Mohanlal (b. 1962)
Malayalam star born in Trivandrum, Kerala. Unlike his contemporary Mammootty, with whom he dominated Kerala’s cinema in the 80s, his bulky physique makes for an unusual heroic figure. Moved to Madras where he acted in Thiranottam, an amateur production by actors and directors trying to get a break into films. Started professional acting career at Navodaya Studio. A villain in his early work (cf. his noted debut in the love story and stunt film Manjil Virinja Pookkal, and Attakkalasam starring Prem Nazir). Shifted to his bestknown 80s genre, musical comedy, with Engane Nee Marakkum. Was later associated closely with the foremost director of this genre, Priyadarshan (cf. their hits Chithram and Kilukkam). His films privilege comic routines, a Trivandrum-Malayalam accent and dances where the star often shows amazing agility. Director Priyadarshan says that in a Mohanlal dance, ‘I do not go in for well-rehearsed and conducted steps of dancing, but instead make the camera move according to the music.’ Mohanlal’s slightly spoofy, satirical musicals and romance dramas (which often end tragically) are sometimes contrasted with Mammootty’s grim, songless vendetta thrillers (New Delhi, 1987; Oru CBI Diary Kuruppu, 1988). Both stars often acted together, e.g. the hit Gandhinagar 2nd Street and I.V. Sasi’s political drama Vartha. Shifted his style to play an Eastwood-Leone figure in Bharathan’s Thazhvaram and a very unheroic officer in the rehabilitation ministry in Aravindan’s Vasthuhara.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1980: Manjil Virinja Pookkal; 1981: Ahimsa; Attamari; Dhanya; Dhruva Sangamam; Oothikachiya Ponnu; Sanchari; Thakilukottampuram; 1982: Padayottam; A Divasam; Akrosham; Ente Mohanangal Poovaninju; Enikkum Oru Divasam; Enthino Pookunna Pookal; Football; Kaliyamardhanam; Kelkatha Shabdam; Gnan Oru Parayatte; Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam; Shri Ayyappanum Vavarum; 1983: Engane Nee Marakkum; Attakkalasam; Adhipathyam; Akkare; Arabikadal; Asthram; Bhukambam; Chakravalam Chuvannappol; Ente Katha; Ente Mamattukuttiamma; Guru Dakshina; Hello Madras Girl; Himavahini; Iniyenkilum; Kattathe Kilikoodu; Kola Komban; Kuyiline Thedi; Marakkailo Rikalum; Naseema; Nanayam; Oru Mugham Pala Mugham; Pinninvalu; Sesham Kazhchayil; Visa; Yangana Nee Marakkum; 1984: Vanitha Police; Alkoottathil Thaniye; Adiyozhukkukal; Aduthaduthu; Appunni; Ariyatha Veethigal; Athirathram; Etha Ennumuthal; Ivide Thodangannu; Kaliyil Alpam Karyam; Kilikonchal; Kurisuyuddham; Lakshmana Rekha; Manasariyathe; Nayakan; Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum Nattu; Onnanu Nammal; Oru Kochu Swapnam; Pavam Poornima; Poochakkoru Mookuthi; Saundamevide? Bandamevide?; Shri Krishnaparunthu; Thirakal; Unaroo; Uyyarangalil; Vettah; 1985: Adhiyayam Odhu Mudhal; Angadikkapurathu; Anubandham; Aram Aram = Kinnaram; Avidathepole Ivideyum; Azhiyatha Bandhangal; Boeing Boeing; Ezhamuthal Onpathuvare; Guruji Oru Vakku; Ida Nilangal; Jeevante Jeevan; Kandu Kandarinju; Karimbin Poovinakkare; Koodum Thedi; Mulammoottil Adima; Neram Pularumbol; Jnan Piranna Nattil; Omanikkan Ormavaikkan; Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil; Pathamudayam; Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya; Rangam; Uyarum Jnan Naale; Vasantsena; 1986: Vartha; Pappan Priyapetta Pappan; Oppom Oppathinoppam; Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu; Panchagni; Abhayam Thedi; Desadanakkili Karayilla; Ninnishtam Ennishtam; Kunjatta Kiligal; Revathikkoru Pavakkutty; Hello My Dear-Wrong Number; Iniyum Kurukshetram; Kaveri; Gandhinagar 2nd Street; Doore Doore Koodu Kootam; Thalavattam; Sanmanassu Illavakkaru Samadhanam; Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal; 1987: Abhimanyu; January Oru Orma; Amritam Gamaya; Adimagal Udumagal; Sarvakalasala; Unnikale Oru Katha Parayam; Thoovana Thumbigal; Vazhiyora Kazhchagal; Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham; Cheppu; Nadodikattu; Irupatham Noottandu; 1988: Kilukkam; Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu; Ayitham; Orkapurathu; Padamudra; Pattana Praveshanam; Anuragi; Aryan; Moonnam Mura; Chithram; Manu Uncle; 1989: Utsavapittennu; Lal Americayil; Dauthiyam; Season; Varavelpu; Naduvazhigal; Kireedam; Vandanam; Dasharatham; Adipan; Thazhvaram; 1990: Vasthuhara; Indrajalam; His Highness Abdullah; Akkareakkareakkare; Aye Auto; No. 20 Madras Mail; 1991: Dhanam; Vishnulokam; Ulladakkam; Kizhakkunarum Pakshi; Advaitham; Rajashilpi; Sadayam; Bharatham; Uncle Bun; 1992: Kamalathalam; Agam; Yoddha; Nadodi; Vietnam Colony; 1993: Midhunam; Devasuram; Butterflies; Maya Mayuram; Gandharvam; Chenkol; Kalippattam; Manichithratharazu; 1994: Pavithram; Thenmavin Kombath; Pingami; Pakshey; Minnaram; 1995: Nirnayam; Spatikam; Thacholi Varghese Chevakar.