Mohanlal

Mohanlal Viswanathan, widely known mononymously as Mohanlal, is a highly acclaimed Indian actor, producer, and filmmaker predominantly working in Malayalam cinema, though his career spans over four decades and includes more than 400 films across various languages like Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu. Born on May 21, 1960, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree before successfully debuting as a villain in the 1980 film Manjil Virinja Pookkal, a role that brought him immediate recognition. By the mid-1980s, he transitioned to leading roles, achieving superstar status with the box-office success of films like Rajavinte Makan (1986). Known for his versatility and natural acting style, often earning him the moniker "The Complete Actor," his collaborations with directors like Priyadarshan have resulted in numerous blockbusters, while his critically acclaimed performances in films like Bharatham (1991) and Vanaprastham (1999) earned him National Film Awards for Best Actor. For his immense contribution to Indian cinema, the Government of India has honored him with both the Padma Shri (2001) and the Padma Bhushan (2019), and he also holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.