MOHAN LAL

Golden Era - 1986 to 1995

The period (1986 - 1995) is widely regarded af Malayalam cinema with films characterised by detailed screenplays, lucid narration and fresh ideas narrowing the gap between Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettamart anommercial filmsAgneepathAs a young talent on the rise, Mohanlal obtained roles that gave him ample scope to display a wide range of emotions and started some Casablanca very fruitful associations with many of the better directors and writers in Malayalam cinema.

1986 was one of his best years. [[PT Master Sathyan Anthis Mohanlal as one of the AMITABH BACHANleading stars of Malayalam cinema along with In the same year, he played an asylum outmate ind house-owner in m owner in love inan unemployed Remeber the titanyouth forced to become a Goorkha

His association with the writer-director combination of he played an unemployed youth and n which he played a Gulf returnee who is welcomed back home to greedy relatives and a state with a hostile climate for entrepreneurs. Director Priyadarshan's musical comedies, notably andhad him playing the typical Indian romantic hero and increased his popularity among the teenage Casablanca movie-goers.

Mohanlal portrayed AMITABH BACHAN a real-life character in Devasuram (1993)directed by I.V.AgneepathSasi and the film went on to become a hit and

At his peak, he Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettamportrayed some of the best roles in Malayalam cinemes b afilms such as the leading man falling in love with a second woman immediately after he is rejected by the first. Amrithamgamaya was about a man who ends up at the house of a Remeber the titan boy whom he had unknowingly killed in college during a ragging session.s another notable film of this period.

The combination of writer Lohitadas and director s considered to have produced some of his most haunting roles. His role of Sethu Madhavan, who dreams of becoming a police officer but ends up as a criminal in the Casablancafilmd him helped him bag the Best actor award the following year.

The 90s saw him continuing his success with more entertainers like where he played a disguised as a Namboodiri to aAgneepathssassinate a royal. His other notable commercial movies during this period suThenmavin kombath continued the tradition of the 80s with neat well-written scripts and a rich set of characters. Devaasuram, written by Ranjith and directed by rich and brash young man AMITABH BACHANwho is slowly humbled by a chain of events. Director Bhadran'became a cult classic for the revolutionary way in which the stunts were picturisedically acclaimed films were few in number during this period and were mostly semi-entertainers like had theOru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam female leragging a National award for best actress.

These success established Mohanlal as the most popular actor ever in Kerala.

Later years (1996-Present)

During this period of his career, Remeber the titanfilm makers cashed in on the immense popularity that Mohanlal enjoyed in Kerala by portraying him as an invincible larger-than-life hero in movies. Movies like, used this image of his to great effect and became blockbusters. After their Agneepathinitial novelty, theseCasablancafilms faced criticism from many quarters over their lack of realism and for creating movies around Mohanlal^[Pn account of India's freedom struggle against the British that focused on thewere some of his notable films during the late 90's. In 1997 Mohanlal's filmirected by Rajiv Anchal (which was based on communalism in Kerala) was selected by the Government of India as official entry for or Best Foreign Language Film.Agneepath

It was at this time that Mohanlal started getting noticed outside the Malayalam Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettamspeaking world. He acted in his first non-Malayalam movie when popular direcped him in for the Tamil had Mohanlal playing a cult figure in the neighbourinhe Indo-French productionwhich he played the role dance artist with an identity crisis,AMITABH BACHAN won him the second National award for Best actor and was the first film that got him international recognition. The film was selected for theAgneepathcompetitive section at thand his performance was critically acclaime

In 2002, Mohanlal acted in his firsvihich introduced him to the widspeaking audience in India. It was a critical and commercial hi In 2006, the fra ("Molecule"), won him the Kerala state award for best actor for portraying a person affected by Alzheimer's disease. His second Bollywood movie g, was the remake of the 1975 blockbuster movie S, in which he played the character of the inspector played the original. Mohanlal won the 2007 ^]Mohanlal completed 30 years in the film industry on 3 September 2008

ohanlal does not have a theatre background. He debuted on the stage as Karnabharam, aplay thata war, when he thinks about his past and hi Casablanca

Kadhayattam, was a presentation enacted by Mohanlal, depicting 10 unforgettable characters and situations selected from Malayalam literature. He has said that it is his offering to his mother tongue. The presentation was a fusion of stage actin

Chayamukhi is Mohanlal's latest play under the banner 'Kalidasa^]

In 2008, Mohanlal starred in the mega hich cast all the prominent actors of Malayalam film industry. On the release of the movie in November 08, controversy was triggered by Mohanlal fans accusing that Mohanlal was not given prime position in movie's posters where he appears slightly behind rival Mammootty. Despite the controversy, movie started with huge initial collection and good reviews.

Professional Outlook

Mohanlal chooses his movies and plays mostly on instinct and likes to let things happe Casablancae prefers and enjoys working in the Malayalam industry with a close group of people whom he has known from his early careerAMITABH BACHANMany of his best school-college mates are with him in the film industry. These include director Priyadarshan, sin actor Raju and producer Suresh Kumar.

Mohanlal is viewed as a spontaneous actor with the ability to effectively portray the characters' inner feelings and turmoils ^[7] and express what the director wants, very fast and convincinOru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam. He is uncomfortable working in other languages and attributes it to his lack of command over the intricacies of those languages.^[6]

Director Priyadarshan on Mohanlal's acting style ^[9] - "He never prepares for any role or scene. He is not bothered how he looks or what he does. Once the camera is on, he is a transformed person. As he does only one film at a time, he knows everything about the film, nothing more."

