Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Mohanlal joins Territorial Army
NEW DELHI: Film actor Mohanlal on Thursday was formally inducted into the Territorial Army and granted the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor formally piped Mr. Mohanlal at a function at the Army headquarters.
Lt. Col. (Hony) Mohanlal, who has been in the film industry for over three decades, has won many accolades, including four national awards. He has also been awarded Padma Shri.
He will be affiliated with the Kerala based 122 Infantry battalion (Territorial Army) Madras (Kannur Terriers). He is the second recent high-profile personality after Kapil Dev to don the Territorial Army uniform, a Defence Ministry release said.
Lt. Col. Mohanlal said: “it is truly a proud moment for me to have been granted an honorary rank during the Diamond Jubilee year of the Territorial Army. I will try to serve the Territorial Army to the best of my ability in my newly assigned role. Like others in our country, I pride the armed forces and it is dream come true that I can now serve shoulder to shoulder with our Officers/ JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers) and men.”
The actor said he looked forward to witness the Prime Minister’s Territorial Army Day Parade to be held here in October.
A visit to his battalion would be an important agenda for him, he said.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SOME ABOUT LAL
Mohanlal is one of the Malayalam actors who have greatly contributed to enrich Indian cinema. He is popular for his roles in 1980s and 1990s Malayalam movies. Mani Ratnam while working with him in Iruvar stated, "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan. I often forgot to say `Cut` in Iruvar." this is the magic that the actor can create with his powerful performances. Mohanlal, till date, is one of the most spontaneous actors that the sub-continent has seen.
Being a committed actor he has never shied away from experimenting with his roles. His cult roles will alleys be an instance to follow for the upcoming actors. Besides several outstanding performances he has also entertained the audience with superhero roles. Aadu Thoma in Spadikam, Jagannadhan in Aaram Thamburan, Induchoodan in Narasimham and Mullankolli Velayudhan in Naran are some of his memorable roles in this particular genre.
It was more an initiative on his friends` part that he entered the filmdom. On their insistence he auditioned for the role and was first seen on the silver screen as an anti hero in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. There was no looking back for Mohanlal after this film. He was flooded with offers. According to industry sources in 1983 he appeared in over 25 feature films. Amongst these films his memorable film would be Uyarangalil that was scripted by M.T.Vasudevan Nair and directed by I. V. Sasi. Priyadarshan`s debut Poochakkoru Mookkuthi gave him the opportunity to experiment with the comic genre.
During the Golden era of Malayalam cinema Mohanlal was offered roles that provide him with the scope to experiment with a variety of roles. Variety, they say, is the spice of life. Truly enough, for Mohanlal was established as one of the undisputed kings of Malayalam films. Sathyan Anthikad`s T.P.Balagopalan M.A, Rajavinte Makansaw, Thalavattom, Sanmanassu Ullavarku Samadhanam, M.T.Vasudevan Nair`s Panchagni, Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and Gandhi Nagar 2nd Street established him as a versatile actor. He was fortunate enough o work with some of the most talented directors in the entire South India. Mohanlal, from the very beginning of his career, stroke a balance between art films and commercial cinema. Moreover he was successful in exploiting the various genres of commercial cinema as well.
Directors like Sreenivasan and Sathyan Anthikkad cast him in social satires. Nadodikkattu was one such film where he played the role of an unemployed youth and in Varavelpu he was a man who returned from Gulf after years. He was welcomed heartily by his kith and kin only for monetary gain. However movies like Chithram and Kilukkam were hard-core commercial movie, which witnessed him in the conventional roles of an Indian romantic hero. Both these films were directed by Mani Ratnam. Such films also popularised him amongst the teenagers.
After appearing in a host of author backed roles as well as entertainers he set himself apart from the crowd with Priyadarshan`s Kalapani and Kanmadam by Lohithadas. His film Guru was the official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1997. Apart from the Malayalam films Mohanlal had by then started acting in other languages as well. He teamed up once again with Mani Ratnam and appeared in Iruvar, a Tamil film. He played the role of MGR with perfection.
Mohanlal bagged the Special Jury award at National Awards for the role of Sethu Madhavan in Kireedam. His first National Award in the Best Actor category came with Bharatham where he portrayed the role of an envious classical singer. Vaanaprastham established Mohanlal as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. Directed by one of the best Malayalam directors, Shaji Karun, the film fetched him a National Award. Here he played the role of a Kathakali dancer, Kunhikuttan, who confuses his real life and stage life. He is unhappy with his marriage and falls in love with Subhadra. He is even more perplexed when he realises that Subhadra is more in love with his stage role than the real person. He faces a lot of trouble for his love life and towards the end of the film he is shown to return to the stage life only to play the negative characters. The film ends with a stunning dance performance by the leading man, Mohanlal.
While speaking of Mohanlal Shaji N Karun once said, "I can only express one word if I have to describe Mohanlal: wonder. I look at him with awe when he transforms himself from a person to an artiste in front of the camera. I don`t know how he transforms himself. It`s inexplicable." His immense histrionic skills fetched him a number of awards:
Being a committed actor he has never shied away from experimenting with his roles. His cult roles will alleys be an instance to follow for the upcoming actors. Besides several outstanding performances he has also entertained the audience with superhero roles. Aadu Thoma in Spadikam, Jagannadhan in Aaram Thamburan, Induchoodan in Narasimham and Mullankolli Velayudhan in Naran are some of his memorable roles in this particular genre.
