Upon receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award from President Draupadi Murmu in New Delhi on September 23, actor Mohanlal humbly confessed he had never “dared to dream” of such an honor. Yet, his remarkable artistic voyage, spanning nearly five decades with over 400 films and five National Film Awards, has been nothing short of a spectacular dream. At 65, and still commanding the screen, he remains undeniably one of the most influential figures in Malayalam cinema—a cultural titan who has inspired an entire generation of storytellers.
Born on May 21, 1960, in Elanthoor, Kerala, to Viswanathan Nair and Santhakumari, Mohanlal’s passion for acting blossomed early. In his sixth grade at Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram, he earned the Best Actor award for his portrayal of a 90-year-old in the play ‘Computer Boy’.
His cinematic debut arrived in 1978, at the age of 18, in ‘Thiranottam’, where he played a mentally challenged servant. This experimental film, a collaborative effort with close friends from his college days, including its director Ashok Kumar, faced censorship issues and never saw a full theatrical release.
The true turning point in Mohanlal’s career came in 1980. Director Fazil, seeking a fresh face for the antagonist in his debut film ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’, cast him as the menacing Narendran. With his distinctive curly hair and unique slanted posture, Mohanlal infused the villainous role with a compelling freshness. Despite featuring Shankar and Poornima Jayaram in lead roles, it was the captivating antagonist that became the talk of the town.
From that moment, there was no looking back. Mohanlal swiftly ascended to the top tier of Malayalam cinema, redefining stardom and dominating the industry alongside Mammootty throughout the first two decades of his career. He forged alliances with filmmakers who dared to chart a new course for Malayalam cinema, expertly blending commercial success with innovative storytelling.
In 1986, at just 26, Mohanlal secured his first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his heartfelt portrayal of a struggling common man in Sathyan Anthikad’s comedy-drama ‘T.P. Balagopalan M.A.’. This collaboration led to a string of popular films like ‘Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam’, ‘Gandhinagar 2nd Street’ (1986), ‘Nadodikattu’ (1987), and ‘Varavelpu’ (1989), solidifying his image as the beloved ‘man-next-door’.
Rise to Stardom and Critical Acclaim
The year 1986 also marked his entry into superstardom with the box-office smash ‘Rajavinte Makan’, where he effortlessly embodied an underworld don. A significant milestone arrived in 1989 when he earned a Special Mention at the National Film Awards for his remarkable portrayal of Sethumadhavan, a young man grappling with agony and pain, in Sibi Malayil’s cult-classic ‘Kireedam’. In 1991, his mastery of the craft reached new heights with a subtle yet captivating performance as a classical singer in ‘Bharatham’, also directed by Sibi Malayil, which earned him his maiden National Film Award for Best Actor.
Despite lacking formal Kathakali training, Mohanlal’s portrayal of Kunjikuttan in Shaji N. Karun’s acclaimed ‘Vanaprastham’ (1999), a film exploring an artist’s identity struggle, brought him his second National Film Award for Best Actor. He often recounted in interviews how Kathakali maestros, including Kalamandalam Gopi, who co-starred in the film, helped him grasp the intricate nuances of the traditional art form.
Filmmakers consistently praise his acting style as “natural, spontaneous, and intense.” Sibi Malayil observed, “His process involves deeply internalizing the character’s emotional landscape. Whether it’s the trembling of his hands as he touches his presumed-dead brother’s belongings in ‘Bharatham’ or the poignant climax of ‘Dasaratham’, both captured in close-up, he conjures an unparalleled magic. He never burdens himself with the weight of his characters.” His impeccable comic timing also fueled successful collaborations with his longtime friend, director Priyadarshan, resulting in beloved comedies like ‘Boeing Boeing’ (1985), ‘Vellanakalude Naadu’ (1988), ‘Kilukkam’ (1991), and ‘Thenmavin Kombath’ (1994). He also ventured into other language industries, albeit briefly, delivering a powerful performance as Anandan in Mani Ratnam’s political drama ‘Iruvar’ (1997) and collaborating with Ram Gopal Varma in the Hindi film ‘Company’ (2002).
While facing criticism for some script choices and repetitive larger-than-life roles after 2000, Mohanlal consistently bounced back, satisfying both critics and his devoted fanbase. Blockbuster hits like Vysakh’s ‘Pulimurugan’ (2016) and the immensely popular ‘Drishyam’ and ‘Lucifer’ franchises, directed by Jeethu Joseph and Prithviraj Sukumaran respectively, proved his enduring box-office prowess.
Recent Achievements and Future Ventures
The year 2025 appears to be particularly auspicious for Mohanlal, marked by the consecutive successes of Tharun Moorthy’s ‘Thudarum’ and Sathyan Anthikad’s ‘Hridayapoorvam’. Early in his career, he also ventured into film production, experiencing both triumphs and setbacks with notable productions such as ‘His Highness Abdullah’, ‘Bharatham’, and ‘Mithunam’. His passion for the stage led him to act in two Sanskrit plays, ‘Karnabharam’ and ‘Chayamukhi’. However, his directorial debut, the 3D fantasy drama ‘Barroz’, unfortunately did not fare well.
Mohanlal’s career has not been without its share of controversies, including legal issues related to the alleged illegal possession of ivory artifacts and the dissolution of the executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) under his leadership in August 2024, following the K. Hema Committee report on women’s issues in the Malayalam film industry. He also expressed regret for certain political and social themes in ‘L2: Empuraan’, the second installment of the ‘Lucifer’ franchise, after facing backlash from right-wing groups.
Mohanlal’s extensive body of work has earned him a multitude of accolades. In 2009, he was bestowed with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Territorial Army. The Union government recognized his contributions with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019. He now holds the distinct honor of being only the second film personality from Kerala, after filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. As he savors this prestigious recognition, an exciting array of new projects awaits this cinematic legend.