Mohanlal

Mohanlal Viswanathan, born on May 21, 1960, is a multifaceted Indian personality renowned as an actor, film producer, playback singer, film distributor, and director, primarily active in the Malayalam film industry, with occasional forays into Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, Mohanlal has amassed a staggering repertoire of over 400 films, earning him accolades and admiration from peers in the Indian film fraternity. The Government of India recognized his contributions by awarding him the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019, among India’s highest civilian honors. Additionally, in 2009, he made history as the first Indian actor to receive the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, a testament to his multifaceted achievements. CNN-News18 acknowledged him as one of the individuals who reshaped the landscape of Indian cinema. Mohanlal embarked on his acting journey at the age of 18 with the Malayalam film “Thiranottam” in 1978, although its release faced a 25-year delay due to censorship issues. His official screen debut occurred in the 1980 romantic film “Manjil Virinja Pookkal,” where he portrayed the antagonist. Initially cast in villainous roles, he gradually ascended to secondary lead roles before establishing himself as a bankable leading actor in the mid-1980s. His stardom reached new heights with the release of the crime drama “Rajavinte Makan” in 1986. While Mohanlal predominantly operates within Malayalam cinema, he has also left an indelible mark in other regional industries. Notable performances in films like the Tamil political drama “Iruvar” (1997), the Hindi crime thriller “Company” (2002), and the Telugu film “Janatha Garage” (2016) further showcased his versatility and prowess as an actor. Mohanlal’s illustrious career has been adorned with numerous awards, including five National Film Awards, nine Kerala State Film Awards, and Filmfare Awards South, among others. In addition to his artistic endeavors, he is recognized for his philanthropic initiatives, notably founding the ViswaSanthi Foundation, aimed at providing impactful programs in healthcare and education to underprivileged sections of society.