Mohanlal
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Padmashri Lt. Col. Mohanlal
Born
Mohanlal VishwanathanMay 21, 1960 (1960-05-21) (age 48) Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Other name(s)
Lalettan, Lalu
Occupation
Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years active
1978 - Present
Spouse(s)
Suchitra (1988 - Present)
Official website
[show]Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Tamil ActorIruvar (1997)Best Malayalam Actor1986 Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam1988 Padamudra1993 Devasuram1994 Pavitram1995 Sphadikam1999 Vaanaprastham2005 Thanmathra2007Paradesi
National Film Awards
Best Actor1991 Bharatham1999 VaanaprasthamBest Film1999 VaanaprasthamSpecial Jury Award1990 Kireedam
Other awards
Kerala State Film Awards1986 T.P. Balagopalan M.A.1988 Special Jury AwardPadha Mudhra, Chithram, Utsavappittennu, Aryan, Vellanakalude Nadu1991 Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu1995 Kalapani, Spadikam1999 Vaanaprastham2005 Thanmatra2007 ParadesiIIFA Awards2003 Best Supporting ActorCompanyStar Screen Awards2003 Best Supporting ActorCompany
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair (Malayalam: മോഹന്ലാല് വിശ്വനാഥന് നായര്) (born May 21, 1960[1]), commonly known as Mohanlal or Lal, is an Indian film actor and producer , who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. A four-time National Award winner, Lal is famous for his versatility and natural acting style[2]. Mohanlal is best known for his movie roles of the late 80's and early 90's. His most notable roles include Dasan in Nadodikkattu, Sethu Madhavan in Kireedam, Gopi in Bharatham, Mangalassery Neelakandan in Devasuram, Anand in Iruvar, Kunhikuttan in Vanaprastham, and Thomas "Aadu Thoma" Chacko in Spadikam.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life (1960-1977)
2 Film career
2.1 Early years (1978-1985)
2.2 Golden Era - 1986 to 1995
2.3 Later years (1996-Present)
3 Professional Outlook
4 Personal life
5 Controversy
6 Business ventures
7 Awards and achievements
7.1 Civilian Honours
7.2 National Film Awards
7.3 Kerala State Film Awards
7.4 Kerala Film Critics Awards
7.5 Filmfare Awards
7.6 International Indian Film Academy Awards(IIFA)
7.7 Star Screen Awards
7.8 Mathrubhumi Awards
7.9 Asianet Film Awards
7.10 Vanitha-nippon Film Award
7.11 Other Awards
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
//
[edit] Early life (1960-1977)
Mohanlal was born in Pathanamthitta in Kerala, to Mr. Vishwanathan Nair, a government employee, and Mrs. Santhakumari. However, he grew up in Mudavanmugal, Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)as his father was employed in the Kerala Secretariat in the legal department. He attended the local school in Mudavanmugal and later enrolled into the Govt. Model Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. An average student at school, he started his association with the world of acting very early, when he used to participate in school-plays. In the sixth grade, young Mohanlal was chosen the best actor in school, an award that was usually bagged by tenth graders.[citation needed]
After schooling, he joined Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvanathapuram (Under Kerala University) for his bachelors degree. He continued his association with acting and won numerous best actor awards[3]. It was here that he met a group of fellow-students, who were passionate about theatre and feature films[citation needed]. They were instrumental in getting him his first breakthrough and some of them, notably Priyadarshan and Manian Pilla Raju, went on to become popular movie director and actor.
[edit] Film career
For a full list of Mohanlal's films, please refer to Filmography of Mohanlal
[edit] Early years (1978-1985)
Lal's first film was "Thiranottam" (1978). The film ran into trouble with the Censor Board and was never released. His breakthrough came in 1980, at the age of 20, when he was selected for the role of the antagonist, in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. He had no dearth of opportunities after this and he played roles of gradually increasing importance in a number of movies in the following years. In the year 1983, he was credited in more than 25 feature films. Uyarangalil, a story of cheating and deception, written by noted script-writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by I. V. Sasi was the highlight of this period. He then expanded into comic roles in his director-friend and college mate Priyadarshan's debut Poochakkoru Mookkuthi.
