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Mohanlal birthday: Eight millennial Malayalam movies that show why he is 'The Complete Actor'

While we cherish Mohanlal the superstar, it is impossible but to miss Mohanlal the performer. Back-to-back action thrillers that successfully market the brand that he has become, but fail to challenge the majestic artist in him. Here are seven Malayalam movies of the twenty-first century where Mohanlal really proved his mettle and reminded us why he is called 'The Complete Actor.'
While we cherish Mohanlal the superstar, it is impossible but to miss Mohanlal the performer. Back-to-back action thrillers that successfully market the brand that he has become, but fail to challenge the majestic artist in him. Here are seven Malayalam m
While we cherish Mohanlal the superstar, it is impossible but to miss Mohanlal the performer. Back-to-back action thrillers that successfully market the brand that he has become, but fail to challenge the majestic artist in him. Here are seven Malayalam m
Bechu S
Updated on: 
2 min read
#1 UDAYON (2005): Mohanlal reunited with Bhadran for this dream project in which he played Shooranad Kunju, the shrewd and cunning landlord, and his jobless drunkard son Pappoyi. Jyotika was supposed to play the lead role opposite Lal but had to be replaced by Laya in the last minute.
#1 UDAYON (2005): Mohanlal reunited with Bhadran for this dream project in which he played Shooranad Kunju, the shrewd and cunning landlord, and his jobless drunkard son Pappoyi. Jyotika was supposed to play the lead role opposite Lal but had to be replaced by Laya in the last minute.
Kunju's love for soil and agrarian lifestyle creates cracks in his relationship with his sons and sister - who accuse him of stealing her share of ancestral property. It is his performance as the septuagenarian that remains the centre and despite a cold theatre response, 'Udayon' is still one of the finest Mohanlal movies of this century. (YouTube screen grab)
Kunju's love for soil and agrarian lifestyle creates cracks in his relationship with his sons and sister - who accuse him of stealing her share of ancestral property. It is his performance as the septuagenarian that remains the centre and despite a cold theatre response, 'Udayon' is still one of the finest Mohanlal movies of this century. (YouTube screen grab)
#2 PRANAYAM (2011): Noted by the presence of Jaya Prada and Anupam Kher, Mohanlal essayed the role of Mathews - a man wheel chaired retired college professor who remarried a young divorcee and a led a fruitful life before tragedy struck.
#2 PRANAYAM (2011): Noted by the presence of Jaya Prada and Anupam Kher, Mohanlal essayed the role of Mathews - a man wheel chaired retired college professor who remarried a young divorcee and a led a fruitful life before tragedy struck.
The movie begins when Mathews' wife Grace runs into her ex-husband Achutha Menon unintentionally and results in some unexpected complications in the twilight of their lives. 'Pranayam' won Blessy the Kerala State Award for the Best Director.
The movie begins when Mathews' wife Grace runs into her ex-husband Achutha Menon unintentionally and results in some unexpected complications in the twilight of their lives. 'Pranayam' won Blessy the Kerala State Award for the Best Director.
#3 PARADESI (2007): Written and directed by PT Kunju Muhammed, 'Paradesi' won Mohanlal yet another Best Actor state award along with critical acclaim. The movie follows the life of Valiyakathu Moosa - an octogenarian who is a citizen of no country following the partition. 'Pardesi', which means foreigner, is the heartbreaking tale of people of Malabar who went to Arabian lands during the colonial era and settled in parts of Pakistan.
#3 PARADESI (2007): Written and directed by PT Kunju Muhammed, 'Paradesi' won Mohanlal yet another Best Actor state award along with critical acclaim. The movie follows the life of Valiyakathu Moosa - an octogenarian who is a citizen of no country following the partition. 'Pardesi', which means foreigner, is the heartbreaking tale of people of Malabar who went to Arabian lands during the colonial era and settled in parts of Pakistan.
After partition, these people became 'enemy spies' in the eyes of their motherland and is left to live their lives shuttling between the two countries and fearing getting separated from their families forever. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Swetha Menon, Padmapriya, Jagathy Sreekumar and Siddique also feature in significant roles in the movie.
After partition, these people became 'enemy spies' in the eyes of their motherland and is left to live their lives shuttling between the two countries and fearing getting separated from their families forever. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Swetha Menon, Padmapriya, Jagathy Sreekumar and Siddique also feature in significant roles in the movie.
#4 PHOTOGRAPHER (2006): A wildlife photographer goes missing under mysterious circumstances during the time of police action against protesting tribals. His wife and young son are in agony as little is known about him even after days. (YouTube screen grab)
#4 PHOTOGRAPHER (2006): A wildlife photographer goes missing under mysterious circumstances during the time of police action against protesting tribals. His wife and young son are in agony as little is known about him even after days. (YouTube screen grab)
Mohanlal is the photographer Dijo John and his outspoken twin brother Joy, who sets out to bring back his missing sibling. Mani, who played the tribal boy Thammi in this Ranjan Pramod movie won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist, while the movie was much applauded for its cinematography and music as well.
