“My Favourite Actor…”
Its been a while since I have written in my blog. This week I thought of writing about my favorite actor Mohanlal as he turns 59 today. I wish to pay a tribute to the complete actor. Lalettan, as he is fondly called, has been in the film fraternity for almost 40 years. I am sure everyone knows about him and have read about him.
I am a die hard fan of Lalettan and its sheer admiration that is making me pay a tribute to him in my blog. I had never missed a movie of his in my young days. During my college days, there was a competition by Chalachitram Magazine and I had bagged the first prize. It was an album of Mohanlal photos, 31 years have gone by and I still do treasure that.
Mohanlal Viswanathan was born on May 21st, 1960 in Elanthoor He was the youngest son of late Viswanathan Nair and Smt Santhakumari. He married Suchitra in 1988. He started off in 1978 as a teenager in Thiranottam but the film was in the cans for 25 years. I was in school when Manjil Virnja Pookal was released, I am sure every girl hated and feared the character Narendran. It was imprinted in everyone’s mind.
In the beginning, he played antagonistic characters in several films and later on, he got supporting roles. He established himself as a leading actor and became a star. Lalettan the versatile actor has been lauded for his natural acting style. He has acted in films made by great writers and directors like G. Arivandan, Hariharan, M.T.Vasudeavan Nair, Padmarajan, Bharathan, Lohitdas, etc. Sreenivasan and Lalettan have showcased the anxiety of an average unemployed educated Malayalee in many films
# My Favourite Movies of Lalettan
**Rajavinte Makan (1986): A milestone in Mohanlal’s career, this film changed the life of Lalettan. He became a superstar overnight. Vincent Gomez became popular among the youth. The film was one of the best thrillers in the Indian film world. It was directed by Thambi Kannanthanam. Lalettan created a record by delivering 28 superhits at the Boxoffice the same year.
**Sanmanasu Ullavarkku Samadhanam (1986): A movie by Sathyan Anthikad, the story revolves around the house owner Gopalakrishnan Panikkar. A hilarious chain of events unfolds when the house owner tries to make his tenants vacate his house.
**Thalavattom(1986): A story of a young man Vinu who falls mentally ill when he happens to see his girlfriend die because of a short circuit accident. And the story unfolds at the Asylum. It was a beautiful film made by Priyadarshan.
**Nammaku Paarkan Munthirithoppukkal (1986): This is one of the Best movies of Lalettan and a big favorite of mine too. The portrayal of Solomon was exceptional. It was a film by the famous director Padmarajan. The duo was famous for their films which were well ahead of their times. This film was highly influential from the mid-1980s to the mid – 1990s. It was famous for its cinematography and soulful music.
** Thoovanthumbikal(1987): A film by Padmarajan, is about Jayakrishnan who lives a dual life one in his village and the other when he goes to town. It’s about loving two women one a sex worker Clara and the other a distant relative Radha. Among the best Indian films, of all time Thoovanthumbikal was ranked as # 8. This film is still one of the evergreen films of Mohanlal. Rain is a recurring theme and is portrayed as a special character. Clara changed the concept of Malayalee bachelors.
**Chithram(1988): A beautiful comedy by Priyadarshan, broke all records at the box office. It did play for a year in certain places and was one of the highest grossing movies. It’s about Kalyani and Vishnu and how they pretend to be married. Later on, Kalyani realizes that Vishnu has a painful dark secret.
**Kireedam(1989): This film was written by Lohitdas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It’s about a young man, Sethu Madhavan who wants to become a police officer to fulfill his father’s dream. His hopes and dreams are shattered when he encounters a criminal to save his father’s life. Lalettan in his unique style portrayed the pain and agony of a young man.
**Dasharatham(1989): A film by Sibi Malayil, was a movie well ahead of its times. The story was based on the hero Rajiv who was a business tycoon and a chronic bachelor who wanted a child of his own but without marrying. Annie who is in financial need agrees to help him by giving birth through artificial insemination- a surrogate mother was unimaginable in those times.
