Mohanlal Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Mohanlal is an Indian actor, producer, playback singer, blogger, column writer, and director with significant works in the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood). As of 2023, Mohanlal has appeared in more than 350 films in different languages. His films in the 100-crore club are Pulimurugan (2016), Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018), and Lucifer (2019). Mohanlal is also known for hosting the television reality show Bigg Boss Malayalam.

Wiki/Biography

Mohanlal Vishwananthan was born on Saturday, 21 May 1960 (age 63 years; as of 2023) in Elanthoor village, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Taurus.

After his birth, he along with his family moved to Mudavanmukal, Thiruvananthapuram, as his father was a bureaucrat. Mohanlal did his school education at GLPS, Mudavanmukal and Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. He participated in many dramas and won the best actor award in his school in the year 1972 while studying in the sixth grade. He graduated in commerce from Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram. During his student days, he met a group of like-minded friends, including director Priyadarshan, actor Maniyanpilla Raju, and producer G. Suresh Kumar, with whom his acting career started.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Weight (approx.): 85 kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Mohanlal belongs to a Keralite Hindu family.

Parents & Siblings

Mohanlal’s father, Viswanathan Nair, was a lawyer and former bureaucrat. He retired as a Law Secretary with the Kerala State Government. His father passed away in the year 2007 at the age of 80 due to age-related diseases. His mother Santha Kumari is a homemaker.

Mohanlal’s elder brother, Pyarelal, who was an actor and businessman, died in 2000 amidst a military exercise. He had also acted in a film named ‘Kilikonjal’ with Mohanlal in 1984. ^[1]The Indian Express

Wife & Children

His wife, Suchitra Mohanlal, is a film producer and businesswoman. She is the daughter of famous actor and producer K Balaji and the sister of film producer Suresh Balaje. Mohanlal married Suchitra on 28 April 1988.

They have 2 children – Pranav Mohanlal and Vismaya Mohanlal. Pranav Mohanlal is an actor and traveller. He started working as a child actor, and his film, Hridayam, released in 2022, was a blockbuster. Vismaya is a published author and martial arts enthusiast. She is the author of the book Grains of Stardust (2021).

Religion/Religious Views

Mohanlal follows Hinduism.

Mohanlal has always openly talked about his spiritual inclination and introduced the term ‘detached attachment’ to explain his thinking. When asked about his spirituality in one of his interviews, he said,

I was brought up in a family where the women went to the temple in the morning. Consequently, I too wish to do the same but if I am not able to, I am fine with that too. I have always been a spiritual person.”

Mohanlal often pens down his spiritual thoughts on his blog. In one such blog, he wrote that he received a letter from God, as a reply to some of his rantings on life and death. ^[2]Mohanlal’s Official Blog

Caste

Mohanlal belongs to the Nair caste but is not known to use his caste name in the surname. He revealed the story behind his name in his autobiography ‘Mohanlal Kayarivanna Padavukal’ published by Mathrubhumi. He writes that his father was adamant about not adding ‘Nair’ to his children’s names. Taking this into consideration, it was his maternal uncle, Gopinathan Nair, who named the brothers. The elder brother was named Pyarelal, while initially, the younger one was called Roshanlal, but his name was later changed to Mohanlal. ^[3]The Cue

Signature/Autograph

Career

Film

Mohanlal’s acting debut was with the film ‘Thiranottam’ (1978), in which he played a mentally disturbed servant, called Kuttappan. His friends formed a company called ‘Bharath Cine Group’ and produced this film. The film faced multiple postpones, and finally got released 25 years later. The same group of friends sent him to his next audition. He was selected and played a negative character in ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’ (1980). His portrayal of a sadistic young man, Narendran, received a lot of critical acclaim.

He played many antagonist roles until Sasikumar’s ‘Ivide Thudangunnu‘ (1984), in which he played the role of Sub-inspector Krishnakumar. His career turned a different direction with this film. He played many positive roles from then on, notably Kaliyil Alpam Karyam (1984), Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984), and Boeing Boeing (1985), among others.

 

Mohanlal played a humorous role in ‘Poochakkoru Mookkuthi’ (1984) which was the directorial debut of Priyadarshan. They have together worked in more than 44 films as of 2023. Some of the super-hit films of this duo are Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988), Chithram (1988), Vandanam (1989), Kilukkam (1991), Thenmavin Kombath (1994) and Kaalapani (1996).

From the mid-80s to 2000, Mohanlal’s career graph steadily rose, with many popular films under major directorial and production houses. Many of these films won him many state and national awards. Mohanlal won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for the film T. P. Balagopalan M. A. (1986). The role of Gopalakrishna Panikkar in Sanmanasullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) fetched him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Malayalam). The portrayal of a musician in Bharatham (1991) won him a National Film Award in the Best Actor category.

Some of his noteworthy films during this time include Rajavinte Makan (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986), Nadodikkattu (1987), Pattanapravesham (1988), Kamaladalam (1992), Mithunam (1993), Devaasuram (1993), Manichitrathazhu (1993), and Aaram Thampuran(1997).