[edit] Golden Era - 1986 to 1995
The period (1986 - 1995) is widely regarded as the golden age of Malayalam cinema with films characterised by detailed screenplays, lucid narration and fresh ideas narrowing the gap between art and commercial films[4]. As a young talent on the rise, Mohanlal obtained roles that gave him ample scope to display a wide range of emotions and started some very fruitful associations with many of the better directors and writers in Malayalam cinema.
1986 was one of his best years. Sathyan Anthikkad's T.P. Balagopalan M.A. got him his first Kerala State award for best actor. His role of an underworld don in Rajavinte Makan saw the emergence of Mohanlal as one of the leading stars of Malayalam cinema. In the same year, he played an asylum outmate in Thalavattam, a harassed house-owner in Sanmanassu Ullavarku Samadhanam, a journalist in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Panchagni, a farm owner in love in Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and an unemployed youth forced to become a Goorkha in Gandhi Nagar 2nd street. Another notable role of his
His association with the writer-director combination of Sreenivasan and Sathyan Anthikkad, who excelled in making socially hard-hitting satires, resulted in films such as Nadodikkattu, in which he played an unemployed youth and Varavelpu, in 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 Chithram and Kilukkam had him playing the typical Indian romantic hero and increased his popularity among the teenage movie-goers.
At his peak, he portrayed some of the best roles in Malayalam cinema in movies by Padmarajan and Bharathan.[5][6] Thoovanathumbikal 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. Amrithamgamaya was about a man who ends up at the house of a boy whom he had unknowingly killed in college during a ragging session. Thazhvaram was another notable film of this period. He played Aniyan Thampuran in Bharath Gopi's Ulsavapittennu (1989), co-starring with Sukumaran and Parvathy.
The combination of writer Lohithadas and director Sibi Malayil is 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 film Kireedam earned him a Special Jury Award. Another role of a classical singer who is burdened by the jealousy and final death of his singer brother in Bharatham earned him the Best actor award the following year.
The 90s saw him continuing his success with more entertainers like His Highness Abdullah, where he played a Muslim disguised as a Namboodiri to assassinate a royal. His other notable commercial movies during this period such as Midhunam, Minnaram, Thenmavin 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 I. V. Sasi, set in the feudal atmosphere of central Kerala, was particularly noted for Mohanlal's portrayal of a proud, rich and brash young man who is slowly humbled by a chain of events. Director Bhadran's Spadikam became a cult classic for the revolutionary way in which the stunts were shot. [7] Critically acclaimed films were few in number during this period and were mostly semi-entertainers like Manichitrathazhu, which had the female lead Shobhana bagging a National award for best actress.
[edit] Later years (1996-Present)
During this period of his career, film 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 Aaram Thamburan, Narasimham, Naran used this image of his to great effect and became blockbusters. After their initial novelty, these films faced criticism from many quarters over their lack of realism and for creating movies around Mohanlal[citation needed]. Priyadarshan's Kalapani, an account of India's freedom struggle against the British that focused on the Cellular prisons of Andaman islands and Lohithadas's Kanmadam were some of his notable films during the late 90's. In 1997 Mohanlal's film Guru directed by Rajiv Anchal (which was based on communalism in Kerala) was selected by the Government of India as official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Mohanlal,Mammootty,Juhi Chawla,Sharukh Khan in the abandoned climax of 'Harikrishnans'
It was at this time that Mohanlal started getting noticed outside the Malayalam speaking world. He acted in his first non-Malayalam movie when popular director Mani Ratnam roped him in for the Tamil film Iruvar. It had Mohanlal playing MGR, a cult figure in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The Indo-French production, Vaanaprastham, in which he played the role of a Kathakali dance artist with an identity crisis, won him the second National award for Best actor and was the first film that got him international recognition. The film was selected for the competitive section at the Cannes film festival and his performance was critically acclaimed.[8]
In 2002, Mohanlal acted in his first Bollywood movie, Company, which introduced him to the wider Hindi speaking audience in India. It was a critical and commercial hit.[9] In 2006, the film Thanmathra ("Molecule"), won him the Kerala state award for best actor for portraying a person affected by Alzheimer's disease. His second Bollywood movie Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, was the remake of the 1975 blockbuster movie Sholay, in which he played the character of the inspector played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original. Mohanlal won the 2007 Kerala state award for Best Actor for his performance as Valiakathu Moosa in the movie Paradesi. [10] Mohanlal completed 30 years in the film industry on 3 September 2008.
