Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair known mononymously as Mohanlal is an Indian actor, producer and singer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema. He made his acting debut in the unreleased movie Thiranottam (1978), which was followed by a role as the lead antagonist in his first release Manjil Virinja Pookkal in 1980, his onscreen debut.
Antagonistic parts in several movies followed before Mohanlal established himself as a lead actor playing a wide variety of character types in comedy and action films amongst others. He was labelled a superstar of Malayalam cinema in 1986 after the success of Rajavinte Makan, in which he played an underworld don. Mohanlal became a film producer with the 1990 musical hit His Highness Abdullah and has also acted in a number of Tamil and Bollywood films. Of these, his notable roles were in Iruvar, directed by Mani Ratnam, and Company, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. As well as being an actor and producer, Mohanlal also owns businesses involved in film distribution, restaurants and packaged spices.
Mohanlal is regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema and is a cultural icon in the Indian state of Kerala, where he was elected its most popular individual in a 2006 online poll conducted by CNN-IBN on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Kerala's formation. In 2001, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, for his contributions to Indian cinema. He has won four Indian National Film Awards — two Best Actor Awards, one Special Jury Award for acting, and one Award for Best Film as producer along with six Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor. In 2009, he became the first actor to be given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of India and in 2010 received an honorary doctorate from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala.
Known For
Lucifer
(2019)
Stephen Nedumpally
Drishyam
(2013)
Georgekutty
Kaalapani
(1996)
Govardhan Menon
Company
(2002)
Srinivasan IPS
Manichitrathazhu
(1993)
Dr. Sunny Joseph
Full Filmography
Acting
Thiranottam
(1978)
Kuttappan
Manjil Virinja Pookkal
(1980)
Narendran
Dhruvasangamam
(1981)
Shankarankutty
Ahimsa
(1981)
Mohan
Oothikachiya Ponnu
(1981)
Nandan
Sanchari
(1981)
Dr. Shekhar
Dhanya
(1981)
Thakilu Kottampuram
(1981)
Paul
Attimari
(1981)
Shan
Thenum Vayambum
(1981)
Varma
Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam
(1982)
Kishore
Enthino Pookunna Pookal
(1982)
Surendran
Padayottam
(1982)
Kannan
Ente Mohangal Poovaninju
(1982)
Vinu
Kelkatha Sabdam
(1982)
Babu
Kurukkante Kalyanam
(1982)
Sainaba's Husband
Sree Ayyappanum Vavarum
(1982)
Army Commander
Enikkum oru Divasam
(1982)
Babu
Madrasile Mon
(1982)
Njan Onnu Parayatte
(1982)
Shekharankutty
Aakrosam
(1982)
Mohanachandran
Aa Divasam
(1982)
Kaaliya Mardhanam
(1982)
Johnny
Football
(1982)
Balakrishnan
Pinnilavu
(1983)
Raghu
Naanayam
(1983)
Babu
Sesham Kazhchayil
(1983)
Police Inspector
Chakravalam Chuvannappol
(1983)
Vasu
Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu
(1983)
Ramu
Oru Mukham Pala Mukham
(1983)
Sukumaran Thampi
Kattathe Kilikkoodu
(1983)
Unni Krishnan
Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku
(1983)
Alex
Aattakalasham
(1983)
Babu
Iniyenkilum
(1983)
Ravi
Visa
(1983)
Sunny
Changatham
(1983)
