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