Mohanlal

The name Mohanlal epitomizes pure acting prowess. From being one of the first exponents of new age cinema in the 80’s Mohanlal is still part and wishes to be a part of the industry that is undergoing another creative renaissance and well he is a part of this new change. With numerous roles the actor has established himself as a versatile and complete actor. So much so that even his fingernails seem to act.

 

Mohanlal Early life- Mohanlal was born to Vishwanathan Nair and Shantakumari teacher on the 21st May, 1960. He grew up at Mudavanmugal, Poojappura in Thiruvanathapuram (Trivandrum). His father was employed in the Kerala Government Secretariat in the legal department. He attended the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum. He was an average student at school and was an active part of school plays and dramas. In the sixth grade the he earned the Best Actor Award given by the school which is usually reserved for tenth graders. After completing his schooling he joined the Mahatma Gandhi College and completed his graduation in Commerce.

 

Mohanlal Film Career- The actor wanted to become a star, and he shared a good friendship with likeminded individuals who had a similar affinity towards cinema in different ways.  The actor along with his friends Maniyanpilla Raju, TS Suresh made a film Thiranootam (1978). However due to various problems that arose as a result of the same the movie never released. This did not diminish the actors’ wishes and he tried with various chances. At the time Navodaya Studios was in search of new acting talent and his friends coaxed him to apply for the film he was selected and went on to star in his first Feature film Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980). The film was directed by Fazil and was both a commercial and a critical hit. According to the words of his co star, Mammotty, “Mohanlal entered the industry as a young blodded villian who every individual hated and yet wanted to see.” The actor went on star in many villainous roles thereafter.

 

By the 1983 the actor had almost 25 films like Ente Mohangal poovaniju, Iniyengilum, Visa, Attakalsham, Kaliyil Alppam Kariyam, Ente mamattikutiiyammakku, Engane Nee marakkum,Unaroo, & Sreekrishnaparunthu changed his villain image and it was through Sasikumar's "Ivide thudangunnu" he became a successful hero. Mohanlal played his first comic lead role in an ensemble cast, as a young man in love with a girl whom he mistakenly believes to be rich, in the 1984 comedy Poochakkoru Mookkuthi. 

 

Golden Era 

The 80’s can also be regarded as his golden period as he acted in many films that had a connect with the audiences. He at the time portrayed the unemployed malayli youth who had to suffer as a consequence of hostile conditions at work. He starred in a series of films that include T.P.Balagopalan M.A, Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam.

 

These films did well at the box office and were critically acclaimed. The film that established him as a superstar was Rajavinthe Makan (1986). In that particular year the actor appeared in as many as 36 film, a majority of which were a hit at the box office. The following year, Mohanlal starred with Sreenivasan and Shobana in the Sathyan Anthikkad’s comedy Nadodikkattu, which became a box-office success. Mohanlal and Sreenivasan reprised their roles as the detectives Dasan and Vijayan respectively in the sequels, Pattanapravesham (1988) and Akkare Akkare Akkare (1990). Thoovanathumbikal, directed by Padmarajan, in which he portrayed a person torn between his twin love interests, broke many stereotypes in Indian films, such as the leading man falling in love with a second woman immediately after he is rejected by the first.

 

The romantic comedy, Chithram, released in 1988, played for 365 days in a theatre, becoming the longest running Malayalam movie. Mohanlal won a Kerala State Special Jury Award in 1988 for his acting in the movies Padamudra, Aryan, Vellanakalude Nadu, Ulsavapittennu and Chithram. The actor proved himself both in mainstream and commercial films. The late 80’s and the 1990 saw the actor essay a series of haunting and emotional roles that made the audience think. It started with Sibi Malayil Kireedam (1989) that saw him essay the role of a son whose dreams of becoming a police officer are shattered after killing a goon. He followed it up with Varuvelpu (1989) in which he essayed the role of a youth who returns back with an intention to start of business and his life takes a whole different direction. 

 

The former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajypee citied this movie while stating the ignorance of the state toward economic development. In the 1990’s the actor started his own production company Pranvam Arts and His romantic comedy Kilukkam (1991) with Revathy is regarded as one of the most popular Malayalam films ever. His role in Bharatham as a Carnatic singer who is burdened by a jealous brother, earned him the National Award for Best Actor in 1991. Although not trained in classical dance, he portrayed a Bharatnatyam dancer in Kamaladalam (1992). He took help from his choreographer and his co-actors Vineeth and Monisha for enacting the dance scenes. Rajashilpi, Sadayam, Yoddha and Vietnam Colony were the other successful movies of Mohanlal in the same year.

 

The 1993 drama Devaasuram, written by Ranjith and directed by I. V. Sasi, was one of Mohanlal's most successful films and is regarded as a cult classic. In 1993 he delivered two more classics with films like Manchitrataru and Spadikam that were both critical and commercial hits. Priyadarshan ‘Kaalapani’(1998) was highly appreciated by critics and the actor followed it with movies like Kanamadam that was hit at the box office and Iruvar that which was based on the life of MGR and starred actress Aishwarya Rai. In 1999 the actor portrayed the tragic life of a Kathakali Artist in the film Vanaprastham  that was also critically acclaimed and became one of the first films to be co produced by fans. The film was a commercial hit. For suiting the role of a Kathkali Artist the actor trained in the art form before approaching the role. 

