Memorable and Masterclass Movies of Mohanlal

“Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul,” said Mohanlal after receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. When writing about a legend like Mohanlal, often the medium of communication becomes inadequate. Mohanlal is predominantly an actor working in the Kerala film industry who is also a producer, distributor, singer, and director. Fondly called Lalettan by the people of Kerala, his first notable performance was as an antagonist in the film Manjil Virinja Pookkal, released in 1980. Many of his masterclass performances were born while working with legends of the film industry like Hariharan, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Padmarajan, Bharathan, and Lohithadas. Several of these are memorable movies of Mohanlal.

Described as the complete actor, Mohanlal has essayed complicated and compelling roles with ease and perfection. Scores of movies born with the bond of Sreenivasan and Priyadarshan brighten the list of movies of Mohanlal. His versatility was recognized with five National Film Awards, nine Kerala State Film Awards, and Filmfare Awards South. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest accolade in the field of Indian cinema. When he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from the president of India on 23 September 2025, he became the youngest recipient of the award.

Mr. Mohanlal’s contribution to the field of art, literature, and cinema is recognized with the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army in 2009.  Honorary doctorates from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in 2010 and the University of Calicut in 2018 further enhance his reputation.

To list out the best of the movies of Mohanlal is a daunting task. Nevertheless, I would like to have the list embellished with a few of the memorable movies of Mohanlal.

Sadayam

Year: 1992
Director: Sibi Malayil
Writer: M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Awards: National Film Award for Best Screenplay – M. T. Vasudevan Nair

A psychological drama that portrays the life of Sathyanathan, who is condemned to death for committing multiple murders. Among his victims are two young girls. What makes the plot stand out is the performance of Mohanlal as Sathyanathan. He serves his imprisonment knowing his fate without any remorse or unhappiness. Intermittently, in flashback,s his life as a talented artist and what drives him to commit the murders are revealed. Probably, it is the most depressing movie Mohanlal has acted in.

Manichitrathazhu

Year: 1993
Director: Fazil
Writer: Madhu Muttam
Awards: Two national awards and multiple state awards

This is my personal favorite when I think of the best movie by Mohanlal. A psychological, comedy, horror, thriller movie that seems to evoke the same sense of emotions even after decades. The role of Dr. Sunny, essayed by Mohanla,l characteristically impacts the narration of the story. Although the character of Ganga or Nagavalli becomes the center of interest. The movie became so popular that it was later released in Hindi, titled Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and in three other languages.

Vanaprastham: The Last Dance

Year: 1999
Director: Shaji N Karun
Writer: Shaji N Karun
Awards: Multiple state awards, nominated for a national award, and Cannes Film Festival

The plot is set in a time when the caste system was prevalent in the country. Mohanlal is portrayed as a Kathakali artist named Kunjikuttan. Although a gifted artist, he faces rejection and shame as he belongs to a lower cast. Even the woman he thinks loves him loves only the artist in him, not the person he is. The movie showcases the artistic expressions of the actor as a Kathakali artist despite not being trained as one!

Bharatham

Year: 1991
Director: Sibi Malayil
Writer: A.K Lohithadas
Awards: Three National Awards and Multiple state awards.

It is a musical family drama that emotionally overpowers your heart and fills your eyes. Kalloor Ramanathan is a popular and sought-after Karnatic singer whose younger brother is Gopinathan. Ramanathan’s alcoholism affects his singing. During one concert, an intoxicated Ramanathan fails to perform, and his younger brother Gopi takes over and sings exceptionally well. Gopi becomes instantly popular, and the beautiful bond between the brothers is strained. The subsequent accidental death of Ramanathan and the mental trauma being suffered by Gopi, portrayed by Mohanlal, is heart-wrenching.

Thoovanathumbikal

Year: 1987
Director: P Padmarajan
Writer: P Padmarajan
Awards: Three state awards.

Considered to be one of the evergreen Malayalam romantic movies, the plot provides a different dimension to love. The characters of Jayakrishnan and Clara have a special place in the hearts of Malayalam movie lovers.

Kireedam

Year: 1989
Director: Siby Malayil
Writer: A. K. Lohithadas
Awards: Special mention at the National Awards and two state awards.

When you think of watching Mohanlal movies, you cannot help but add this movie to the October movies list. Achuthan Nair is a simple and sincere police constable. His eldest son is Sethumadhavan, who is an aspiring police inspector. Sethu has three other siblings and is in love with a girl. His beautiful world is shattered after a scuffle with a local goon in a bid to protect his father.

Aaraam Thampuran

Year: 1997
Director: Shaji Kailas
Writer: Ranjith
Awards: Multiple state awards.

The story revolves around Jagannadhan, a Mumbai-based don who shifts to Kerala after buying a Royal house in a place called Kanimangalam in Kerala. From the luxurious and dangerous lifestyle in Mumbai, his transformation to a local Lord who becomes a savior for the locals is amusing.

Kaalapani

Year: 1996
Director: Priyadarshan
Writer: Damodaran
Awards: Four National Awards and Multiple state awards.

The story of Dr. Govardhan Menon, who is wrongly sentenced and imprisoned, is set in pre-independent India. He is captured on his wedding day. Without knowing his whereabouts, Parvathy continues her wait even after fifty years!

Drishyam

Year: 2013
Director: Jeethu Joseph
Writer: Jeethu Joseph
Awards: Two State awards and Filmfare awards South.

A mystery thriller that has Georgekutty and his family entangled in a murder. The movie was so well accepted that it was subsequently released in multiple languages.  Later, part 2 was released in 2022, and part 3 is expected as well.

A long list of comedy family drama movies of Mohanlal could be added to the list as well. Chithram, Thenmavin Kombath, Kilukkam, Vandanam, Chandralekha, Minnaram, and Yoddha are all well-received by the audience. Spadikam, Devasuram, Vietnam Colony, His Highness Abdullah, and Indrajalam are a few entertaining movies of Mohanlal.

A few other movies of Mohanlal that leave a lasting grief in your heart include Dasharatham, Kamaladalam, Nammukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal, Sukhamo Devi, Chenkol, Thanmathra, Bhramaram, etc.

 Iruvar, Company, Jilla, and Janatha Garage are his popular non-Malayalam movies.

It is interesting to note that in the year 2025, Mohanlal had three superhit films. L2: Empuraan, Thudarum, and Hridayapoorvam are all industry hits and well accepted by the audience worldwide.

How many actors can express nava rasas with ease and elan? I wonder if there is a more, more complete actor and human being than Lalettan in the film industry in India today.