S T Daniel
Asthram
(1983)
Das
Ente Katha
(1983)
Ramesh
Kolakkomaban
(1983)
Gopi
Kuyiline Thedi
(1983)
Thampurankutty
Himavahini
(1983)
Paappi
Hello Madras Girl
(1983)
Lal
Naseema
(1983)
Saithali
Bhookambam
(1983)
Raghu
Guru Dakshina
(1983)
Minister Prabhakaran
Engane Nee Marakkum
(1983)
Shambu
Marakkillorikkalum
(1983)
Murali
Arabikkadal
(1983)
Thavalam
(1983)
Aadhipathyam
(1983)
Mohan
Unaru
(1984)
Ramu
Adiyozhukkukal
(1984)
Gopi
Aalkkoottathil Thaniye
(1984)
Anil Kumar
Ariyaatha Veethikal
(1984)
Athirathram
(1984)
Prasad
Appunni
(1984)
Menon Mash
Ivide Thudangunnu
(1984)
Krishnakumar
Swanthamevide Bandhamevide
(1984)
Rajendran
Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
(1984)
Vinayan
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
(1984)
Gopalakrishnan
Sreekrishna Parunthu
(1984)
Kumaran Thampi
Uyarangalil
(1984)
P.K. Jayarajan
Onnanu Nammal
(1984)
Nanda Gopal
Aduthaduthu
(1984)
Vishnu Mohan
Oru Kochu Swapnam
(1984)
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
(1984)
Sreekumar
Akkare
(1984)
Sudhan
Vanitha Police
(1984)
Paavam Poornima
(1984)
Lakshmana Rekha
(1984)
Sudhakaran Nair
Manasariyathe
(1984)
Mammootty
Vetta
(1984)
Balan
Kurishuyudham
(1984)
Johnny
Kilikkonchel
(1984)
Ratheesh
Thirakal
(1984)
James George
Itha Innu Muthal
(1984)
Mohanlal
Boeing Boeing
(1985)
Shyam
Anubandham
(1985)
Bhaskaran
Karimpin Poovinakkare
(1985)
Bhadran
Avidathepole Ivideyum
(1985)
Sukumaran
Kandu Kandarinju
(1985)
Krishnanunny
Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya
(1985)
Current Hamsa
Idanilangal
(1985)
Aram + Aram = Kinnaram
(1985)
Narayanankutty
Azhiyatha Bandhangal
(1985)
Balakrishnan
Koodum Thedi
(1985)
Peter
Pathamudayam
(1985)
Jayamohan
Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil
(1985)
Nithin
Vasantha Sena
(1985)
Devan
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal
(1985)
Vishnu Thomas
Guruji Oru Vakku
(1985)
Unni
Naayakan
(1985)
Krishnadas
Omanikkan Ormavaikkan
(1985)
Njan Piranna Nattil
(1985)
Inspector Rajasekharan
Mulamoottil Adima
(1985)
Adima Kannu / Mulamoottil Adima
Angadikkappurathu
(1985)
Babu
Rangam
(1985)
Appunni
Uyarum Njan Nadake
(1985)
Darappan
Jeevante Jeevan
(1985)
Jayan
Gandhinagar 2nd Street
(1986)
Sethu
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
(1986)
Solomon
Thalavattam
(1986)
Vinod
Vartha
(1986)
Vasu
Geetham
(1986)
Jagadeesh Nair
Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu
(1986)
Shambhu
Hello My Dear Wrong Number
(1986)
Venugopal
Kunjattakilikal
(1986)
Balakrishnan
Ente Entethu Mathram
(1986)
Mr. Menon
Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam
(1986)
Diwakaran
Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare
(1986)
Telephone Uncle
Yuvajanotsavam
(1986)
Jayan
Deshadanakkili Karayarilla
(1986)
Harisankar
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam
(1986)
Gopalakrishna Panikkar
T. P. Balagopalan M.A.
(1986)
Balagopalan
Sukhamo Devi
(1986)
Sunny
Mizhineerppoovukal
(1986)
Richard
Panchagni
(1986)
Rashid
Iniyum Kurukshetrum
(1986)
Suresh Babu
Ninnishtam Ennishtam
(1986)
Srikuttan / Sriettan
Pappan Priyappetta Pappan
(1986)
Inspector Devodas
Revathikkoru Pavakkutty
(1986)
Dr. P. Madhavankutty
Rajavinte Makan
(1986)
Vincent Gomas
Manasilloru Manimuthu
(1986)
Kariyilakkattu Pole
(1986)
Inspector Achuthankutty
Abhayam Thedi
(1986)
Appu
Sobharaj
(1986)