**Devasuram(1993): A film made by the veteran filmmaker I.V.Sasi and it’s considered as one of the best films of both Mohanlal and I.V Sasi. The theme is based on the rivalry between Mangalaserry Neelakantan and Mundakkal Shekaran.The character Neelakantan is based on a real-life person. Life changes for Neelakantan when he comes to know that he was born out of wedlock. And not the actual heir of Manglaserry, Neelakantan is a very powerful character.
**Spadikam(1995): An action film made by Bhadran. He bagged the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare award for Best Actor for Thomas Chacko (Aadu Thoma). It’s about how he runs away from home from his strict father to become a big rowdy and quarry owner.
**Kaalapani (1996): Is an epic film, by Priyadarshan. The story is focused on the lives of Indian freedom fighters confined to imprisonment in the cellular jail in Port Blair during the British Raj. The film depicts the inhumane treatment Govardhan and his inmates receive in the jail.He received the Best Actor Kerala State Film Award.
**Aaraam Thampuran(1997): An action-packed classic by Shaji Kailas. It was the biggest industrial hit. It tells us the story about how Jagganath comes to Kanimangalam to buy a Kovilakam. And gets involved with the villagers and helps them revive their annual temple festival. The villagers in awe start calling him Aaram Thampuran.
**Thanmathra(2005): A beautiful film by Blessy. It portrays the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on Rameshan Nair and his family. It won 5 Kerala State Film Awards for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Special Award for a Debutant Actor. It also won the National Award for the Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
**Pranayam(2011): Is yet another romantic film by Blessy. It’s a love story between Mathew, Grace and Achutha Menon. Mohanlal’s performance was well appreciated.
Under the banner of Pranavam Arts international – His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, Kamaldalm, Mithunam were produced
**His Highness Abdullah(1990): Was directed by Sibi Malayil. It was a musical drama, Abdullah who is in need of money accepts to assassinate the Thamburan. So he disguises as Anandhan, but as the story moves on he changes his intention.
**Bharatham(1991): His Highness Abdullah and Bharatham were musical treats. Lalettan’s performance was one of the best performances. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor. It showcases the grief of Gopinathan on how he takes care of his families responsibility in the absence of his brother.
**Mithunam (1993): Is a family drama directed by Priyadarshan. The film is based on Sethumadhavan who plans to start a biscuit factory. It highlights the corruption of the officials and bureaucracy. And he has to solve problems in his dysfunctional family.
Mohanlal is a versatile actor-producer and playback singer. He enacted as Major Mahadevan in Kirtichakara, Kurukshetra and Kandahar. He was later conferred with the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Government in The Indian Territorial Army. Other films to his credit are Vanaprastham, Iruvar, Company, etc. There is an umpteen number more which have to be given credentials, the list could go on. The dominating legendary characters Vincent Gomez, Sagar Alias Jacky, Mangalassery Neelakantan, the evergreen Icon Aaram Thampuran and Thomas Chacko(Aadu Thoma) are imprinted in everyone’s mind. Drishyam, Pullimurugan were top grosser movies. The cameo role Ithikkara Pakki with an animalistic touch has made it more exciting. Lucifer created history when it crossed the record 200 crore mark.
He has acted in more than 300 films and has acted in Tamil Telugu and Hindi. He has won many awards and accolades in his career including 5 national film awards and nine state film awards. He has been conferred with the Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2019′. Lalettan is a natural actor, he has an impressive screen presence, has excelled in every role he has played and is a mass entertainer.
Lakshmi says
Superb love you Laletta
vishalsneha says
?
Anjana says
Words from a true fan ???
vishalsneha says
??
Sheela Sajan says
A tribute to a great actor. Good to see the historic eventd in his life reinvented. Congrats dear
vishalsneha says
Thank you?