It was more an initiative on his friends` part that he entered the filmdom. On their insistence he auditioned for the role and was first seen on the silver screen as an anti hero in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. There was no looking back for Mohanlal after this film. He was flooded with offers. According to industry sources in 1983 he appeared in over 25 feature films. Amongst these films his memorable film would be Uyarangalil that was scripted by M.T.Vasudevan Nair and directed by I. V. Sasi. Priyadarshan`s debut Poochakkoru Mookkuthi gave him the opportunity to experiment with the comic genre.
During the Golden era of Malayalam cinema Mohanlal was offered roles that provide him with the scope to experiment with a variety of roles. Variety, they say, is the spice of life. Truly enough, for Mohanlal was established as one of the undisputed kings of Malayalam films. Sathyan Anthikad`s T.P.Balagopalan M.A, Rajavinte Makansaw, Thalavattom, Sanmanassu Ullavarku Samadhanam, M.T.Vasudevan Nair`s Panchagni, Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and Gandhi Nagar 2nd Street established him as a versatile actor. He was fortunate enough o work with some of the most talented directors in the entire South India. Mohanlal, from the very beginning of his career, stroke a balance between art films and commercial cinema. Moreover he was successful in exploiting the various genres of commercial cinema as well.
Directors like Sreenivasan and Sathyan Anthikkad cast him in social satires. Nadodikkattu was one such film where he played the role of an unemployed youth and in Varavelpu he was a man who returned from Gulf after years. He was welcomed heartily by his kith and kin only for monetary gain. However movies like Chithram and Kilukkam were hard-core commercial movie, which witnessed him in the conventional roles of an Indian romantic hero. Both these films were directed by Mani Ratnam. Such films also popularised him amongst the teenagers.
After appearing in a host of author backed roles as well as entertainers he set himself apart from the crowd with Priyadarshan`s Kalapani and Kanmadam by Lohithadas. His film Guru was the official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1997. Apart from the Malayalam films Mohanlal had by then started acting in other languages as well. He teamed up once again with Mani Ratnam and appeared in Iruvar, a Tamil film. He played the role of MGR with perfection.
Mohanlal bagged the Special Jury award at National Awards for the role of Sethu Madhavan in Kireedam. His first National Award in the Best Actor category came with Bharatham where he portrayed the role of an envious classical singer. Vaanaprastham established Mohanlal as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. Directed by one of the best Malayalam directors, Shaji Karun, the film fetched him a National Award. Here he played the role of a Kathakali dancer, Kunhikuttan, who confuses his real life and stage life. He is unhappy with his marriage and falls in love with Subhadra. He is even more perplexed when he realises that Subhadra is more in love with his stage role than the real person. He faces a lot of trouble for his love life and towards the end of the film he is shown to return to the stage life only to play the negative characters. The film ends with a stunning dance performance by the leading man, Mohanlal.
While speaking of Mohanlal Shaji N Karun once said, "I can only express one word if I have to describe Mohanlal: wonder. I look at him with awe when he transforms himself from a person to an artiste in front of the camera. I don`t know how he transforms himself. It`s inexplicable." His immense histrionic skills fetched him a number of awards:
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Mohanlal- Casanova to a Karshakan!
By Moviebuzz | Monday, 20 April , 2009, 12:28
The project which was to be shot in Vienna and other European countries was not financially viable, taking into consideration the star’s present box-office ratings.
Now the latest we hear is that Rosshan Andrews will direct Mohanlal in an untitled film written by James Albert (Classmates fame), and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. The shoot of the film will start in June after Mohanlal completes Kamal Hassan’s Unnai Pol Oruvan.
Mohanlal will play Mathachan, a middle aged Syrian Christian Karshakan (farmer), in the film. The character and other details are being worked out by Albert and Rosshan who are now finishing the paperwork of the project.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Mohanlal enters stock broking business
Kochi, Aug 26 : Veteran movie superstar Mohanlal is now busy expanding his business empire. He has launched a stock broking company Hedge Equities.
"Mohanlal is a partner and also the brand ambassador of the company," the managing director of the company Alex K.Babu told IANS after the official launch of the company here Monday. "Our company has a net worth of Rs.80 million which should shortly touch Rs.100 million," he said adding "Now we have 15 branches but we will have 45 branches all over south India by the end of this fiscal." Mohanlal has been closely associated with Babu's parent company which is one of India's leading seafood exporters.The superstar is also into the hotel business with a chain of hotels located both in India and abroad. He is also planning to launch a few schools shortly to enter the cash rich education business.A leading merchant banker Fedex Securities is one of the main promoters of Hedge Equities.Mohanlal said that he decided to be a partner in the new business because he knows the promoters of Hedge Equities quite well."We are basically targeting the small investors and we are confident that we will be able to guide them in the best possible manner," the superstar said."We want to be a revelation to them since this business here is still in its infancy," he said.
"Mohanlal is a partner and also the brand ambassador of the company," the managing director of the company Alex K.Babu told IANS after the official launch of the company here Monday. "Our company has a net worth of Rs.80 million which should shortly touch Rs.100 million," he said adding "Now we have 15 branches but we will have 45 branches all over south India by the end of this fiscal." Mohanlal has been closely associated with Babu's parent company which is one of India's leading seafood exporters.The superstar is also into the hotel business with a chain of hotels located both in India and abroad. He is also planning to launch a few schools shortly to enter the cash rich education business.A leading merchant banker Fedex Securities is one of the main promoters of Hedge Equities.Mohanlal said that he decided to be a partner in the new business because he knows the promoters of Hedge Equities quite well."We are basically targeting the small investors and we are confident that we will be able to guide them in the best possible manner," the superstar said."We want to be a revelation to them since this business here is still in its infancy," he said.