In the National award winning role as a kathakali artist in Vaanaprastham Mohanlal did not have any theatre background. He debuted on the stage as Karna in Karnabharam, a Sanskrit play that was premiered in Delhi as part of the National Theatre Festival. The play depicts Karna's mental agony a day before the Kurukshetra war, when he thinks about his past and his faith.[11]
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 acting, movie expression, sound and lighting techniques and music, conceived by film director T.K. Rajeev Kumar.[12]
Chayamukhi is Mohanlal's latest play under the banner 'Kalidasa Visual Magic' - a production house promoted jointly by Mohanlal and another well-known Malayalam actor Mukesh.[13]
In 2008, Mohanlal starred in the mega movie Twenty:20 which 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. Mohanlal was slightly given more importance than Mammootty in the movie.
"Red Chillies", his first release of 2009 came out on valentine's day is expecting to be a major hit in the industry since no other movies are out now for competition. Its an action oriented film in which he plays a role of a FM-radio station owner. The film is directed by Shaji Kailas who have done many such films with the actor, many of them have broken collection records in box office.
Mohanlal is doing and Indo-japanese movie called Nairsan co-starring Jackie Chan. He is also doing a movie called Sagar alias Jackie which is a second movie of Irupatham Noottandu (1987).
[edit] Professional Outlook
Mohanlal chooses his movies and plays mostly on instinct and likes to let things happen.[14]He prefers and enjoys working in the Malayalam industry with a close group of people whom he has known from his early career[3]. Many of his best school-college mates are with him in the film industry. These include director Priyadarshan, singer M. G. Sreekumar, 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 [15] and express what the director wants, very fast and convincingly[16]. He is uncomfortable working in other languages and attributes it to his lack of command over the intricacies of those languages.[14]
Director Priyadarshan on Mohanlal's acting style [17] - "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 what Mani Ratnam told him about Mohanlal[17] - "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan. I often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar."
Shaji N. Karun, director of Vaanaprastham speaks about the pride he has for Mohanlal as a country man and colleague.[16] - "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 the wrong part of the world." I felt very proud, but I argued back, saying "Who said he was on the wrong side?"[18]
[edit] 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 veteran Tamil actor-producer K. Balaji. The couple have two children, Pranav and Vismaya. He is currently settled in Chennai.
[edit] Controversy
In 2007 he faced criticism from prohibition activists in Kerala for appearing in advertisement of a liquor brand.[19] In 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 banana chips with the same brand name as a liquor.
[edit] Business ventures
Vismayas Max website, Film post production studio and College for Dubbing artists at Kinfra film and Video Park, Kazhakoottam, Trivandrum
'Pranavam Arts, Film Production Company (Currently inactive)
Pranamam, Film Distribution Company (Currently inactive)
MaxLab Entertainments website - A joint film distribution company of some friends and Mohanlal
Partner and Director of Uni Royal Marine Exports, a major Kozhikode-based 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 company[20]
[edit] Awards and achievements
Further information: List of Mohanlal’s awards, honors and recognitions
Mohanlal was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian Government in 2001. He was elected as the Most Popular Keralite in a survey conducted by the National news channel CNN-IBN related to the Golden Jubilee of Kerala formation in 2006.
[edit] Civilian Honours
Mohanlal receiving Padmashri from the President K.R. Narayanan
2008: Lieutenant Colonel designation by the Indian Territorial Army
2001: Padma Shri by the Govt. of India
[edit] National Film Awards
1988 : Special Jury Award - Kireedam
1991 : Best Actor - Bharatham
1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
1999 : Producer of Best Film - Vaanaprastham
[edit] Kerala State Film Awards
1986 : Best Actor - T .P. Balagopalan M.A.
