deliver performances that are both authentic and compelling. Here are some insights into Mohan Lal’s acting techniques that have contributed to his remarkable career.
Mohanlal’s acting blends naturalism with versatility. He shifts seamlessly between comedy, drama, and action. His dialogue delivery, often with a unique rhythm, adds authenticity. In Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal, he played a non-alpha romantic lead, challenging norms with subtle expressions. His physical agility shines in comedies like Poochakkoru Mookkuthi. For Thanmathra, he portrayed an Alzheimer’s patient with precision, earning immense critical acclaim. Mohanlal debuted as a director with Barroz: Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure (2023), a fantasy adventure. He focused on immersive storytelling, blending myth and history.
Mohan Lal’s contribution to cinema goes beyond acting. He is a successful producer, a business magnate, a skilled playback singer, and has even donned the director’s hat. His dedication to the craft is evident in the numerous awards and accolades he has received. Over the years he have recieved five National Film Awards, and nine Kerala State Film Awards. He also gets the Padma Shri in 2001, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2019.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 2009, Mohanlal became the first Indian actor to receive the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. Mohanlal trained as an escape artist in 2008 under magician Gopinath Muthukad for a planned stunt. He received an honorary black belt in Taekwondo in 2012 from South Korea. He formed a band, Lalisom – The Lal Effect, in 2014, performing at the 2015 National Games.
Off-screen, Mohan Lal is known for his philanthropic efforts. He is the founder of the ViswaSanthi Foundation, which focuses on providing quality healthcare and education to the underprivileged. His commitment to social causes is as profound as his passion for cinema.
Mohanlal married Suchitra Balaji on April 28, 1988. Suchitra, daughter of producer K. Balaji, initially disliked his villain roles but grew to admire his talent. They have two children: Pranav Mohanlal and Vismaya Mohanlal. Pranav, an actor, debuted as a lead in Aadhi (2018). Vismaya works as an assistant director and writer, debuting with the short film Grahanam (2016). Mohanlal keeps his personal life private, rarely appearing publicly with family.
Mohan Lal’s evolution as an actor reflects his dedication to his art. He has consistently sought out roles that challenge him and allow him to express a wide range of emotions. His journey is a proof of his versatility and the depth of his talent, making him a true icon of Malayalam cinema and an inspiration to actors everywhere.
Mohan Lal on IMDB