Mohanlal is testing his tastebuds
Having dominated the Malayalam film industry for nearly two decades, superstar Mohanlal is now attempting to mix the reel life with the real world of business.
The actor has chalked out a slew of business projects spanning diverse areas like restaurants, education, seafood and eco-tourism.
To begin with, Mohanlal will launch a chain of restaurants under the brand name Lal's Tastebuds across the Gulf countries, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The superstar will also bring the prestigious Delhi Public School to Kerala.
Mohanlal has already opened his first restaurant in Dubai. A number of Lal's Tastebuds will soon be launched in various other Gulf cities and in Chennai, Kochi and Kozhikode in the next few months.
To bring the Delhi Public School to Kerala, Mohanlal has joined hands with a few prominent businessmen in the state and the Gulf countries. They including leading seafood exporter K C Babu, Gulf-based NRI businessman Mohammed Ashraf and Thomas Chandy who runs a school in KOne of Mohanlal's partners in the education venture said the actor's desire to set up the DPS branches in Kerala should not be strictly labelled as a business proposition. "Mohanlal is very eager to bring a nationally reputed public school like DPS to his home state," the business partner told rediff.com.
To begin with, he said, they have already registered a trust named Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Education Trust. "We are planning three DPS branches in Kerala in the cities of Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The DPS school in Kochi has already started functioning," he added.
Mohanlal and his partners are expected to invest around Rs 200 million to set up the three DPS schools in the state.
The superstar will then set up a state-of-the-art studio complex in the Film and Video Park constructed by the state government-run Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation at Kazhakoottam in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram.
The studio will have indoor and outdoor shooting locales, special effects workshops, live shoot and edit facilities and a recording suite to be used for films, video and television. Mohanlal is pumping in Rs 30 million into the studio park which is expected to be inaugurated August 17.
Noted art director Sabu Cyril and director Priyadarshan are associated with Mohanlal in the studio project.
Mohanlal now produces and distributes films in Kerala through two companies --- Pranavam Arts and Pranamam --- which he floated some years ago. He is also a partner and director of Uni Royal Marian Exports, a major Kozhikode-based seafood export company.
Some of his close associates pointed out that Mohanlal is venturing out into the world of business because "he feels that as an actor, he has reached a saturation level. It seems Mohanlal has been discussing entering business after he huge [sums of] money in some of the Malayalam films he produced," the associate revealed.
He said the superstar is also keen to set up a chain of eco-tourism projects in Kerala. "A consultant has been entrusted with the task of undertaking a feasibility study on eco-tourism resorts in key destinations across Kerala. May be eco-tourism resorts under the brand name of Mohanlal will come up in the state soon," he said.
As a precursor to his tourism business, Mohanlal has already entered into discussions with a leading public limited company for buying a 32-room stylish guesthouse that the company plans to dispose off in the outskirts of Kochi. The actor’s plan is to renovate and re-launch the guesthouse as an eco-tourist resort. uwait
The actor has chalked out a slew of business projects spanning diverse areas like restaurants, education, seafood and eco-tourism.
To begin with, Mohanlal will launch a chain of restaurants under the brand name Lal's Tastebuds across the Gulf countries, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The superstar will also bring the prestigious Delhi Public School to Kerala.
Mohanlal has already opened his first restaurant in Dubai. A number of Lal's Tastebuds will soon be launched in various other Gulf cities and in Chennai, Kochi and Kozhikode in the next few months.
To bring the Delhi Public School to Kerala, Mohanlal has joined hands with a few prominent businessmen in the state and the Gulf countries. They including leading seafood exporter K C Babu, Gulf-based NRI businessman Mohammed Ashraf and Thomas Chandy who runs a school in KOne of Mohanlal's partners in the education venture said the actor's desire to set up the DPS branches in Kerala should not be strictly labelled as a business proposition. "Mohanlal is very eager to bring a nationally reputed public school like DPS to his home state," the business partner told rediff.com.
To begin with, he said, they have already registered a trust named Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Education Trust. "We are planning three DPS branches in Kerala in the cities of Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The DPS school in Kochi has already started functioning," he added.
Mohanlal and his partners are expected to invest around Rs 200 million to set up the three DPS schools in the state.
The superstar will then set up a state-of-the-art studio complex in the Film and Video Park constructed by the state government-run Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation at Kazhakoottam in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram.
The studio will have indoor and outdoor shooting locales, special effects workshops, live shoot and edit facilities and a recording suite to be used for films, video and television. Mohanlal is pumping in Rs 30 million into the studio park which is expected to be inaugurated August 17.
Noted art director Sabu Cyril and director Priyadarshan are associated with Mohanlal in the studio project.
Mohanlal now produces and distributes films in Kerala through two companies --- Pranavam Arts and Pranamam --- which he floated some years ago. He is also a partner and director of Uni Royal Marian Exports, a major Kozhikode-based seafood export company.
Some of his close associates pointed out that Mohanlal is venturing out into the world of business because "he feels that as an actor, he has reached a saturation level. It seems Mohanlal has been discussing entering business after he huge [sums of] money in some of the Malayalam films he produced," the associate revealed.