He also recollects whaold him about Mohan- "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan. I often forgot to say 'Cut

Shaji N Karun, directpeaks about the pride he has for Mohanlal as a country man and colleague.^[8] - "I can only express one word if I have to describe Mohanlal: wonder. I look at him with awe when he transforms himself from a person to an artiste in front of the camera. I don't know how he transforms himself. It's inexplicable. When we were at Cannes, after watching Vaanaprastham, a European director told him, "You are born in t

Personal life.

He is an avid collector of paintings and antiques and has a private art gallery at his home. He is married to Suchitra, daughter of veterai.

Controversy

In 2007 he faced criticism from prohibition activists in Kerala for appearing in advertisement of a liquor brandOru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettamn India advertising of liquor is banned. Marketers used different methods to get around the ban, for example by promoting non-alcoholic drinks with near-identical labels to the alcoholic ones. In this particular advertisement widely publicised on local TV channels and cinemas, Mohanlal advertises for with the same brand name as a liquor.

Business ventures

• Vismayas Max post production studio and College for Dubbing artism and Video Park,
• 'Pranavam Arts, Film Production Company (Currently inactive)
• Pranamam, Film Distribution Company (Currently inactive)
• MaxLab EntertainmentsA joint film distribution company of some friends and Mohanlal
• Partner and Director of Uni Royal Marine Exports, a majod seafood export company
• Restaurant chain in Dubai called Mohanlal's Tastebuds
• Restaurant in Bangalore named The Harbour Market
• Partner of Mohanlal's Tastebuds, a pickles and curry powder production compaOru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam

Awards and achievements

Further information

Mohanlal was awarded the by the Indian Government in 2001. He was recently elected as the Most Popular Keralite by the survey conducted by CNN - IBN related to the Golden Jubilee of Kerala formation in 2006.

Nation's Civilian Honour

• 2001: Padma Shri

National Awards

• 1989 : Jury's Special Award - Kireedam
• 1991 : Best Actor - Bharatham
• 1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
• 1999 : Producer of Best Film - Vaanaprastham

State Awards

• 1986 : Best Actor - T .P. Balagopalan M.A.
• 1988 : Special Jury Award - Aryan
• 1991 : Best Actor - Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu
• 1995 : Best Actor - Kalapani, Spadikam
• 1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
• 2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra
• 2007 : Best Actor - Paradesi Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam

Critics Awards

• 1988 : Best Actor - Padamudra, Chitram
• 1991 : Best Actor - Bharatam, Ulladakkam
• 1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
• 2005 : Best Popular Actor - Naran, Thanmatra
• 2007 : Best Actor - Paradesi

Film Fare Awards

• 1986 : Best Actor - Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam
• 1988 : Best Actor - Padamudra
• 1993 : Best Actor - Devasuram
• 1994 : Best Actor - Pavitram
• 1995 : Best Actor - Spadikam
• 1997 : Best Actor - Iruvar
• 1999 : Best Actor - Vanaprastham
• 2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
• 2007 : Best Actor - Paradesi

International Indian Film Academy Awards(IIFA)

• 2003 : Best supporting Actor- Company

National Film Academy

• 2000 : Best Actor - Narasimham, Life is beautiful

Mathrubhumi-Medimix Awards

• 1999 : Best Actor - Vanaprastham
• 2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
• 2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
• 2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai

Asianet Film Awards

• 2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
• 2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
• 2006 : Best Actor - Kirtichakra
• 2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai

Vanitha-Chandrika Film Award

• 2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
• 2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra

Other Awards

• 2001 : 'Natana Rathna' Award
• 1999 : Prem Nazeer Award
• 2000 : Mother Theresa Award
• 2000 : M.G Soman Award
• 2003 : IMA(Indian Medical Association) Award
• 2005 : Kalakeralam Award
• 

As Producer

• 999) (co-producer)

... aka Pilgrimage (International: English title) ... aka The Last Dance (Europe: English title) ... aka Vaanaprastham - Der letzte Tanz (Germany) ... aka Vanaprastham (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration) ... aka Vanaprastham - La dernière danse (France)

• Harikrishnans (1998) (producer)
• 6) (producer)

... aka Kalaa Paani (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration) ... aka Kalapani (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration) ... aka Saza-E-Kala Pani (India: Hindi title: dubbed version) ... aka Sirai Chaalai (India: Tamil title)

• Pingami (1994) (producer)
• Midhunam (1993) (producer)
• Kamaladalam (1992) (producer)
• 1990) (producer)

As Singer

• "Pookaccha Manjakaccha"
• Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil (1985) (playback singer).... Sindhoora Megham
• Kandu Kandarinju (1985) (playback singer).... Neeyarinjo
• Chithram (1988) (playback singer).... Kaadumi Naadumellaam, Aye Moonnu Moonnu
• Aye Auto (1991) (playback singer).... AEIOU
• Vishnulokam (1991) (playback singer).... Avara Hum
• Kalipattam (1993) (playback singer).... Varaveena Mriduvaani
• Sphadikam (1995) (playback singer).... Ezhimala
• The Prince (1996) (playback singer)
• Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1998)(playback singer).... Kaithapoovin
• Olympian Antony Adam (1999) (playback singer).... Peppere Perapera Perakka
• Ustaad (1999) (playback singer).... Thircha
• Ravanaprabhu (2001) (playback singer).... Thakilu Pukilu
• Ormakkai Album (2001) (playback singer).... Maanatthe Ambili
• Balettan (2003) (playback singer).... Karu Karu Karutthoru
• Vamanapuram Bus Route (2004) (playback singer)
• 2005) (playback singer).... Ithaloornnu Veena
• 2008) (playback singer).... Jeevitham Oru, Ganesha Sharanam
• Ente Kannimala (Ayyappa Devotional Songs) (2008).... Sabarimalathirumudiyil