Mohanlal is called the Prince of Malayalam cinema. As a prince he still reigns supreme in the hearts of Malayalam cine audience even after 25 years. No other actor in Malayalam cinema has so many good movies and hits like Mohanlal. Picking his best five movies is a tedious and interesting task because he has so many memorable movies that you cannot fully do justice to your selection.
1) BHARATHAM: A soul-stirring movie with national-award winning performance from Mohanlal. Mohanlal plays a musician-singer. The speciality of the movie is the brilliant story and truly memorable performance from Mohanlal. You somehow feel he is not acting, but has become the character himself and makes you feel for the emotions the character is dealing with. No person can help crying while seeing this movie because the emotions rule over you heart. I still remember the climax scene when everybody blames Mohanlal for his elder-brother’s death. Mohanlal walks to his brother’s wife and she tells Mohanlal’I know you more than anybody else in this world’.A must-see movie.
Genre: Musical, Tragedy
Co-stars: Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, Murali etc
Directed by: Sibi Malayil
2) SPADIKAM: One of the most high-voltage performance from Mohanlal in which he plays a character called’Adu Thoma’ - a local rowdy. The highlight of the movie is the relationship between father(Thillakan) and son(Mohanlal). Mohanlal transforms into a rowdy because of his father’s ill-treatment and reluctance to accept him. Later how the Mohanlal manages to patch up with his father with the help of others forms the story. Mohanlal’s style in this movie is sure to appeal to many people. I would count this movie as one of the most entertaining movies in Malayalam cinema.
Genre: Emotions & Action
Co-stars: Urvashi, Thillakan, KPAC Lalitha, Ashokan, Rajan P Devan
Directed by: Bhadran
3) DASARATHAM: One of my favorite movies about innocence, love and relationships. Backed by a good story Mohanlal delivers a very good performance. Many people dont consider this movie to be Mohanlal’s best as such, but I feel this movie is something special. The story is about a rich-spoilt brat played by Mohanlal who suddenly develops a liking towards young children but does not to marry because he dislikes women. What does he do?. He buys a surrogate mother using his money. Again you can’t help crying after watching this movie as the movie approaches the climax. Mohanlal’s performance is adorable for the innocence, naughtiness and intensity he brings to his role. I believe Mohanlal should have got a national award for this movie and I dont know how he missed out.
Genre: Drama, Emotions
Co-Stars: Rekha, Nedumudi Venu, Murali, Sukumaran
Directed by: Sibi Malayil
4) VANDANAM: One of the most entertaining movies in malayalam cinema. I have just lost count as to how many times I have watched this movie. Mohanlal plays a police-officer in this movie. He is on a mission to nab the herione’s father who has escaped from jail to seek revenge against the baddies. The way Mohanlal tries to pacify the herione is truly memorable and funny. There can’t be anybody better than Mohanlal to play the lover boy role and this movie proves it.Just watch this for pure entertainment.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action
Co-Stars: Girija, Nedumudi Venu, Mukesh, Jagadeesh, Janardhan
Directed by: Priyadarshan
5) T P BALAGOPALAN M.A: There are so many good movies of Mohanlal and hence the fifth choice was a little difficult. However I pick this movie for its simplicity. This is the movie Mohanlal did in his early career and has delivered a super performance. In this movie he co-stars with Shobana - the most evergreen combination of malayalam cinema.
Genre: Story, Romance
Co-Stars: Shobana, Sukumari, KPAC Lalitha
Directed by: Satyan Antikad
There are so many other beautiful movies of Mohanlal which are truly memorable and evergreen. To name a few. Killukkam, Kireedam, Manichitrathazhu, Chithram, Nadodikattu, His Highess Abdullah, Pavitram, Aryan, Thoovanathumbikal, Devasuram, Mukundetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu, Gandhi Nagar 2ND Street, Narasimham .the list just goes on and on and on. Mohanlal is the best because he combines good acting with his evergreen charisma and will always remain the most loved superstar of Malayalam cinema.