He said the superstar is also keen to set up a chain of eco-tourism projects in Kerala. "A consultant has been entrusted with the task of undertaking a feasibility study on eco-tourism resorts in key destinations across Kerala. May be eco-tourism resorts under the brand name of Mohanlal will come up in the state soon," he said.
As a precursor to his tourism business, Mohanlal has already entered into discussions with a leading public limited company for buying a 32-room stylish guesthouse that the company plans to dispose off in the outskirts of Kochi. The actor’s plan is to renovate and re-launch the guesthouse as an eco-tourist resort. uwait
'Mohanlal is my son'-KAVIYOOR PONNAMMA
Courtesy Original version available at http://www.rediff.com/broadband/
'Mohanlal is my son!'
Shobha Warrier
No star combination has mesmerised the Kerala audience like the Mohanlal-Kaviyoor Ponnammaone.
No, she was not a heroine who danced with him or sang songs with him -- she has been his mother in nearly 50 Malayalam films. Kaviyoor Ponnamma, even when she was a young girl had acted as mother to actors like Satyan, Prem Nazir.
But it's as mother of Mohanlal that people have found her most memorable. As she says, she has come to be known as 'Lalettan's mother'. To the extent that people have even forgotten her name. Why, even Mohanlal's own mother calls Kaviyoor Ponnamma as his 'second mother'!
Here, Kaviyoor Ponnamma tells us what a good son Mohanlal has been!
I have worked in the Malayalam film industry for the last 36 years. I've acted as mother to many actors who were much elder to me, like Satyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, etc.
In fact, Satyan Sir was older than my father, and Nazir Sir's daughter was nearly as old as me.
But I never felt as free with them, nor look upon them as my children as with Mohanlal. In fact, I've never felt as if I were acting, when we've been together. We behave exactly the same way a mother and son do. Maybe that's why people like to see us as mother and son.
But because of this son, I don't have a name now! (Laughs) Young and old, people say, "Look, Lalettan's mother!"
No, it doesn't upset me at all. I can only love him as he is a nice child!
Lal and me look good in films may be because I look like Santha-chechi (Mohanlal's mother). See, both of us are fat!
It is not that I don’t like my other 'sons'. But with Lal, there is a special intimacy. Very often, when we're on location, people have come up to me and said, "Please act only as Lal's mother." And in front of other heroes, too!
Right from his very first film, I knew he has this extraordinary talent. I told many people, "This boy will be the next Prem Nazir." Then I happened to see him in Balachandra Menon’s film, Kelkatha Sabdam. I told Menon the same thing.
I didn't even know him then! But the thalam (rhythm) in his acting, his whole body was evident even then. Like music, everything about him flows so gracefully. Very few have this grace in the way they talk, walk and move. This I saw right in his first film.
His specialty is that everything about him is musical and flexible. That was why you don't feel he is acting.
Films like Kireedam, Bharatham are some I cannot forget. In fact, Kireedom. brought us close together. There's a scene in it in which I felt I was going to crack inside. It's a scene where I ask him to get out of the house. But as he is leaving, I run behind him... And, one last time, I call him, "Mone!" (son).
He looks back and says, "Amme, (mother), it is not knowingly that I became like this. Without my knowing, my life is slipping away from me. Amme, please forgive me."
When he said that, I thought I would break down. I felt a sudden pang inside me. I felt it was happening to my own child. I do not know what or why I felt that way.
How will a mother feel when her son pleads helplessly? I experienced the same feeling. I felt my own child was talking to me.
Films apart, he also behaves as if I were his own mother. He behaves like he was my own son. Why, I'd say he IS my son!
'Mohanlal is my son!'
Shobha Warrier
No star combination has mesmerised the Kerala audience like the Mohanlal-Kaviyoor Ponnammaone.
No, she was not a heroine who danced with him or sang songs with him -- she has been his mother in nearly 50 Malayalam films. Kaviyoor Ponnamma, even when she was a young girl had acted as mother to actors like Satyan, Prem Nazir.
But it's as mother of Mohanlal that people have found her most memorable. As she says, she has come to be known as 'Lalettan's mother'. To the extent that people have even forgotten her name. Why, even Mohanlal's own mother calls Kaviyoor Ponnamma as his 'second mother'!
Here, Kaviyoor Ponnamma tells us what a good son Mohanlal has been!
I have worked in the Malayalam film industry for the last 36 years. I've acted as mother to many actors who were much elder to me, like Satyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, etc.
In fact, Satyan Sir was older than my father, and Nazir Sir's daughter was nearly as old as me.
But I never felt as free with them, nor look upon them as my children as with Mohanlal. In fact, I've never felt as if I were acting, when we've been together. We behave exactly the same way a mother and son do. Maybe that's why people like to see us as mother and son.
But because of this son, I don't have a name now! (Laughs) Young and old, people say, "Look, Lalettan's mother!"
No, it doesn't upset me at all. I can only love him as he is a nice child!
Lal and me look good in films may be because I look like Santha-chechi (Mohanlal's mother). See, both of us are fat!
It is not that I don’t like my other 'sons'. But with Lal, there is a special intimacy. Very often, when we're on location, people have come up to me and said, "Please act only as Lal's mother." And in front of other heroes, too!