1988 : Special Jury Award - Aryan
1991 : Best Actor - Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu
1991 : Producer of second best film (Bharatham)
1995 : Best Actor - Kalapani, Spadikam
1995 : Producer of second best film (Kalapani)
2002 : Popular Actor (Ravanaprabhu)
1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra
2007 : Best Actor - Paradesi
[edit] Kerala Film 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
2008 : Best Actor - Kurukshetra, Pakal Nakshatrangal
[edit] Filmfare Awards
1986 : Best Actor - Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaana
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
[edit] International Indian Film Academy Awards(IIFA)
2003 : Best supporting Actor- Company
[edit] Star Screen Awards
2003 : Best supporting Actor- Company
[edit] Mathrubhumi Awards
1999 : Best Actor - Vanaprastham
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai
2008 : Best Actor - Aakashagopuram, Kurukshetra, Pakal Nakshatrangal
[edit] Asianet Film Awards
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
2006 : Best Actor - Kirtichakra
2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai
2008 : Best Actor - Madambi
[edit] Vanitha-nippon Film Award
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra
2007 : Most Popular Actor
2008 : Best Actor - Madampi, Aakashagopuram, Twenty20
[edit] Other Awards
1999 Prem Nazir Award
2000 Mother Teresa Award
2000 M. G. Soman Award
2001 Natana Ratna Award - Film Critics
2001 First Most Popular Actor Award
2002 Film Express Award (Karnataka State Government)
2003 Chalachitra Ratna Award
2004 Indian Medical Association Award
2005 Kala Keralam Award
2005 J. C. Foundation Award
2005 National Film Academy Award
2005 Popular Actor - Film Critics Award
2006 Amrita TV Best Actor
2006 Jeevan TV Best Actor
2006 Akashavani Best Actor
2006 Mathrubhumi Excellent Actor
2006 Most Popular Keralite by a survey conducted by CNN IBN related to the Silver Jubilee of Kerala formation.
2007 JaiHind TV Best Actor
2008 Annual Malayalam Movie Awards(Dubai) Best Actor
2008 KPCC Panampilli Prathibha Award
2008 Pazhassi Raja Abhinaya Shreshta Award
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Padmashri Lt. Col. Mohanlal
Born
Mohanlal VishwanathanMay 21, 1960 (1960-05-21) (age 48) Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Other name(s)
Lalettan, Lalu
Occupation
Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years active
1978 - Present
Spouse(s)
Suchitra (1988 - Present)
Official website
[show]Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Tamil ActorIruvar (1997)Best Malayalam Actor1986 Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam1988 Padamudra1993 Devasuram1994 Pavitram1995 Sphadikam1999 Vaanaprastham2005 Thanmathra2007Paradesi
National Film Awards
Best Actor1991 Bharatham1999 VaanaprasthamBest Film1999 VaanaprasthamSpecial Jury Award1990 Kireedam
Other awards
Kerala State Film Awards1986 T.P. Balagopalan M.A.1988 Special Jury AwardPadha Mudhra, Chithram, Utsavappittennu, Aryan, Vellanakalude Nadu1991 Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu1995 Kalapani, Spadikam1999 Vaanaprastham2005 Thanmatra2007 ParadesiIIFA Awards2003 Best Supporting ActorCompanyStar Screen Awards2003 Best Supporting ActorCompany
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair (Malayalam: മോഹന്ലാല് വിശ്വനാഥന് നായര്) (born May 21, 1960[1]), commonly known as Mohanlal or Lal, is an Indian film actor and producer , who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. A four-time National Award winner, Lal is famous for his versatility and natural acting style[2]. Mohanlal is best known for his movie roles of the late 80's and early 90's. His most notable roles include Dasan in Nadodikkattu, Sethu Madhavan in Kireedam, Gopi in Bharatham, Mangalassery Neelakandan in Devasuram, Anand in Iruvar, Kunhikuttan in Vanaprastham, and Thomas "Aadu Thoma" Chacko in Spadikam.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life (1960-1977)
2 Film career
2.1 Early years (1978-1985)
2.2 Golden Era - 1986 to 1995
2.3 Later years (1996-Present)
3 Professional Outlook
4 Personal life
5 Controversy
6 Business ventures
7 Awards and achievements
7.1 Civilian Honours
7.2 National Film Awards
7.3 Kerala State Film Awards
7.4 Kerala Film Critics Awards
7.5 Filmfare Awards
7.6 International Indian Film Academy Awards(IIFA)
7.7 Star Screen Awards
7.8 Mathrubhumi Awards
7.9 Asianet Film Awards
7.10 Vanitha-nippon Film Award
7.11 Other Awards
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
