Mohanlal

Mohanlal Viswanathan, popularly known as Mohanlal, is an iconic Indian film actor, producer, playback singer, and distributor who has predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema, with a career spanning over four decades. Born on May 21, 1960, in Elanthoor, Kerala, India, Mohanlal made his acting debut in 1978 with the film Thiranottam, although it was Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980) that marked his official entry and overnight stardom as a villain. He swiftly transitioned into leading roles, becoming the quintessential everyman hero and redefining natural acting in Malayalam cinema. Known for his extraordinary versatility, Mohanlal has portrayed a diverse range of characters—from romantic leads to intense dramatic roles and powerful action heroes—earning him a reputation as one of India’s greatest actors.

Over his illustrious career, he has appeared in more than 350 films across languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. Some of his landmark performances include Kireedam (1989), Bharatham (1991), Vanaprastham (1999), Drishyam (2013), and Pulimurugan (2016), the latter of which became the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹100 crores at the box office. Mohanlal’s effortless dialogue delivery, subtle expressions, and ability to immerse himself completely into any role have won him immense critical acclaim and a massive fan following.

A recipient of numerous accolades, Mohanlal has won five National Film Awards, including Best Actor for Bharatham and Vanaprastham, and Special Jury Awards. He also holds nine Kerala State Film Awards and countless other honors. In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, and in 2019, the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest, recognizing his contributions to Indian cinema. Beyond films, Mohanlal has acted in several plays, served as a lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, and actively supports social and philanthropic causes. His enduring legacy lies not only in his record-breaking films but also in his immense influence on generations of actors and filmmakers across India.