Right from his very first film, I knew he has this extraordinary talent. I told many people, "This boy will be the next Prem Nazir." Then I happened to see him in Balachandra Menon’s film, Kelkatha Sabdam. I told Menon the same thing.
I didn't even know him then! But the thalam (rhythm) in his acting, his whole body was evident even then. Like music, everything about him flows so gracefully. Very few have this grace in the way they talk, walk and move. This I saw right in his first film.
His specialty is that everything about him is musical and flexible. That was why you don't feel he is acting.
Films like Kireedam, Bharatham are some I cannot forget. In fact, Kireedom. brought us close together. There's a scene in it in which I felt I was going to crack inside. It's a scene where I ask him to get out of the house. But as he is leaving, I run behind him... And, one last time, I call him, "Mone!" (son).
He looks back and says, "Amme, (mother), it is not knowingly that I became like this. Without my knowing, my life is slipping away from me. Amme, please forgive me."
When he said that, I thought I would break down. I felt a sudden pang inside me. I felt it was happening to my own child. I do not know what or why I felt that way.
How will a mother feel when her son pleads helplessly? I experienced the same feeling. I felt my own child was talking to me.
Films apart, he also behaves as if I were his own mother. He behaves like he was my own son. Why, I'd say he IS my son!
'Mohanlal is the best actor India has ever produced'-PRIYADARSAN
Courtesy Original version available at http://www.rediff.com/broadband/
'Mohanlal is the best actor India has ever produced'
Shobha Warrier
Priyadarshan was the director who first presented a humorous Mohanlal to the people of Kerala. Together, they made several slapstick comedies. They stopped when film-makers hopped on the comic bandwagon, making a series of crude and vulgar comedies.
It has been years since they made films like Chitram or Kilukkam, but even now, Malayalis name these two films as their favourites. Here, Priyadarshan talks about his childhood enemy-turned-friend, Mohanlal:
Mohanlal was my sister’s classmate, and I was three years his senior in college. Even though we lived in the same area, both of us played cricket for different colleges and clubs. I was the opening batsman for our college cricket team, and he was the opening bowler for his. So we were always on the opposing sides.
We were real enemies then. We went to college in the same bus. But we would pick fights there too, mostly over girls!
We became friends only because of cinema. A common friend of ours made a film called Thiranottam, which we were both associated with. That was the beginning of our friendship.
I found him hilarious company. Later on, when I came into films, I wanted to make use of that talent, even though he began as a villain in Manjil Virinja Pookal.
And so in Enginey Nee Marakkum, people came to know about this facet of his character. Through humour, he became a hero.
I've made 27 films with him. In each, I have seen at least two new expressions that I hadn't seen in any of his earlier films. That is how much he surprises me.
I know that his contribution has got a lot to do with the success of most of my films, especially the humorous ones. There is a thin line between buffoonery and humour. He goes to the edge but never crosses that.
I admire his spirit with all his coartistes. He has no ego hassles with anyone. He is ready to do anything for a film. Many people have asked me whether he really licked Amrish Puri’s shoes in Kalaapani. He did. He felt the scene would look realistic only if he did it. He wanted the shoe to be cleaned properly, that’s all!
He never prepares for any role or scene. He is not bothered how he looks or what he does. Once the camera is on, he is a transformed person. As he does only one film at a time, he knows everything about the film, nothing more.
All you have to do is tell him what the shot is just before you shoot. He immediately changes into that character. I haven't seen this ability to transform completely, without any preparation, in any other actor in my entire career. And, mind you, I have worked with almost all the actors from the South and the North.
This man is amazing.
I remember Mani Ratnam telling me, "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan." I asked why. He said he often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar. Mani said he did not expect him to perform at that level.
He stunned me in two films: Vaanaprastham and Vaasthuhara (the late Aravindan’s film).
I saw a different Mohanlal in both. A Mohanlal I don't see normally. You see him as a man carrying a heavy heart. From his body language, you could feel that he had a heavy heart. I don’t know how conveyed it to us. It was so real.
I didn't ask him to analyse it. Because, knowing Lal, it would be stupid of me to ask such things. He never plans for anything or prepares anything. It just happens.
Take Thalavattam. After he becomes mad, he doesn't blink his eyes. I didn't notice it when I shot the film. Only when someone asked me whether we did it purposely, did I notice it.
Both of us -- Lal or I -- didn’t know that mad people rarely blink their eyes. In the climax scene of Kireedam, you see him clenching and unclenching his jaws. People do that when they're tense. All this comes to Lal so naturally.
Recently, Madhavikkutty said that Lal was born in the wrong place. I agree. His potential is so much that I don't think an Indian director can ever make use of it totally.
Do we have any other actor in India who is accepted by the common man and the critics? He is a superstar. People adore him. They throw coins at the screen when he appears, like they do to Rajanikant.
At the same time, he is a super actor, too, having won three best actor awards at the national level. But we are yet to see the full potential of Mohanlal. Mohanlal is a unique phenomenon in Indian cinema.
In fact, he is the best actor India has ever produced.
'Mohanlal is the best actor India has ever produced'
Shobha Warrier
Priyadarshan was the director who first presented a humorous Mohanlal to the people of Kerala. Together, they made several slapstick comedies. They stopped when film-makers hopped on the comic bandwagon, making a series of crude and vulgar comedies.