//
[edit] Early life (1960-1977)
Mohanlal was born in Pathanamthitta in Kerala, to Mr. Vishwanathan Nair, a government employee, and Mrs. Santhakumari. However, he grew up in Mudavanmugal, Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)as his father was employed in the Kerala Secretariat in the legal department. He attended the local school in Mudavanmugal and later enrolled into the Govt. Model Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. An average student at school, he started his association with the world of acting very early, when he used to participate in school-plays. In the sixth grade, young Mohanlal was chosen the best actor in school, an award that was usually bagged by tenth graders.[citation needed]
After schooling, he joined Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvanathapuram (Under Kerala University) for his bachelors degree. He continued his association with acting and won numerous best actor awards[3]. It was here that he met a group of fellow-students, who were passionate about theatre and feature films[citation needed]. They were instrumental in getting him his first breakthrough and some of them, notably Priyadarshan and Manian Pilla Raju, went on to become popular movie director and actor.
[edit] Film career
For a full list of Mohanlal's films, please refer to Filmography of Mohanlal
[edit] Early years (1978-1985)
Lal's first film was "Thiranottam" (1978). The film ran into trouble with the Censor Board and was never released. His breakthrough came in 1980, at the age of 20, when he was selected for the role of the antagonist, in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. He had no dearth of opportunities after this and he played roles of gradually increasing importance in a number of movies in the following years. In the year 1983, he was credited in more than 25 feature films. Uyarangalil, a story of cheating and deception, written by noted script-writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by I. V. Sasi was the highlight of this period. He then expanded into comic roles in his director-friend and college mate Priyadarshan's debut Poochakkoru Mookkuthi.
[edit] Golden Era - 1986 to 1995
The period (1986 - 1995) is widely regarded as the golden age of Malayalam cinema with films characterised by detailed screenplays, lucid narration and fresh ideas narrowing the gap between art and commercial films[4]. As a young talent on the rise, Mohanlal obtained roles that gave him ample scope to display a wide range of emotions and started some very fruitful associations with many of the better directors and writers in Malayalam cinema.
1986 was one of his best years. Sathyan Anthikkad's T.P. Balagopalan M.A. got him his first Kerala State award for best actor. His role of an underworld don in Rajavinte Makan saw the emergence of Mohanlal as one of the leading stars of Malayalam cinema. In the same year, he played an asylum outmate in Thalavattam, a harassed house-owner in Sanmanassu Ullavarku Samadhanam, a journalist in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Panchagni, a farm owner in love in Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and an unemployed youth forced to become a Goorkha in Gandhi Nagar 2nd street. Another notable role of his
His association with the writer-director combination of Sreenivasan and Sathyan Anthikkad, who excelled in making socially hard-hitting satires, resulted in films such as Nadodikkattu, in which he played an unemployed youth and Varavelpu, in 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 Chithram and Kilukkam had him playing the typical Indian romantic hero and increased his popularity among the teenage movie-goers.
At his peak, he portrayed some of the best roles in Malayalam cinema in movies by Padmarajan and Bharathan.[5][6] Thoovanathumbikal 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. Amrithamgamaya was about a man who ends up at the house of a boy whom he had unknowingly killed in college during a ragging session. Thazhvaram was another notable film of this period. He played Aniyan Thampuran in Bharath Gopi's Ulsavapittennu (1989), co-starring with Sukumaran and Parvathy.
The combination of writer Lohithadas and director Sibi Malayil is 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 film Kireedam earned him a Special Jury Award. Another role of a classical singer who is burdened by the jealousy and final death of his singer brother in Bharatham earned him the Best actor award the following year.