 

Turn of the millennium to now

The actor created a larger than life image for himself in the 2000’s. The actor starred in various action films like Ravanprabhu, Natturajavau, Thandavam and Chaturangam. Though these films did commercial business they were criticized for glorifying male chauvinism, repetitive talks and monotony of scripts. The actor was heavily criticized for the first time in his career for the choice of roles and also the monotony of roles. Seeking to reprieve this the actor acted in several comedy films like Kilichudan Mamabaram, Balettan, Hariharan Pilla Happy Annu and Mr. Brahmachari. These films received good reviews and were commercial success. During this time he also did his first Bollywood film Company. He earned the IIFA Best Actor for his performance. In 2005 he did films like Udayanu tharam and Thanmathra. These were two completely different films that were commercially and critically acclaimed.

 

In 2006 the actor worked with Sathyan Anthikkad’s Rasathantharam. The critics stated that despite Lal performed seem repetitive it pleased the audience in the way it should. Mohanlal then acted in Keertichakra where he appeared as an army officer and went on to do the other films of the franchise that is Kurushetra (2008) and Kandahar in (2010). 2007 was a good year for the actor his film Pardesi gained critical acclaim, while Chotta Mumbai and Hallo (2007) both did well at the box office. He next acted in Ram Gopal Varma Aag a remake of Sholay which was a failure at the box office  and his performance in the movie came in for sharp criticism. 2010 was not a favorable year for the actor barring Shikkar none of his films did well and he was severely criticized again. 

 

However in last months of 2011 the actor bounced back with the film Snehavedu which was hit at the box office and the actor was appreciated for his performance. His much awaited big budget film Cassanova was panned by critics and the film did not do well either. However the actor bounced back with his last films that include Grandmaster (2012), Spirits(2012) and Run Baby Run. These movies have both been critically acclaimed and have achieved success at the box office. He followed it by Karmayodha directed by

Major Ravi and Lokpal (2013) directed by Joshiy. His latest films at the box office was Red Wine and Ladies and Gentlemen. 

 

 

Mohanlal Upcoming movies- The actor’s upcoming movie projects include Jilla with Tamil Superstar Vijay. He is also set to do a cameo in  Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty directed by Ranjith and starring Mammotty. 

 

Mohanlal Business ventures- Mohanlal has also started several business ventures related to film production and distribution, restaurants and packaged spices among others. He owns Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, a Malayalam film distribution company and Vismayas Max, a film post-production studio and college for dubbing artists at Kinfra Film and Video Park, Trivandrum. He has produced films under the banner Pranvam. He owns many restaurants including a chain in Dubai called Mohanlal's Taste buds, Travancore Court in Kochi and The Harbour Market in Bangalore. He is also a partner in Mohanlal's Taste buds, a pickle and curry powder company. His other business ventures include Uni Royal Marine Exports – a Kozhikode-based seafood export company and Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre Kochi.

 

Mohanlal Acting and Filmography-The actor is one of the most versatile actors in the industry. He is also referred to as the one take actor. He has acted in 311 films and has produced about 35 films and has acted in four languages. He has acted in 4 professional plays and sang in 25 songs.

 

Mohanlal personal  Life- The actor lives in Thevara Kochi. He is married to Suchitra K. Balaji. The actor stated in one of his interviews that Suchitra used to send him letters. But their horoscopes did not match at first, it was later found that the astrologer has erred. The couple has two children Pranav and Vismaya. His son acted in some films as a child artist. The actor owns a house in Otty a flat in Burj Khalifa. The actor is a self described foodie. He also enjoys music and is a firm believer in fate an destiny which he often related with his accidental film career. In 2008 while acting in Kurushetra the actor expressed his interest to join the Territorial Army and was formally inducted in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The rules had to be apparently changed to accommodate him. Mohanlal was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady in 2010. The citation praised Mohanlal as "an excellent performer after actor Sathyan in Malayalam film world, who essayed a rich variety of roles with equal ease and poise.  

 

Mohanlal Controversies- Mohanlal, Mammotty, Dileep and Suresh Gopi were criticized for hoarding a major share of revenue and profits and at the same time was criticsed for the formulaic content, male oriented roles and high remunerations. The actor was also criticsed for his ad for liquor brand. There was also a discussion in the Kerala Assembly regarding the credibility of the actor. However the biggest controversy was that of Sukumaran Azhikode supporting Thilakan's accusations that AMMA had imposed an 'undeclared ban' on him. He added that Mohanlal was "a hypocrite who hid his advancing age to act with younger heroines".Mohanlal responded that Azhikode was having "hallucinations" and his remarks were "an aged-uncle's joke". This led to further personal remarks by Azhikode against Mohanlal.

 

Other actors like Mammotty and Innocent defended Mohanlal and the media was, in general, critical of the comments by Azhikode. Azhikode filed a defamation suit against Mohanlal in August 2010.However both parties did make peace with each other. Azhikode before he passed away met Mohanlal. The two reconciled their differences. The writer stared that that performance in Pranayam was supernal and he needed to back that with good and strong roles that justify the actor in him. The forest department filed a case against Mohanlal for keeping an elephant tusk at his home under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.