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Mohanlal Biography |
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His long time friend and ace director Priyadarshan rates him as the best actor in the world. The irresistible Mani Ratnam says he is the most natural actor in India. Some critics opine he is more versatile an actor than the legendary Kamal Hasan. Few will dispute the fact that there aren’t many actors on Indian screen who can handle both comic and serious roles with the same panache of his. No prize for guessing him right. He is Mohan Lal, the reigning super star of Malayalam cinema.
Though praise is lavishly bestowed on him time and again by the biggies in the film world, much is not known about Mohan Lal outside Kerala. One reason for this publicity shy is his humble nature. But that is off the screen. On screen he is different person. He has no inhibitions whatsoever when it comes to expressing a range of complex emotions. Be it the intricate feelings of a Kathakali artiste caught between the reality and myth (Vanaprastham) or the simpleton nature of jobless youth (Nadodikatte), emotions just flash across his face effortlessly.
Mohan Lal, who has been around for nearly two decades now, made his debut in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. Though he fist appeared as a villain, he nevertheless left an indelible mark in the minds of audience.
He worked his way to the top mainly by depicting comedy roles. Paired with Sreenivasan, who can said to be the Hrishikesh Mookerjee of Malayalam cinema, he became a trendsetter. A large number of Malayalees loves to watch films like Nadodikatte, Sanmanasullavarkke Samadhanam etc again and again for the pure fun, of course with a message too, it offers. Mohal Lal in such comic roles smoothly brought to his face puerile expressions. Equally stunning was his timing and down-to-earth dialogue delivery. Like Mammootty, other mega star of Malayalam cinema, Mohan Lal was also fortunate to have got tight scripts, which allowed him parade, his skills in theatrical mannerism. Mohan Lal the comic hero came into full blossom in typical Priyadarshan films like Chitram , Kilukkam etc.
He was careful enough to not to overdo the comic roles and he gave equal, if not more, attention to the serious roles that came along his way in plenty. In fact even before he discovered himself as a comic hero, he roared on the screen as a gangster in Rajavinte Makan,. In a remarkable performance, he depicted the different contours of an underworld don. The huge success of the film set a trend. Soon a series of films based on underworld followed. Lal himself, starred in many of them.
He touched newer heights in his career with his splendid performance in Keeridam. Playing an ambitious youth, who for no fault of his was forced to done the criminal’s attire, Lal distinctively portrayed how a wronged man can get alienated from near and dear ones. He soul-touching performance won Special mention of National Film Awards Jury.
It was his outstanding performance in Bharatam that he won the national award for best acting for the first time. Playing as a Carnatic musician burdened by the death of his guru and drunkard elder brother is an uphill task for any talented actor for the plot of the film involved all the intricacies of a family drama too. The role was particularly challenging as it was seasoned actor Nedumudi Venu who played his elder brother. But the role remained safe in Mohan Lal’s hands. For his essaying the role, adulation poured in from different quarters. And to top it all came the Rajat Kamal for best actor.
A perfectionist he is believed to have learned Kathakali to attain perfection in the role of Kathakali artiste, Kunhikuttan in Vanaprastahm. Even the genuine Kathakali artistes were amused to see Mohal Lal identifying himself with the complex mudras and bhavas of a Kathakali artiste on screen. True to his humble nature, Mohan Lal dedicated the National Award he won for the second time to those Kahtakali artistes.
Two national awards and special mention of national awards jury, besides State awards, adorn the cap of this gifted actor Film buffs can be sure of more memorable performances from him as he rarely disappoints them.
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