Mohanlal is the photographer Dijo John and his outspoken twin brother Joy, who sets out to bring back his missing sibling. Mani, who played the tribal boy Thammi in this Ranjan Pramod movie won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist, while the movie was much applauded for its cinematography and music as well.
#5 BHRAMARAM (2009): Mohanlal won the Special Jury Award in the South Filmfare Awards for his performance in this suspense-revenge drama directed by Blessy. So powerful is Mohanlal's performance that it is quite challenging for the viewers to stay cool when his Sivankutty breaks down towards the end, destroyed by the impact of a cruel mistake which he had no part in.
#5 BHRAMARAM (2009): Mohanlal won the Special Jury Award in the South Filmfare Awards for his performance in this suspense-revenge drama directed by Blessy. So powerful is Mohanlal's performance that it is quite challenging for the viewers to stay cool when his Sivankutty breaks down towards the end, destroyed by the impact of a cruel mistake which he had no part in.
His performance was crucial in keeping the viewers at their seats as the movie leaves very few hints about the plot twist until it gets finally revealed towards the very end.
His performance was crucial in keeping the viewers at their seats as the movie leaves very few hints about the plot twist until it gets finally revealed towards the very end.
#6 THANMATHRA (2005): It is impossible to imagine any other actor to play Rameshan Nair - a family man who succumbs to Alzheimer's disease while having a healthy social life in this Blessy movie. Vijay Sethupathi once said he couldn't watch some scenes in the movie as they were so moving and had to convince himself many times that he is doing it for 'academic purpose' to finish watching it. Based on Padmarajan's short story 'Orma', 'Thanmathra' won the state awards for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and a Special Mention Award for the debutant actor (Arjun Lal).
#6 THANMATHRA (2005): It is impossible to imagine any other actor to play Rameshan Nair - a family man who succumbs to Alzheimer's disease while having a healthy social life in this Blessy movie. Vijay Sethupathi once said he couldn't watch some scenes in the movie as they were so moving and had to convince himself many times that he is doing it for 'academic purpose' to finish watching it. Based on Padmarajan's short story 'Orma', 'Thanmathra' won the state awards for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and a Special Mention Award for the debutant actor (Arjun Lal).
The movie introduced a new disease to the Malayali viewers, who till them, knew no cruel diseases than the brain tumour and cancer. Mohan Lal's transformation as a man who has little memory well up the eyes of the viewers more than once. Meera Vasudev, Nedumudi Venu and Jagathi Sreekumar also appeared in important roles.
The movie introduced a new disease to the Malayali viewers, who till them, knew no cruel diseases than the brain tumour and cancer. Mohan Lal's transformation as a man who has little memory well up the eyes of the viewers more than once. Meera Vasudev, Nedumudi Venu and Jagathi Sreekumar also appeared in important roles.
#7 DRISHYAM (2013): Jeethu Joseph's magnum opus had multiple remakes but Mohanlal's Gerogekutty in the original movie remains the best. An underprivileged man employs his sharp mind to save his family from life-term in jail by hiding a circumstantial crime. While one mystery is decoded, the movie presents you with another and the veteran actor is once again in fine touch in this movie that has a cult following throughout Kerala. A sequel to the movie was released in 2021, which was also well received by the audience across India.
#7 DRISHYAM (2013): Jeethu Joseph's magnum opus had multiple remakes but Mohanlal's Gerogekutty in the original movie remains the best. An underprivileged man employs his sharp mind to save his family from life-term in jail by hiding a circumstantial crime. While one mystery is decoded, the movie presents you with another and the veteran actor is once again in fine touch in this movie that has a cult following throughout Kerala. A sequel to the movie was released in 2021, which was also well received by the audience across India.
#8 ORU MARUBHOOMIKKADHA (2011): Certainly not the best Mohanlal-Priyadarshan movie by any scale, but Madhavan Nair's adventures in the MiddleEast was sincere enough to remind that the man has not lost his taste for humour. The Mukesh, Bhavana, Mohanlal trio delivered some memorable comedy scenes and kept the plot together making it a satisfying movie experience. The classic Mohanlal way of employing everything from eyebrows to tongue to enhance laughter was once again made available for his admirers with this one.
#8 ORU MARUBHOOMIKKADHA (2011): Certainly not the best Mohanlal-Priyadarshan movie by any scale, but Madhavan Nair's adventures in the MiddleEast was sincere enough to remind that the man has not lost his taste for humour. The Mukesh, Bhavana, Mohanlal trio delivered some memorable comedy scenes and kept the plot together making it a satisfying movie experience. The classic Mohanlal way of employing everything from eyebrows to tongue to enhance laughter was once again made available for his admirers with this one.
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