Synopsis
Mohanlal, the Malayalam film icon, reflects on his four-decade career, expressing his desire to continue learning and improving as an actor. Despite his accolades, he credits his colleagues and directors for shaping his journey while promoting his latest film, 'L2: Empuraan.'Key Takeaways
- Mohanlal considers himself a lifelong learner in acting.
- He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in filmmaking.
- His latest film is a sequel, promising a mix of politics and action.
- He feels no pressure about the film's release, focusing on artistic integrity.
- Recognition and awards stem from collective efforts, not just individual talent.
New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) Renowned as a pivotal figure in reshaping Indian cinema, Malayalam film legend Mohanlal stands as a true icon. Spanning a remarkable career of over four decades and boasting a filmography exceeding 400 films, his performances have consistently captivated audiences. Yet, despite this impressive legacy, Mohanlal expresses that he is still evolving and aims to be a “good actor.”
At the age of 18, Mohanlal commenced his acting journey with the 1978 Malayalam feature Thiranottam, although its release was postponed for 25 years due to censorship hurdles. The 64-year-old's official screen debut occurred in the 1980 romantic film Manjil Virinja Pookkal, where he portrayed the antagonist.
What are his thoughts on the label of being a star?
“I am just evolving. This is a journey. Allow me to become a good actor, then I will provide a suitable response,” Mohanlal shared with IANS.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019. Notably, in 2009, he became the first Indian actor to receive the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army.
Given the recognition and accolades he has garnered, has he ever faced moments of self-doubt?
He reflected: “This is an inherent aspect of our profession. If you excel, you will receive awards. If your film is remarkable, accolades will follow. This is a profound question. How? It is because of our colleagues, the script, and the collaboration with an adept director. They shape us. Thus, the entire credit belongs to them, not solely to the actor.”
Mohanlal’s latest venture is “L2: Empuraan,” a sequel to the 2019 hit “Lucifer.” Like its predecessor, “L2 Empuraan” features a blend of politics, action, suspense, thrill, and mystery.
When asked if he believes this concoction is the key to a blockbuster, the five-time National Film Award recipient stated: “It’s about how you construct the sequences and position a song. It’s an intelligent endeavor. It’s not a secret formula, but achieving that format poses challenges. If action is needed, it must be included.”
“Thus, the sequences are essential, and if an emotion is required, it should be present. It’s a combination of all elements. If the placement is incorrect, it won’t work. However, like Lucifer, it was a perfect blend—a well-orchestrated, superbly crafted script. The script is paramount, and how it is executed showcases the director’s brilliance.”
Mohanlal expresses zero “nervousness” as the film, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, premieres on March 27.
“We have produced an exceptional piece of art. As he mentioned, this is convincing for us. We’ve created magic or something special. We’ve done it with complete dedication and integrity. Now we present it to the audience. We hope for your acceptance.”
“That acceptance is already present, so it’s not pressure. It’s genuinely a beautiful relief. If it succeeds, fantastic. If not, we have still done our job. You cannot go back and rectify it. We simply present our appreciation or feedback to the audience. That’s why we’re discussing it. Otherwise, we are quite relaxed. We are content and enjoying,” added the star, who was the Kerala state wrestling champion in 1977 and 1978.