It has been years since they made films like Chitram or Kilukkam, but even now, Malayalis name these two films as their favourites. Here, Priyadarshan talks about his childhood enemy-turned-friend, Mohanlal:
Mohanlal was my sister’s classmate, and I was three years his senior in college. Even though we lived in the same area, both of us played cricket for different colleges and clubs. I was the opening batsman for our college cricket team, and he was the opening bowler for his. So we were always on the opposing sides.
We were real enemies then. We went to college in the same bus. But we would pick fights there too, mostly over girls!
We became friends only because of cinema. A common friend of ours made a film called Thiranottam, which we were both associated with. That was the beginning of our friendship.
I found him hilarious company. Later on, when I came into films, I wanted to make use of that talent, even though he began as a villain in Manjil Virinja Pookal.
And so in Enginey Nee Marakkum, people came to know about this facet of his character. Through humour, he became a hero.
I've made 27 films with him. In each, I have seen at least two new expressions that I hadn't seen in any of his earlier films. That is how much he surprises me.
I know that his contribution has got a lot to do with the success of most of my films, especially the humorous ones. There is a thin line between buffoonery and humour. He goes to the edge but never crosses that.
I admire his spirit with all his coartistes. He has no ego hassles with anyone. He is ready to do anything for a film. Many people have asked me whether he really licked Amrish Puri’s shoes in Kalaapani. He did. He felt the scene would look realistic only if he did it. He wanted the shoe to be cleaned properly, that’s all!
He never prepares for any role or scene. He is not bothered how he looks or what he does. Once the camera is on, he is a transformed person. As he does only one film at a time, he knows everything about the film, nothing more.
All you have to do is tell him what the shot is just before you shoot. He immediately changes into that character. I haven't seen this ability to transform completely, without any preparation, in any other actor in my entire career. And, mind you, I have worked with almost all the actors from the South and the North.
This man is amazing.
I remember Mani Ratnam telling me, "Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan." I asked why. He said he often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar. Mani said he did not expect him to perform at that level.
He stunned me in two films: Vaanaprastham and Vaasthuhara (the late Aravindan’s film).
I saw a different Mohanlal in both. A Mohanlal I don't see normally. You see him as a man carrying a heavy heart. From his body language, you could feel that he had a heavy heart. I don’t know how conveyed it to us. It was so real.
I didn't ask him to analyse it. Because, knowing Lal, it would be stupid of me to ask such things. He never plans for anything or prepares anything. It just happens.
Take Thalavattam. After he becomes mad, he doesn't blink his eyes. I didn't notice it when I shot the film. Only when someone asked me whether we did it purposely, did I notice it.
Both of us -- Lal or I -- didn’t know that mad people rarely blink their eyes. In the climax scene of Kireedam, you see him clenching and unclenching his jaws. People do that when they're tense. All this comes to Lal so naturally.
Recently, Madhavikkutty said that Lal was born in the wrong place. I agree. His potential is so much that I don't think an Indian director can ever make use of it totally.
Do we have any other actor in India who is accepted by the common man and the critics? He is a superstar. People adore him. They throw coins at the screen when he appears, like they do to Rajanikant.
At the same time, he is a super actor, too, having won three best actor awards at the national level. But we are yet to see the full potential of Mohanlal. Mohanlal is a unique phenomenon in Indian cinema.
In fact, he is the best actor India has ever produced.
NEW RELEASES
Kamal Haasan starts shooting 'A Wednesday' remake
South star Kamal Haasan has begun shooting for his new bilingual film which is a remake of the critically acclaimed Hindi film A Wednesday .
It has been almost a year since Kamal has faced the camera after completing the shooting of the blockbuster Dasavatharam , which raked in more than Rs 250 crore worldwide.
Now, the talented actor has started shooting of his new bilingual film, the remake of ‘A Wednesday’, on April 7 at Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad.
Kamal's production banner Raj Kamal has joined hands with Mumbai's UTV Studios for this film.
Actor Chakri who had earlier worked in Kamal-starrer ‘Sagara Sangamam’ is making his debut as a director with this film.
Kamal's daughter Shruti Haasan will be composing the music of the film. She will be making her debut as a music director with this film which is a remake of the Naseeruddin Shah , Anupam Kher -starrer ‘A Wednesday’ which became a surprise hit besides being critically appreciated.
The Telugu version of the film titled ‘Ee Nadu’ will have Telugu film industry's leading star Venkatesh playing the role of Anupam Kher. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will be essaying the same role in the Tamil film titled ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’.
Kamal will play the role essayed by Naseeruddin Shah in both the versions of the film.
INTERVIEWS
Courtesy Original version available at www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04mohn2.htm "Interview with lal"
When you decide to act in movie, what are the ingredients you look for -- the story, the director or the producer? Nothing. It is not possible to be rigid about story, director or producer. One has to think of various other commitments also. For example, one has to think of friendship.
Does that mean sometimes you have to act in movies which you don't like?
Yes. Sometimes one has to do a story which one might not like.
Is it difficult to be a true professional?
It is not possible at all.... It might be possible for others, but I can't. If one is very strict about all these things, there won't be any harmony in life and relationship. I am not saying that it is very difficult to be a true professional. Personally, I won't be able to adhere to such strict norms. I haven't done that all these years and I don't intend doing it now. More than my feelings, I give importance to the feelings of others.
You don't like to hurt a friend by saying 'no'?
You are not supposed to hurt a person mentally or physically. You have no right to do that, isn't it so? You tell me.
Yes...
