‘Kireedam’
‘Kireedam’ is a 1989 Indian Malayalam drama film written by AK Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. The film stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, Parvathy, Kaviyoor Ponnamma in pivotal roles. The film narrates the story of a Malayali youth, Sethumadhavan (Mohanlal), whose fate was to be typecast as a rowdy by the villagers. It explores how society type-casts individuals and forces them to act that part whether they like it or not. Mohanlal won the National Award for portraying a young man's agony and pain marvellously in a unique style. The climax of the movie is considered as the best in Indian Cinema. Lohithadas won the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay for that year.(ads1)
This Malayalam romantic film written and directed by P Padmarajan is ranked in the list of greatest Indian films of all time. The film is widely noted for its rich film score and songs, dialogues and characters, detailed screenplay and Mohanlal's performance. The film had Mohanlal’s character falling for two women at the same time, one is his neighbour and other an escort. ‘Thoovanathumbikal’ is considered, by many, to be the most romantic movie ever made in Malayalam. The movie enjoys a cult status even decades after its release, especially among the youth.
‘Spadikam’
The film narrates the story of a father and a son, whose ideological differences creates a gap in their relationship. Mohanlal’s performance as a mischevious lover and caring brother won him the Kerala State Film Award. The versatile actor also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a young man who becomes a village rowdy. It is regarded as one of the best Malayalam commercial films. The movie and its characters hold cult status in Keralite pop culture. The film was the second-highest grossing films of 1995. It was later remade in all south Indian languages.
Mohanlal as Mangalasery Neelakandan is one of the most famous characters reprised by Lal in Malayalam cinema. The rivalry between Mangalassery Neelakantan (Mohanlal) and Mundakkal Shekaran (Napoleon) forms the main theme of the film. The film was one of the highest grossing Malayalam films of the 1990s and the story, dialogues, and characters have achieved cult status in Kerala. It is generally considered as one of the best films of Mohanlal and I. V. Sasi's careers. The film ran for more than 150 days. The film was remade in Telugu as 'Kunti Putrudu,' with Mohan Babu and Vijayashanti playing the lead roles. A sequel to the movie titled ‘Raavanaprabhu’ was released in 2001. The film went on to become the highest grossing Malayalam film of the year. It won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film.
Mohanlal’s superlative performance as a Kathakali dancer makes this film a must watch. The film follows the tale of a lower-caste Kathakali artiste Kunhikuttan (Mohanlal) during the 1940s era in Travancore. Subhadra (Suhasini), a member of an aristocratic family, falls in love with the character Arjuna played by Kunikuttan. She views Kunikuttan and the character he plays as separate individuals. Their affair eventually leads to the birth of a son, who is hidden away by Subhadra from Kunijuttan for almost a lifetime. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI Fest) in 1999. It is considered to be Mohanlal’s best performance and one of the greatest Malayalam films of all time.(ads2)
Aaraam Thampuran, written by Ranjith and directed by Shaji Kailas stars Mohanlal, Narendra Prasad, and Manju Warrier in the lead. The film was a huge success at the box office and became the highest grossing Malayalam films of 1997. The film successfully completed a theatrical run of 250 days. The soundtrack was also popular, with songs spending months on the charts. The film’s success redefined Shaji Kailas as a director and established Mohanlal as the superstar of Malayalam cinema. The movie is one of the all-time blockbusters in Malayalam cinema.
‘Kilukkam’
This musical-comedy hit, written by Venu Nagavalli, released in the year 1991. The film is, reportedly, inspired by Audrey Hepburn starrer ;Roman Holiday.' It is considered as one of the classics ever made by Priyadarshan. Mohanlal as Joji was amazing and was loved by his fans a lot. Revathy did full justice with the transformation she had in the film as a mentally ill woman and then a daughter searching for her father. The movie reportedly crossed the collection of Rs 5 crores, making it the first Malayalam film to achieve the feat. Mohanlal won the Kerala Sate Film Award for Best Actor for the film.
‘Season’
‘Season’ directed by Padmarajan had Mohanlal and Gavin Packard in lead roles. The film is considered as a cult classic. In spite of the film’s commercial failure at the time, ‘Season’ is now considered as a cult classic. Mohanlal’s performance in the movie stands apart because of his unconventional style of acting in such a complex plot. The story is set in the beautiful locales of Kovalam beach in Kerala and Poojappura Central Prison, Trivandrum. The movie was much ahead of its time and is considered to be amongst the best revenge thrillers in Mollywood.
Bhramaram (2009) is a Malayalam thriller film of road-movie genre, written and directed by Blessy and starring Mohanlal, Suresh Menon, Murali Gopy and Bhumika Chawla. The film was a hit at the box office. The film was widely appreciated for Mohanlal’s performance. The film fetched Mohanlal Best Actor Filmfare trophy. ‘Bhramaram’ got overwhelmingly positive review from critics and audience alike. Written and directed by Blessy, the film also starred Suresh Menon, Murali Gopy, and Bhumika Chawla in pivotal roles.
‘Bharatham’ is a musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas, directed by Sibi Malayil, and produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic classical and semi-classical. The film was a critical and commercial success. Mohanlal won the National Award for his impeccable performance. Forbes included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list, 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema. The film was remade in Tamil as ‘Seenu’ by P Vasu. The songs of this movie were instant hits.
