Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair, a renowned Indian actor, producer, and singer, is celebrated for his extraordinary versatility and natural flair for acting in Indian cinema. His acting journey began with an unreleased movie, Thiranottam, in 1978, which was followed by his first release, Manjil Virinja Pookkal, in 1980, marking his on-screen debut as the lead antagonist.
Initially, Mohanlal took on antagonistic roles in various films, before establishing himself as a lead actor, showcasing his range by playing a wide variety of character types in comedy, action, and other genres. His breakthrough came in 1986 with the success of Rajavinte Makan, where he portrayed an underworld don, earning him the label of a superstar in Malayalam cinema.
In addition to his acting career, Mohanlal ventured into film production with the 1990 musical hit, His Highness Abdullah, and has also appeared in several Tamil and Bollywood films, including notable roles in Iruvar, directed by Mani Ratnam, and Company, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Beyond acting and producing, Mohanlal is involved in businesses related to film distribution, restaurants, and packaged spices.
Mohanlal is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema and a cultural icon in the Indian state of Kerala, where he was elected the most popular individual in a 2006 online poll conducted by CNN-IBN on the occasion of Kerala's 50th anniversary. In 2001, the Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mohanlal has won numerous accolades, including four Indian National Film Awards – two Best Actor Awards, one Special Jury Award for acting, and one Award for Best Film as producer – and six Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor. In 2009, he became the first actor to be granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of India, and in 2010, he received an honorary doctorate from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala.