The 90s saw him continuing his success with more entertainers like His Highness Abdullah, where he played a Muslim disguised as a Namboodiri to assassinate a royal. His other notable commercial movies during this period such as Midhunam, Minnaram, Thenmavin 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 I. V. Sasi, set in the feudal atmosphere of central Kerala, was particularly noted for Mohanlal's portrayal of a proud, rich and brash young man who is slowly humbled by a chain of events. Director Bhadran's Spadikam became a cult classic for the revolutionary way in which the stunts were shot. [7] Critically acclaimed films were few in number during this period and were mostly semi-entertainers like Manichitrathazhu, which had the female lead Shobhana bagging a National award for best actress.
[edit] Later years (1996-Present)
During this period of his career, film 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 Aaram Thamburan, Narasimham, Naran used this image of his to great effect and became blockbusters. After their initial novelty, these films faced criticism from many quarters over their lack of realism and for creating movies around Mohanlal[citation needed]. Priyadarshan's Kalapani, an account of India's freedom struggle against the British that focused on the Cellular prisons of Andaman islands and Lohithadas's Kanmadam were some of his notable films during the late 90's. In 1997 Mohanlal's film Guru directed by Rajiv Anchal (which was based on communalism in Kerala) was selected by the Government of India as official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Mohanlal,Mammootty,Juhi Chawla,Sharukh Khan in the abandoned climax of 'Harikrishnans'
It was at this time that Mohanlal started getting noticed outside the Malayalam speaking world. He acted in his first non-Malayalam movie when popular director Mani Ratnam roped him in for the Tamil film Iruvar. It had Mohanlal playing MGR, a cult figure in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The Indo-French production, Vaanaprastham, in which he played the role of a Kathakali dance artist with an identity crisis, won him the second National award for Best actor and was the first film that got him international recognition. The film was selected for the competitive section at the Cannes film festival and his performance was critically acclaimed.[8]
In 2002, Mohanlal acted in his first Bollywood movie, Company, which introduced him to the wider Hindi speaking audience in India. It was a critical and commercial hit.[9] In 2006, the film Thanmathra ("Molecule"), won him the Kerala state award for best actor for portraying a person affected by Alzheimer's disease. His second Bollywood movie Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, was the remake of the 1975 blockbuster movie Sholay, in which he played the character of the inspector played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original. Mohanlal won the 2007 Kerala state award for Best Actor for his performance as Valiakathu Moosa in the movie Paradesi. [10] Mohanlal completed 30 years in the film industry on 3 September 2008.
In the National award winning role as a kathakali artist in Vaanaprastham Mohanlal did not have any theatre background. He debuted on the stage as Karna in Karnabharam, a Sanskrit play that was premiered in Delhi as part of the National Theatre Festival. The play depicts Karna's mental agony a day before the Kurukshetra war, when he thinks about his past and his faith.[11]
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 acting, movie expression, sound and lighting techniques and music, conceived by film director T.K. Rajeev Kumar.[12]
Chayamukhi is Mohanlal's latest play under the banner 'Kalidasa Visual Magic' - a production house promoted jointly by Mohanlal and another well-known Malayalam actor Mukesh.[13]
In 2008, Mohanlal starred in the mega movie Twenty:20 which 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. Mohanlal was slightly given more importance than Mammootty in the movie.
"Red Chillies", his first release of 2009 came out on valentine's day is expecting to be a major hit in the industry since no other movies are out now for competition. Its an action oriented film in which he plays a role of a FM-radio station owner. The film is directed by Shaji Kailas who have done many such films with the actor, many of them have broken collection records in box office.
Mohanlal is doing and Indo-japanese movie called Nairsan co-starring Jackie Chan. He is also doing a movie called Sagar alias Jackie which is a second movie of Irupatham Noottandu (1987).
[edit] Professional Outlook
Mohanlal chooses his movies and plays mostly on instinct and likes to let things happen.[14]He prefers and enjoys working in the Malayalam industry with a close group of people whom he has known from his early career[3]. Many of his best school-college mates are with him in the film industry. These include director Priyadarshan, singer M. G. Sreekumar, 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 [15] and express what the director wants, very fast and convincingly[16]. He is uncomfortable working in other languages and attributes it to his lack of command over the intricacies of those languages.[14]
Director Priyadarshan on Mohanlal's acting style [17] - "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 what Mani Ratnam told him about Mohanlal[17] - "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan. I often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar."
