Mohanlal, Actor
Actor

Mohanlal

Born 21 May 1960 · Kerala

First Indian actor awarded honorary lieutenant colonel rank in the Territorial Army in 2009.

Mohanlal Viswanathan, known mononymously as Mohanlal, is an Indian actor and filmmaker who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema and has also occasionally appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. Mohanlal has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 400 films. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2019, India's fourth and third highest civilian honours, for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 2009, he became the first actor in India to be awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Mohanlal was a state wrestling champion before debuting in films and was selected for the national wrestling championship in 1978 but chose acting instead.

The Story

1
🎬 In 1978, an 18-year-old Mohanlal ( @Mohanlal ) acted in Thiranottam, a film delayed for 25 years due to censorship issues, marking a curious hidden start to his career.
2
💥 His breakthrough came in 1986 with Rajavinte Makan, a crime drama that propelled him into stardom and changed the face of Malayalam cinema's leading men.
3🥋 Before acting, Mohanlal was a state wrestling champion in 1977-78, selected for the national championship, but he chose films over the wrestling mat.
4In 1997, Mohanlal starred in Mani Ratnam's Tamil political drama Iruvar alongside Aishwarya Rai, a film that won two National Film Awards and remains a cult classic.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2001
Padma Shri
2019
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Mohanlal's first film, Thiranottam, shot in 1978, was unreleased for 25 years due to censorship problems, making his official debut Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980).

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Mohanlal at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists general body meeting (2007)
Mohanlal at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists general body meeting (2007)
2007
Mohanlal being greeted by Defence Minister A. K. Antony after joining Territorial Army (2009)
Mohanlal with Amitabh Bachchan during a public event (2010)
Actor Mohanlal at a public appearance (2018)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

Born in Elanthoor, Kerala
Birth
Born in Elanthoor, Kerala
Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair was born in the village of Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.
1960
Acted in Thiranottam
Career
Acted in Thiranottam
Debuted in the Malayalam film Thiranottam at age 18; film delayed for 25 years due to censorship.
1978
Screen debut in Manjil Virinja Pookkal
Career
Screen debut in Manjil Virinja Pookkal
Officially debuted on screen with a villain role in the Malayalam romantic film Manjil Virinja Pookkal.
1980
Starred in Rajavinte Makan
Career
Starred in Rajavinte Makan
The crime drama Rajavinte Makan propelled Mohanlal into stardom as a leading Malayalam actor.
1986
Lead role in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar
Career
Lead role in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar
Acted in Tamil political drama Iruvar alongside Aishwarya Rai; film won two National Film Awards.
1997
Awarded Padma Shri
Award
Awarded Padma Shri
Received Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for contributions to Indian cinema.
2001
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank
Award
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank
Became the first Indian actor awarded honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.
2009
Received Padma Bhushan
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Conferred Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, recognizing his artistic achievements.
2019
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Received India's highest cinema award for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
2025
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2009, Mohanlal received an honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank in the Territorial Army, the first Indian actor to be so honored.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He won National Film Awards five times, including Best Actor for Bharatham in 1991 and Vanaprastham in 1999, plus a production award for Best Feature Film.

03 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Mohanlal achieved a black belt in Taekwondo, awarded by the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Kukiwon, South Korea.

No quote recorded for Mohanlal yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
How to Master Life & Cinema: Superstar Mohanlal's Ultimate Advice to the Youth | GDP Podcast
·YouTube
More from this archive
How to Master Life & Cinema: Superstar Mohanlal's Ultimate Advice to the Youth | GDP Podcast
01
How to Master Life & Cinema: Superstar Mohanlal's Ultimate Advice to the Youth | GDP Podcast
YouTube
Exclusive interview with veteran actor and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Mohanlal
02
Exclusive interview with veteran actor and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Mohanlal
YouTube
Mohanlal Interview | pattanapravesham| Hridayapoorvam
03
Mohanlal Interview | pattanapravesham| Hridayapoorvam
YouTube
Chiranjeevi On His Inspirations, Mohanlal On Art vs Commercial Cinema | Akshay Kumar | Hema Malini
04
Chiranjeevi On His Inspirations, Mohanlal On Art vs Commercial Cinema | Akshay Kumar | Hema Malini
YouTube
കണ്ടും മിണ്ടിയും | Kandum Mindiyum | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan interviewd by Mohanlal
05
കണ്ടും മിണ്ടിയും | Kandum Mindiyum | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan interviewd by Mohanlal
YouTube
Mohanlal talks about Joji (Kilukkam) | MBIFL 2020
06
Mohanlal talks about Joji (Kilukkam) | MBIFL 2020
YouTube
Mohanlal & Prithviraj on Empuraan & Creating a Malayalam Film Universe | InFocus | THR India
07
Mohanlal & Prithviraj on Empuraan & Creating a Malayalam Film Universe | InFocus | THR India
YouTube
Mohanlal V Dada Saheb Phalke National Film Award #mohanlal #actor #bollywood #shahrukhkhan
08
Mohanlal V Dada Saheb Phalke National Film Award #mohanlal #actor #bollywood #shahrukhkhan
YouTube
Mohanlal receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Full speech
09
Mohanlal receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Full speech
YouTube
Mohanlal’s Comments on Chiranjeevi’s Godfather in His Latest Interview!
10
Mohanlal’s Comments on Chiranjeevi’s Godfather in His Latest Interview!
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Mohanlal transformed Malayalam cinema by shifting its narrative style and star persona through landmark films like Rajavinte Makan and Iruvar, influencing generations of actors and filmmakers. His recognition by the Indian government, including honorary military rank and civilian awards, expanded the cultural perception of actors as national icons. Additionally, his ViswaSanthi Foundation has impacted healthcare and education for underprivileged communities in Kerala.

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