Shobharaj/Dharmaraj
Adiverukal
(1986)
Balakrishnan
Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu
(1986)
Pauly
Padayani
(1986)
Rameshan
Oppam Oppathinoppam
(1986)
Nimishangal
(1986)
Murali
Irupatham Noottandu
(1987)
Sagar Alias Jacky
Thoovanathumbikal
(1987)
Jayakrishnan
Adimakal Udamakal
(1987)
Mohan Cheriyan
Amrutham Gamaya
(1987)
Dr. P. K. Haridas
Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar
(1987)
Mahendra Varma
Vazhiyorakazchakal
(1987)
Raghavan / Antony Issac
Cheppu
(1987)
Ramachandran
Sarvakalasala
(1987)
Lal
January Oru Orma
(1987)
Raju
Nadodikkattu
(1987)
Dasan
Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
(1987)
Eby Abraham
Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham
(1987)
Appu
Chithram
(1988)
Vishnu
Manu Uncle
(1988)
Himself (Cameo)
Moonnam Mura
(1988)
Ali Imran
Pattanapravesham
(1988)
Ramdas / Dasan
Anuragi
(1988)
Shamu
Orkkapurathu
(1988)
Freddy
Vellanakalude Naadu
(1988)
C. Pavithran Nair
Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu
(1988)
Mukundan K. Kartha
Aryan
(1988)
Devanarayanan Namboothiri/Devan
Ayitham
(1988)
Shankaran
Padamudra
(1988)
Soap Kuttappan and Maathu Pandaaram (Dual roles)
Vandanam
(1989)
Unnikrishnan
Kireedam
(1989)
Sethu Madhavan
Ulsavapittennu
(1989)
Rajan
Dasharatham
(1989)
Rajiv Menon
Adhipan
(1989)
Advt. Shyam Prakash
Douthyam
(1989)
Capt. Roy Jacob Thomas
Season
(1989)
Jeevan / Uncle
Naaduvazhikal
(1989)
Arjun
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
(1989)
Achu
Varavelpu
(1989)
Murali
Lal Americayil
(1989)
Vinod
Akkare Akkare Akkare
(1990)
Ramdas
No. 20 Madras Mail
(1990)
Tony Kurushingal
Lal Salam
(1990)
Netturan
Mukham
(1990)
Hariprasad
Aye Auto
(1990)
Sudhi
Arhatha
(1990)
Devaraj
Appu
(1990)
Appukuttan
Thazhvaram
(1990)
Balan
His Highness Abdullah
(1990)
Abdullah / Ananthan Namboothiri
Kadathanadan Ambadi
(1990)
Kadathanadan Ambadi
Indrajaalam
(1990)
Kannan Nair
Kilukkam
(1991)
Joji
Uncle Bun
(1991)
Charlie Chacko
Bharatham
(1991)
Gopinathan
Gopura Vasalile
(1991)
Special Appearance
Ulladakkam
(1991)
Dr. Sunny
Adwaytham
(1991)
Shivaprasad
Abhimanyu
(1991)
Harikrishnan
Kizhakkunarum Pakshi
(1991)
Ananthu
Vishnulokam
(1991)
Vishnu
Dhanam
(1991)
Sivasankaran Nair
Vasthuhara
(1991)
Venu
Yoddha
(1992)
Thaipparambil Ashokan Menon
Vietnam Colony
(1992)
G Krishnamoorthy
Kamaladalam
(1992)
Nandagopal
Nadodi
(1992)
Sachidanandan / Balakrishnan Bhagavathar
Rajashilpi
(1992)
Shambu
Sadayam
(1992)
Sathyanathan
Soorya Gayathri
(1992)
Dr. Balasubrahmaniam
Aham
(1992)
Sidharthan
Manichitrathazhu
(1993)
Dr. Sunny Joseph
Devasuram
(1993)
Mangalassery Neelakantan
Gandharvam
(1993)
Samuel Alexander
Butterflies
(1993)
Prince Menon
Midhunam
(1993)
Sethumadhavan
Kalippattam
(1993)
Venu
Chenkol
(1993)
Sethu Madhavan
Maya Mayooram
(1993)
Narendran (Appu) and Krishnan Unni (Unni)
Pingami
(1994)
Captain Vijay Menon
Thenmavin Kombath
(1994)
Manikyan
Pavithram
(1994)
Unnikrishnan
Minnaram
(1994)
Bobby
Pakshe
(1994)
Balachandra Menon
Gandeevam
(1994)
Boat Man (Cameo)
Nirnayam
(1995)
Dr. Roy Mathews
Spadikam
(1995)
Aadu Thoma / Thomas Chacko
Maanthrikam
(1995)
Stephen Ronald
Agnidevan
(1995)
Aniyankuttan (Ravi Varma)
Thacholi Varghese Chekavar
(1995)
Thacholi Varghese Chekavar
Kaalapani
(1996)
Govardhan Menon
The Prince
(1996)
Jeeva
Iruvar
(1997)
Anand
Aaram Thamburan
(1997)
Jagannadhan
Oru Yaatra Mozhi
(1997)