Shaji N. Karun, director of Vaanaprastham speaks about the pride he has for Mohanlal as a country man and colleague.[16] - "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 the wrong part of the world." I felt very proud, but I argued back, saying "Who said he was on the wrong side?"[18]
[edit] 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 veteran Tamil actor-producer K. Balaji. The couple have two children, Pranav and Vismaya. He is currently settled in Chennai.
[edit] Controversy
In 2007 he faced criticism from prohibition activists in Kerala for appearing in advertisement of a liquor brand.[19] In 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 banana chips with the same brand name as a liquor.
[edit] Business ventures
Vismayas Max website, Film post production studio and College for Dubbing artists at Kinfra film and Video Park, Kazhakoottam, Trivandrum
'Pranavam Arts, Film Production Company (Currently inactive)
Pranamam, Film Distribution Company (Currently inactive)
MaxLab Entertainments website - A joint film distribution company of some friends and Mohanlal
Partner and Director of Uni Royal Marine Exports, a major Kozhikode-based 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 company[20]
[edit] Awards and achievements
Further information: List of Mohanlal’s awards, honors and recognitions
Mohanlal was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian Government in 2001. He was elected as the Most Popular Keralite in a survey conducted by the National news channel CNN-IBN related to the Golden Jubilee of Kerala formation in 2006.
[edit] Civilian Honours
Mohanlal receiving Padmashri from the President K.R. Narayanan
2008: Lieutenant Colonel designation by the Indian Territorial Army
2001: Padma Shri by the Govt. of India
[edit] National Film Awards
1988 : Special Jury Award - Kireedam
1991 : Best Actor - Bharatham
1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
1999 : Producer of Best Film - Vaanaprastham
[edit] Kerala State Film Awards
1986 : Best Actor - T .P. Balagopalan M.A.
1988 : Special Jury Award - Aryan
1991 : Best Actor - Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu
1991 : Producer of second best film (Bharatham)
1995 : Best Actor - Kalapani, Spadikam
1995 : Producer of second best film (Kalapani)
2002 : Popular Actor (Ravanaprabhu)
1999 : Best Actor - Vaanaprastham
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra
2007 : Best Actor - Paradesi
[edit] Kerala Film 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
2008 : Best Actor - Kurukshetra, Pakal Nakshatrangal
[edit] Filmfare Awards
1986 : Best Actor - Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaana
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
[edit] International Indian Film Academy Awards(IIFA)
2003 : Best supporting Actor- Company
[edit] Star Screen Awards
2003 : Best supporting Actor- Company
[edit] Mathrubhumi Awards
1999 : Best Actor - Vanaprastham
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai
2008 : Best Actor - Aakashagopuram, Kurukshetra, Pakal Nakshatrangal
[edit] Asianet Film Awards
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmathra
2006 : Best Actor - Kirtichakra
2007 : Popular Actor - Hallo, Chotta Mumbai
2008 : Best Actor - Madambi
[edit] Vanitha-nippon Film Award
2003 : Best Actor - Balettan
2005 : Best Actor - Thanmatra
2007 : Most Popular Actor
2008 : Best Actor - Madampi, Aakashagopuram, Twenty20
[edit] Other Awards
1999 Prem Nazir Award
2000 Mother Teresa Award
2000 M. G. Soman Award
2001 Natana Ratna Award - Film Critics
2001 First Most Popular Actor Award
2002 Film Express Award (Karnataka State Government)
2003 Chalachitra Ratna Award
2004 Indian Medical Association Award
2005 Kala Keralam Award
2005 J. C. Foundation Award
2005 National Film Academy Award
2005 Popular Actor - Film Critics Award
2006 Amrita TV Best Actor
2006 Jeevan TV Best Actor
2006 Akashavani Best Actor
2006 Mathrubhumi Excellent Actor
2006 Most Popular Keralite by a survey conducted by CNN IBN related to the Silver Jubilee of Kerala formation.
2007 JaiHind TV Best Actor
2008 Annual Malayalam Movie Awards(Dubai) Best Actor
2008 KPCC Panampilli Prathibha Award
2008 Pazhassi Raja Abhinaya Shreshta Award
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