Mohanlal

Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair (born May 21, 1960), simply known by the stage name Mohanlal, is an Indian actor of mainly Malayalam movies. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He is enormously popular in the state of Kerala and, along with Mammootty, has had striking success in both mainstream and parallel cinema.

Contents

1 Biography 2 Criticism 3 Career 4 Awards 5 Productions 6 Awards and Achievements 7 Important films starring Mohanlal 8 External Links

Biography

Mohanlal was born in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state in India to Sri. Viswanathan Nair and Smt. Santhakumari. He did his schooling and graduation (B.Com from M. G. College) in Thiruvananthapuram. He is married to Suchitra and has two children, Pranav and Vismaya.

Criticism

Although largely unnoticed outside Kerala, Malayalam film critics and enthusiasts regard his work in the 80s and 90s to be among the very best in cinema. At its peak, his art was noted for its versatility, understated intensity, emotional depth, comedic timing, and the ability to portray characters that embodied the Malayali ethos.

Mohanlal is often considered to be one of the 'easiest' actors in India. At his best, he seems to take to heart Oscar Wilde's prescription: "To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim."

His best work spans a wide range. They include:

• Comedies (Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, Nadodikkattu, Kilukkam, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, and numerous others)
• Dramas
  • As a romantic hero (Bharatam, Thoovana Thumbikal)
  • As an intense villain (Amrutham Gamaya, Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Uyarangalil)
  • As an iconic antihero (Rajavinte Makan, Devasuram)
  • In parallel cinema (Vaastuhara, Vaanaprastham)
  • In crossover cinema (Iruvar, Kaala Paani)
• Tragedies (Sadayam, Kireedam)
• Musicals (His Highness Abdullah, Bharatam)
• Thrillers (Thazhvaram, Manichitrathazhu)

In the past few years, Mohanlal has been criticized for often playing larger-than-life characters, which do no justice to his talent. His voice, which used to be an important part of his allure, has faltered. There have been few roles of note recently, leading to much speculation that, although only 45, his best is behind him.

Career

While in college, he teamed up with his friends to establish a company called Bharath Cine Group and began shooting his first film titled Thiranottam, in which he played the role of a mentally retarded servant. But the film ran into trouble with the Censor Board and was never released.

His first major breakthrough came in the film Manjil Virinja Pookal (1980), in which he played a villain. The film was a major hit, and Mohanlal followed it up with more roles as a villain, most notably in Uyarangalil.

In the meantime, he ventured into comedies as well, playing a role in his director-friend Priyadarshan's debut, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, now a cult screwball classic.

Awards

He has won four State Awards and five Filmfare Awards to date. He won the National Special Jury Award for Kireedam (1989). He also won the National Best Actor Award twice - for Bharatham (1991) and Vaanaprastham (1999). Vaanaprastham was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.

Productions

Mohanlal has also produced films under his Pranavam Arts banner (Pranav is his son's name). Some films produced by Mohanlal: His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, Kala Pani, Vaanaprastham.

He also acted in "Iruvar" in Tamil, directed by famous Director Maniratnam and "Company" (in Hindi) directed by Ram Gopal Varma.

Awards and Achievements

• 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.
• 1991 Best Actor - Ulladakkam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu
• 1995 Best Actor - Kalapani, Spadikam
• 1999 Best Actor - Vaanaprastham

International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA)

• 2003 Best supporting Actor - Company

Critics Award

• 1988 Padamudra, Chitram
• 1991 Bharatam, Ulladakkam
• 1999 Vaanaprastham

FilmFare Awards

• 1986 Sanmasullavarkku Samadhaanam
• 1988 Padamudra
• 1993 Devasuram
• 1994 Pavitram
• 1995 Spadikam

National Film Academy

• 2000 Best Actor - Narasimham, Life is beautiful

Important films starring Mohanlal

1. Udayananu Tharam (2005)
2. Company (2002) (in Hindi)
3. Narashimham (2000)
4. Vaanaprastham (1999)
5. Kala Paani (1996)
6. Spadhikam (1995)
7. Manichitrathazhu (1993)
8. Rajashilpi (1992)
9. Bharatham (1991)
10. No: 20 Madras Mail (1990)
11. Akkare akkare akkare (1990)
12. His Highness Abdullah (1990)
13. Kireedam (1989)
14. Chithram (1988)
15. Kilukkam (1988)
16. Nadodikkattu (1987)
17. Thoovanathumbikal (1987)
18. Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986)
19. Thalavattam (1986)
20. Boeing Boeing (1985)
21. Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980)

(all the movies are in malayalam language, except indicated otherwise).

External Links

• IMDB entry for Mohanlal - includes complete filmography (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482320/)
• Official Mohanlal website (http://www.bharatmohanlal.com/)
• Mohanlal Online - Community website dedicated to Mohanlal (http://www.mohanlalonline.com/)
• BizHat.com - Photo Gallery of Mohanlal (http://movies.bizhat.com/actors/mohanlal_gallery.php)
• Photo Gallery of Mohanlal (http://www.keralapals.com/gallery/films.php?gallery=./mohanlal&lang=en_us)
• The Prince of Kerala - All about Mohanlal (http://www.theprinceofkerala.com/)