Govindan Kutty
Guru
(1997)
Raghuraman
Chandralekha
(1997)
Appukuttan (Alphy)
Varnapakittu
(1997)
Sunny Palamatom
Harikrishnans
(1998)
Krishnan
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
(1998)
Sagar Kottappuram
Kanmadam
(1998)
Vishwanathan
Summer in Bethlehem
(1998)
Niranjan (Guest Role)
Raktha Sakshikal Zindabad
(1998)
Siva Subrahmanya Iyyar
Vanaprastham
(1999)
Kunhikuttan
Usthad
(1999)
Parameswaran / Usthad
Olympian Anthony Adam
(1999)
C.T. Vargheese Antony I.P.S/ Olympiyan Anthony Adam
Narasimham
(2000)
Poovalli Induchoodan / Achu
Devadoothan
(2000)
Vishal Krishnamoorthy
Sradha
(2000)
Ganga Prasad IPS
Life Is Beautiful
(2000)
Vinayachandran
Kakkakuyil
(2001)
Sivaraman
Achaneyanenikkishtam
(2001)
Mahadevan
Praja
(2001)
Zakkir Ali Hussain
Unnathangalil
(2001)
Rakshakan
Ravanaprabhu
(2001)
Mangalassery Neelakandan / M.N. Karthikeyan
Company
(2002)
Srinivasan IPS
Thandavam
(2002)
Kasinathan
Onnaman
(2002)
Ravisankar
Chathurangam
(2002)
Atiprackal Jimmy Jacob
Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu
(2003)
Hariharan Pillai
Kilichundan Mampazham
(2003)
Abdul Khader
Balettan
(2003)
Athaniparambil Balachandran
Mr. Brahmachari
(2003)
Ananthan Thampi
Pop Carn
(2003)
Vikramaditya
Mampazhakkalam
(2004)
Puramanayil Chandran
Vismayathumbathu
(2004)
Sreekumar
Vamanapuram Bus Route
(2004)
Lever Johny
Natturajavu
(2004)
Pulikkattil Charlie
Wanted
(2004)
Narayana Swamy
Love
(2004)
Mohan Nair
Thanmathra
(2005)
Rameshan
Naran
(2005)
Mullankolli Velayudhan
Udayananu Tharam
(2005)
Udayabhanu
Udayon
(2005)
Shooranad Pappoyi / Shooranad Kunju
Chandrolsavam
(2005)
Chirakkal Shreehari
Reflections
(2005)
Keerthi Chakra
(2006)
Major Mahadevan
Vadakkumnadhan
(2006)
Prof. Iringannoor Bharatha Pisharadi
Mahasamudram
(2006)
Isahak
Baba Kalyani
(2006)
Baba Kalyani
Rasathanthram
(2006)
Premachndran
Photographer
(2006)
Dijo
Kilukkam Kilukilukkam
(2006)
Joji
Alibhai
(2007)
Anwar Ali/Ali Bhai
Chotta Mumbai
(2007)
Vasco da Gama
Rock N' Roll
(2007)
Chandramouli
Hallo
(2007)
Sivaraman
Paradesi
(2007)
Valiyakath Moosa
Flash
(2007)
Dr. Mithun Madhavan
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
(2007)
Inspector Narsimha
Madambi
(2008)
Puthanveetil Gopalakrishna Pillai
Innathe Chintha Vishayam
(2008)
Gopakumar
College Kumaran
(2008)
Cptn. Kumaran
Twenty 20
(2008)
Devaraja Prathapa Varma
Pakal Nakshatrangal
(2008)
Sidharthan
Kurukshetra
(2008)
Colonel Mahadevan
Aakasha Gopuram
(2008)
Albert Samson
Halla Bol
(2008)
Himself (uncredited)
Mizhikal Sakshi
(2008)
Syed Ahmed
Unnaipol Oruvan
(2009)
I. G. Raghavan Maraar
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded
(2009)
Sagar/ Jacky
Bhramaram
(2009)
Sivankutty
Red Chillies
(2009)
Oiyarath Makaranth Ramanathan (as OMR)
Ividam Swargamanu
(2009)
Mathews
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
(2009)
Narrator
Bhagavan
(2009)
Dr. Balagopal
Angel John
(2009)
Angel John
Shikkar
(2010)
Balaraman
Oru Naal Varum
(2010)
Kulappulli Sukumaran / DYSP Nandhakumar
Alexander The Great
(2010)
Alexander Varma
Kandahar
(2010)
Major Mahadevan
Janakan
(2010)
Surya Narayanan
Wilson Periera
(2010)
All Characters (Voice)
Pranayam
(2011)
Mathews
Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomi Kadha
(2011)
P. Madhavan Nair
China Town
(2011)
Mathukutty / Xavier
Snehaveedu
(2011)
Ajayan
Christian Brothers
(2011)
Christi Varghese Mappila / Sherson