Mohanlal’s first Bollywood film Company (2002) directed by Ram Gopal Varma, fetched him the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards and Star Screen Awards for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of an IPS officer, Veerappalli Sreenivasan, pursuing two underworld dons, received acclamations from far and wide.

Some of the roles he played in the Malayalam cinema were widely criticized as a repetition of his earlier popular characters. He acknowledged the criticism by answering that it is tough to avoid repetition as the same man is portraying the roles. Mohanlal’s acclaimed films since the year 2016 include Telugu and Malayalam films, such as Janatha Garage (2016), Pulimurugan(2016), Lucifer (2019), and Drishyam 2 (2021).

Television

Mohanlal has hosted the TV reality show Bigg Boss (Malayalam) since its first season. There is no mention of a change in the presenter as of 2023. He has hosted a talk show, Lal Salam (2017-18), with actor Meera Nandan.

Theatre/ Music

Mohanlal’s first stage appearance was in the Sanskrit play, Karnabharam (2001). After this, he did a Malayalam play Kadhayattam (2008) in which he played multiple roles. His other plays are Chayamukhi (2008) with actor Mukesh, Maya Ravan (English; 2008) composed by actor Shobhana, The Tempest (2009), and Vikramorvasiyam (Sanskrit; 2010). Mohanlal joined hands with musician Ratheesh Vega in 2014 to form a band called Lalisom – The Lal Effect. The band has performed for various events.

Business

Mohanlal has invested in businesses from early on in his career. Mohanlal and Mammootty co-owned a production house called Casino in the 1980s, along with director I. V. Sasi, actor Seema, and filmmaker Century Kochumon. The notable films that came out of this production house are Adiyozhukkukal (1984), Karimpinpoovinakkare (1985), and Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986). He founded his film production and distribution company, Pranavam Arts International in 1990. However, the company closed in 2010. Some of its noteworthy productions include His Highness Abdullah (1990), Kanmadam (1998), and Kandahar (2010).

Mohanlal established a film distribution and production company,  Max Lab Cinemas and Entertainment in 2008. He started a restaurant in Dubai and a spice brand called ‘Mohanlal’s Taste Buds’ which was later sold to the Eastern Group. Mohanlal co-owns the Kerala franchise of Celebrity Cricket League – Kerala Strikers.

Mohanlal is a partner in Ashirwad Cinemas. He owns a seafood restaurant, The Harbour Market in Bangalore, and the Travancore Court in Kochi. His other business ventures include a seafood exporting company called Uniroyal Marine Exports, and an arts centre, Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre (JTPac). He also owns a pre- and post-production studio named Vismayas Max, at KINFRA Park, which is also a college for dubbing artists. It is taken up by the Aries Group, which is now renamed, Aries Vismaya Max. ^[4]The Indian Express

Brand/Goodwill Ambassador

Mohanlal has appeared in various commercials for major brands like Malabar Gold. He is the brand ambassador for MCR Dhotis, Oceanus, Kanan Devan Tea, and Goldmedal Electricals. He is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the AIDS Awareness Campaign in 2007, Kerala Athletics in 2009, Kerala Handloom Industry in 2010, Kerala State Road Safety Program – Subhayatra in 2015, and Deceased Organ Transplantation Program – Mrithasanjeevani in 2016.

Magic

Mohanlal learned to perform escape art called ‘Burning Illusion’ under the famous magician Gopinath Muthukad in 2012. The act required him to go through an object lit on fire with his hands tied and escape from it. There was a fifty percent risk involved in this act which led to a wide request from fans and friends to withdraw. He agreed to their demands. In 2014, he performed a risk-free magic show, which included levitating a young girl. ^[5]The Times of India

Awards & Honours

• Mohanlal received Padma Bhushan in 2019 and Padma Shri in 2001.
  

  Mohanlal receiving Padma Bhushan

• He is the recipient of 5 national awards and 9 state awards.
  

  Mohanlal received the National Award for Best Actor

• He has received Filmfare awards multiple times.

• Mohanlal received an honorary doctorate from the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in 2010

• Mohanlal received a Golden Visa from the United Arab Emirates in August 2021.

Controversies

Lip-syncing during musical performance

The music band, Lalisom – The Lal Effect, faced strong criticism after they were accused of lip-syncing during their performance at the 35th National Games opening ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram. Mohanlal reportedly returned the payment of Rs 1.63 Crore, even after the Government of Kerala insisted on taking the payment. ^[6]The Hindu

Possession of elephant tusks

Mohanlal was charged with the possession of elephant tusks in 2012 by the Forest Department, but later the court dismissed the case as legal documents were submitted.

Car Collection

• Toyota Vellfire worth Rs 90 Lakhs

• Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rs 1.36 Crores

• Mercedes-Benz GL350

• Kia EV6 Crossover ^[7]Cartoq

• Lamborghini Urus

• Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography ^[8]India TV

Tattoo

Mohanlal got a tattoo inked on his right upper arm.

Salary/Income

Mohanlal charges between Rs 8-17 crores per film. ^[9]The Times of India