Mohanlal is the greatest actor India has ever produced. This is according to directors ranging from Shaji N. Karun, Mani Rathnam, and Priyadarshan, to Ram Gopal Varma. Lal's rise to fame began with roles as villains, until the late eighties when he was introduced to India as a leading man by the director Fazil. Lal went on to become Kerala cinema's most reknowned and popular actor, sharing the spotlight only with his contemporary, Mammooty. Popularity aside, he has shaped an impressive career with a body of work that can be the envy of any actor.
His work with Sibi Malayil in Kireedam gave him a special mention in the National Awards of India, and he later won the Best Actor prize for his work in Malayil's Bharatham. More recently, he bagged another Best Actor trophy for his role in Shaji N Karun's Vaanaprastham. Vaanaprastham won him acclaim from Kerala to Cairo; from the US to Cannes, where it was screened and where Lal was lauded by internationally reknowned European directors and critics. Today, he is called the Robert De Niro of India, slipping into a variety of roles with unparalled ease. His defining characteristic is his extraordinary versatility; being able to play both dramatic and comic roles with the same level of sheer excellence. Mohanlal has proven himself to be one of the finest actors working today.