Spirit
(2012)
Raghunandan
Casanovva
(2012)
Casanovva
Run Baby Run
(2012)
Venu
Grandmaster
(2012)
Chandrashekhar
Karmayodha
(2012)
Madhava Menon/Mad Maddy
Namukku Parkkan
(2012)
Narrator (voice)
Tezz
(2012)
Shivan Menon (Cameo Appearance)
Lokpal
(2013)
Nandagopalan / Lokpal
Red Wine
(2013)
ACP Ratheesh Vasudevan
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty
(2013)
Himself
Drishyam
(2013)
Georgekutty
Ladies & Gentleman
(2013)
Chandrabose
Geethanjali
(2013)
Dr. Sunny Joseph
Jilla
(2014)
Siva
Mr. Fraud
(2014)
Bhai Ji / John Cliff / Sivaram
Peruchazhi
(2014)
Jagannathan
Aamayum Muyalum
(2014)
Narrator (voice)
Koothara
(2014)
Siren Semiramis Aegean Derketo/Ustaad Saali
Rasam
(2015)
Himself
Lailaa O Lailaa
(2015)
Jayamohan
Ennum Eppozhum
(2015)
Vineeth N Pillai
Loham
(2015)
Raju / Rajeev Sathyamoorthy
Kanal
(2015)
John David
Picket 43
(2015)
Cameo
Mythri
(2015)
Mahadev Godke
Pulimurugan
(2016)
'Puli' Murugan
Oppam
(2016)
Jayaraman
Manamantha
(2016)
Sai Ram
Janatha Garage
(2016)
Satyam
Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol
(2017)
Ulahannan
1971: Beyond Borders
(2017)
Major Mahadevan / Major Sahadevan
C/O Saira Banu
(2017)
Peter George (Voice)
Villain
(2017)
Mathew Manjooran
Velipadinte Pusthakam
(2017)
Prof. Michael Idikkula
Tiyaan
(2017)
The Voice of Time (voice)
Odiyan
(2018)
'Odiyan' Manikyan
Kayamkulam Kochunni
(2018)
Ithikkara Pakki
Aadhi
(2018)
Himself
Nieraali
(2018)
Sunny George
Drama
(2018)
Rajagopal
100 Years of Chrysostom
(2018)
Kaappaan
(2019)
Chandrakanth Varma
Lucifer
(2019)
Stephen Nedumpally
Ittymaani: Made In China
(2019)
Ittimaani
Big Brother
(2020)
Sachidanandhan
Family - A Made at Home Short Film
(2020)
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
(2021)
Kunjali Marakkar IV
Drishyam 2
(2021)
Georgekutty
Aaraattu
(2022)
Neyyattinkara Gopan / Suryachandra Lal (Fake) / Agent X
Bro Daddy
(2022)
John Kattadi
12th Man
(2022)
Chandrashekhar
Monster
(2022)
Lucky Singh
Pathonpatham Noottandu
(2022)
Self - Narrator (voice)
Alone
(2023)
Kalidas
Jailer
(2023)
Mathew
Neru
(2023)
Vijay Mohan
Barroz – Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure
(2024)
Barroz
Malaikottai Vaaliban
(2024)
Malaikottai Vaaliban
Rambaan
(2025)
Production
Adiyozhukkukal
(1984)
Producer
Karimpin Poovinakkare
(1985)
Producer
Adiverukal
(1986)
Producer
Gandhinagar 2nd Street
(1986)
Producer
Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
(1987)
Producer
Nadodikkattu
(1987)
Producer
Aryan
(1988)
Producer
Orkkapurathu
(1988)
Producer
His Highness Abdullah
(1990)
Producer
Bharatham
(1991)
Producer
Kamaladalam
(1992)
Producer
Midhunam
(1993)
Producer
Pingami
(1994)
Producer
Kaalapani
(1996)
Producer
Harikrishnans
(1998)
Producer
Kanmadam
(1998)
Producer
Olympian Anthony Adam
(1999)
Producer
Vanaprastham
(1999)
Co-Producer
Kandahar
(2010)
Producer
Sound
Kandu Kandarinju
(1985)
Playback Singer
Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil
(1985)
Playback Singer
Chithram
(1988)
Playback Singer
Aye Auto
(1990)
Playback Singer
Vishnulokam
(1991)
Playback Singer
Soorya Gayathri
(1992)
Playback Singer
Kalippattam
(1993)
Playback Singer
Gandharvam
(1993)
Playback Singer
Butterflies
(1993)
Playback Singer
Spadikam
(1995)
Playback Singer
Run Baby Run
(2012)
Playback Singer
Ittymaani: Made In China
(2019)
Playback Singer
Bro Daddy
(2022)
Playback Singer
Directing