I give more value to that sentiment, that's all. I give more importance to human relationships than the success of a movie. You may say, I am not a professional at all. Now that I have grown old, I cannot change also. See, I am going to be 37 in May (laughs)
You grew up in a typical middle class atmosphere. Now you lead a totally different life. How has this change affected you?
I don't think any such change has taken place in my life. I had a comfortable life even when I was young. There is not much change in the kind of comforts that I enjoy. It is true that when you are in the film world, you tend to move towards a more luxurious life. It is not the case of actors alone, even singers, dancers and all those connected with films have this kind of a luxurious life. I would like to live like an ordinary person, but because I am in this field, I am forced to follow certain patterns.
But I will tell you, it has not changed me at all. I have to spend more money to live like this, that's all. Earlier, I could stay in any hotel, now I have to stay in one where there is privacy. Earlier, I could travel by bus, now I have to travel either by train or by plane. I look at all this as a part of my profession.
Are you sad that you are mobbed and followed by people all the time in Kerala. Do you enjoy this?
There is no point in feeling sad. It is all part of this profession. Not only film stars, but politicians also lose privacy. You enjoy fan adulation to some extent. But if they go on pestering you all the time, it affects your privacy. Will any one like that then? No one. But then a time comes when you have to sacrifice either your profession or your privacy. Since we give more importance to one's profession, we sacrifice one's privacy.
Is it because you don't have privacy in Kerala that you shifted to Madras?
No. I am married to a girl from Madras. (Suchitra, daughter of Balaji, an actor of yesteryears). My son is studying in a school just opposite our house. If I had been married to a girl in Kerala, I would have stayed on in Kerala itself. It is as simple as that.
You once told me that you became an actor by accident. Yes, it is true I came into this field by accident. But I had acted in my first film when I was studying my Pre-Degree in college. It was directed by a friend of mine, but the film did not see light. Before I started dreaming about a career in films, even before I finished my college, I got my next film and it became a super hit. So I never had any fascination for films. Because I was drawn into this profession without experiencing any struggle.
People say it is very difficult to get into this profession. I don't plan anything in my life. People might not believe me. They might say I am making up stories. But it was by accident that I entered this field. Now I feel, let all things in my life happen that way.
Once when I interviewed Priyadarshan, he told me that all of you grew up together, and you two vied with each other to get the attention of girls.
All collegians do that. Is it that important? He might have been talking about his adventures.
Come on, there is nothing wrong in trying to get the attention of girls.
See, when one's young, we might have done many such things which we were not supposed to do.
In those days, you were trying to get the attention of girls, now girls are after you. Do you find their attention a burden on you now?
No, not at all. I love their attention (laughs).
In Iruvar, your heroine was Aishwarya Rai (right). Were you bowled over by her beauty?
The thrill vanishes once you really meet the person. She was acting with me all the time. She was my heroine. I found her to be a very down to earth girl. As an actress also, she is very good. Since we were acting together, I did not feel fascinated at all. But then I know that there is no point in having a fascination! (Laughs).
There is nothing wrong in admitting that you were fascinated by her beauty.
I am telling you the truth. I am one person who admires beauty. If I had not seen Aishwarya Rai at all, I might have had a craving to see her because she was a former Miss World, But in reality she was acting with me.
What motivated you to produce films?
Mammootty, I V Sasi and Seema started a film company and made quite a few films. Much later, I started my own company, 'Pranavam'. That was because I wanted to make movies which I like. If I had asked a producer to make a film like Kalapani, he would not have agreed. It might have been the case with many other movies too, like His Highness Abdullah, Bharatam or Kamaladalam.
Are you committed to making only good movies?
Definitely. By good movies, I mean movies with a message. It is not that I don't have an ambition to make a movie that will be appreciated all over the world. But with our budget, we will not be able to. I feel happy and good if I can make some good films; within our budget of course.
Most film-makers say they have no responsibility towards society. Do you agree?
No, no. As a producer, I will say that my film should carry and convey some message. No, I don't want to just make any kind of movies, my primary duty is to see that my movies carry some message.
Is making money not the first criterion?
Of course, money is also important. Because we have to give money to all those involved in a movie. But we made Kalapani (right) to prove to people that we too can make technically good movies. Whether it ran well or not is another matter. But it was well appreciated. It gave us a lot of satisfaction. It brought to us five national awards and seven state awards. I am happy about it.
Do you like your profession very much? Is it because as an actor you get to live the lives of so many people?
Yes. I am fortunate to be an actor. See, you get to see so many people, you interact with so many people and above all you get to play so many roles or live the lives of so many people which otherwise would not have been possible, even if you are to be born again and again.
It is really an experience to don so many roles in one life. Every day is an experience for you as you are a different personality every day. I never felt bored in my life. I do not know what boredom is. That is why I feel actors are very fortune. I don't know about what others feel: this is my perspective, my opinion.
Will you ever get bored with films?
I don't think so. I love my profession so much that I will never feel bored. But people might get bored of me after some time and throw me out! (Laughs).
When you decide to act in movie, what are the ingredients you look for -- the story, the director or the producer? Nothing. It is not possible to be rigid about story, director or producer. One has to think of various other commitments also. For example, one has to think of friendship.
Does that mean sometimes you have to act in movies which you don't like?
Yes. Sometimes one has to do a story which one might not like.
Is it difficult to be a true professional?
It is not possible at all.... It might be possible for others, but I can't. If one is very strict about all these things, there won't be any harmony in life and relationship. I am not saying that it is very difficult to be a true professional. Personally, I won't be able to adhere to such strict norms. I haven't done that all these years and I don't intend doing it now. More than my feelings, I give importance to the feelings of others.
You don't like to hurt a friend by saying 'no'?
You are not supposed to hurt a person mentally or physically. You have no right to do that, isn't it so? You tell me.
Yes...
I give more value to that sentiment, that's all. I give more importance to human relationships than the success of a movie. You may say, I am not a professional at all. Now that I have grown old, I cannot change also. See, I am going to be 37 in May (laughs)
You grew up in a typical middle class atmosphere. Now you lead a totally different life. How has this change affected you?
I don't think any such change has taken place in my life. I had a comfortable life even when I was young. There is not much change in the kind of comforts that I enjoy. It is true that when you are in the film world, you tend to move towards a more luxurious life. It is not the case of actors alone, even singers, dancers and all those connected with films have this kind of a luxurious life. I would like to live like an ordinary person, but because I am in this field, I am forced to follow certain patterns.
But I will tell you, it has not changed me at all. I have to spend more money to live like this, that's all. Earlier, I could stay in any hotel, now I have to stay in one where there is privacy. Earlier, I could travel by bus, now I have to travel either by train or by plane. I look at all this as a part of my profession.
Are you sad that you are mobbed and followed by people all the time in Kerala. Do you enjoy this?
There is no point in feeling sad. It is all part of this profession. Not only film stars, but politicians also lose privacy. You enjoy fan adulation to some extent. But if they go on pestering you all the time, it affects your privacy. Will any one like that then? No one. But then a time comes when you have to sacrifice either your profession or your privacy. Since we give more importance to one's profession, we sacrifice one's privacy.
Is it because you don't have privacy in Kerala that you shifted to Madras?
No. I am married to a girl from Madras. (Suchitra, daughter of Balaji, an actor of yesteryears). My son is studying in a school just opposite our house. If I had been married to a girl in Kerala, I would have stayed on in Kerala itself. It is as simple as that.
You once told me that you became an actor by accident. Yes, it is true I came into this field by accident. But I had acted in my first film when I was studying my Pre-Degree in college. It was directed by a friend of mine, but the film did not see light. Before I started dreaming about a career in films, even before I finished my college, I got my next film and it became a super hit. So I never had any fascination for films. Because I was drawn into this profession without experiencing any struggle.
People say it is very difficult to get into this profession. I don't plan anything in my life. People might not believe me. They might say I am making up stories. But it was by accident that I entered this field. Now I feel, let all things in my life happen that way.
Once when I interviewed Priyadarshan, he told me that all of you grew up together, and you two vied with each other to get the attention of girls.
All collegians do that. Is it that important? He might have been talking about his adventures.
Come on, there is nothing wrong in trying to get the attention of girls.
See, when one's young, we might have done many such things which we were not supposed to do.
In those days, you were trying to get the attention of girls, now girls are after you. Do you find their attention a burden on you now?
No, not at all. I love their attention (laughs).
In Iruvar, your heroine was Aishwarya Rai (right). Were you bowled over by her beauty?
The thrill vanishes once you really meet the person. She was acting with me all the time. She was my heroine. I found her to be a very down to earth girl. As an actress also, she is very good. Since we were acting together, I did not feel fascinated at all. But then I know that there is no point in having a fascination! (Laughs).
There is nothing wrong in admitting that you were fascinated by her beauty.
I am telling you the truth. I am one person who admires beauty. If I had not seen Aishwarya Rai at all, I might have had a craving to see her because she was a former Miss World, But in reality she was acting with me.
What motivated you to produce films?
Mammootty, I V Sasi and Seema started a film company and made quite a few films. Much later, I started my own company, 'Pranavam'. That was because I wanted to make movies which I like. If I had asked a producer to make a film like Kalapani, he would not have agreed. It might have been the case with many other movies too, like His Highness Abdullah, Bharatam or Kamaladalam.
Are you committed to making only good movies?
Definitely. By good movies, I mean movies with a message. It is not that I don't have an ambition to make a movie that will be appreciated all over the world. But with our budget, we will not be able to. I feel happy and good if I can make some good films; within our budget of course.
Most film-makers say they have no responsibility towards society. Do you agree?
No, no. As a producer, I will say that my film should carry and convey some message. No, I don't want to just make any kind of movies, my primary duty is to see that my movies carry some message.
Is making money not the first criterion?
Of course, money is also important. Because we have to give money to all those involved in a movie. But we made Kalapani (right) to prove to people that we too can make technically good movies. Whether it ran well or not is another matter. But it was well appreciated. It gave us a lot of satisfaction. It brought to us five national awards and seven state awards. I am happy about it.
Do you like your profession very much? Is it because as an actor you get to live the lives of so many people?
Yes. I am fortunate to be an actor. See, you get to see so many people, you interact with so many people and above all you get to play so many roles or live the lives of so many people which otherwise would not have been possible, even if you are to be born again and again.
It is really an experience to don so many roles in one life. Every day is an experience for you as you are a different personality every day. I never felt bored in my life. I do not know what boredom is. That is why I feel actors are very fortune. I don't know about what others feel: this is my perspective, my opinion.
Will you ever get bored with films?
I don't think so. I love my profession so much that I will never feel bored. But people might get bored of me after some time and throw me out! (Laughs).
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