# Mohanlal filmography
The **Mohanlal filmography** is the record of screen work by Mohanlal (മോഹൻലാൽ; born 1960), an Indian actor, producer, and playback singer who has worked mainly in [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema) since his first film, *Thiranottam*, was made in 1978. Estimates of its size differ by source: Indian Film History lists 253 titles[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal), the MalayalaSangeetham database counts 391 films acted in and 356 released[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Mohanlal&category=actors), and the [National Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-awards) citation describes a career of around 400 films across multiple languages[3](https://nfaindia.org/en).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First film | *Thiranottam* (1978), made by friends' company Bharath Cine Group, in which he played a comic role; released in only one theater[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) |
| Screen debut | *Manjil Virinja Pookkal* (1980), as the villain Narendran[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) |
| Peak output | 34 films released in 1986 alone, playing the hero or a central character in each[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/) |
| Major awards | Five National Film Awards, the Padma Shri (2001), the Padma Bhushan (2019), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2023)[3](https://nfaindia.org/en) |
| Box-office firsts | *Drishyam* (2013) was the first Malayalam film to cross the 500 million (50 crore) mark; *Pulimurugan* (2016) the first to enter the 1 billion (100 crore) club[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) |
| Non-Malayalam work | Tamil debut in Mani Ratnam's *Iruvar* (1997); Hindi debut in *Company* (2002)[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) • [1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal) |
| Distinction | First actor in India given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (2009)[3](https://nfaindia.org/en) |
## Beginnings: 1978 to 1985
Mohanlal's entry into film came through his friends, who started a company called Bharath Cine Group and made *Thiranottam*, in which he played a comic role; the film was released in only one theater[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). It was delayed in release for 25 years due to censorship issues[6](https://schoolwiki.kite.kerala.gov.in/images/8/8c/38034-pta-stgeorgehskizhavalloor-2019.pdf). His first released film was Fazil's romance *Manjil Virinja Pookkal* (1980), produced by Navodaya Appachan, in which he played the sadistic young villain Narendran, a performance that gave a new dimension to negative characters[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography).
For years after that debut he was mostly confined to gray-shaded or side characters, taking whatever opportunities came his way[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/). Performances in films such as *Poochakkoru Mookkuthi*, *Boeing Boeing*, *Adiyozhukkukal*, and *Aram + Aram = Kinnaram* established him as a bankable actor alongside [Mammootty](https://www.edgepedia.org/mammootty)[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/).
## 1986: the breakthrough year
**1986** transformed his standing. He starred in 34 films that year, playing the hero or one of the central characters in all of them[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/); Indian Film History puts the count at 36 films in 1986 alone[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal). The year covered comedy, with *Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu*, *Hello My Dear Wrong Number*, and *Thalavattam* made with director [Priyadarshan](https://www.edgepedia.org/priyadarshan), and tragedy, with *Ninnistham Ennishtam*, Hariharan's *Panchagni*, and Venu Nagavally's *Sukhamo Devi*[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/).
Awards followed. Sathyan Anthikad's *T.P. Balagopalan M.A.* won him his first [Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerala-state-film-award-for-best-actor), and *Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam* brought his first Filmfare Award South for Best Actor[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) • [5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/). He also worked three times that year with P. Padmarajan, including the romantic drama *Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal*[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/).
The gangster film *Rajavinte Makan* (1986), in which he played an underworld don, elevated him to stardom in the Malayalam industry[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). The film had been rejected by Mammootty and was shot in 32 days on a budget of Rs 4 million (Rs 40 lakh); it opened to positive reviews after its first show[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-rose-to-superstardom-with-rajavinte-makan-that-was-rejected-by-mammootty-10493530/lite/).
## The late 1980s and 1990s
The romantic comedy *Chithram* (1988) ran in theaters for 366 days and became one of the longest-running Malayalam films[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal). He won the National Film Special Jury Mention for his portrayal of Sethu Madhavan in the crime tragedy *Kireedam* (1989)[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal).
In the 1990s he acted in commercial and art films including *His Highness Abdullah*, *Midhunam*, *Minnaram*, and *Manichithrathazhu*, with the drama *Devasuram* (1993) becoming a cult classic[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) • [1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal). He produced and starred in *Bharatham* (1991), a modern-day telling of the Ramayana from Bharath's perspective, which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal).
His non-Malayalam debut came in [Mani Ratnam](https://www.edgepedia.org/mani-ratnam)'s Tamil film *Iruvar* (1997), in which he played an actor turned politician; the film was a critical success and won Best Film at the Belgrade International Film Festival[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) • [1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal). *Guru* (1997) was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). *Vanaprastham* (1999), an Indo-French period drama about a [Kathakali](https://www.edgepedia.org/kathakali) artist that he produced and Shaji N. Karun directed, won him his second National Award for Best Actor and screened at the Cannes Film Festival[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography) • [1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal).
## 2000 onward
The 2000s brought larger-than-life action roles. [Aashirvad Cinemas](https://www.edgepedia.org/aashirvad-cinemas)' first film, *Narasimham* (2000), released in 32 centers in Kerala, ran for 200 days, and grossed Rs 220 million (Rs 22 crore)[8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-malayalam-cinemas-greatest-actor-billionaire-with-rs-447-crore-empire-smart-business-choices-10434844/lite/). His Hindi debut came in *Company* (2002), in which he played Mumbai police officer IPS Sreenivasan; the role won him the IIFA and Star Screen Awards for Best Supporting Actor[1](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal).
The military drama *Keerthichakra* (2006), in which he played Major Mahadevan, was a breakthrough action film, and in 2009 the [Indian Army](https://www.edgepedia.org/indian-army) conferred on him the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). In the 2010s, *Drishyam* (2013) became the first Malayalam film to cross the 500 million (50 crore) mark and *Pulimurugan* (2016) the first to enter the 1 billion (100 crore) club[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). His Telugu role in *Janatha Garage* (2016) was a major success, extending his appeal across [South India](https://www.edgepedia.org/south-india)[4](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography). He made his directorial debut with the fantasy film *Barroz* (2024)[9](https://themohanlal.com/).
## Recurring collaborations
Several long partnerships shaped the filmography. The Priyadarshan-Mohanlal team is described as arguably the most successful director-actor duo in the history of Malayalam cinema; Priyadarshan also began his career as an assistant director on *Thiranottam*[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/priyadarshan-mohanlal-movies-box-office-unpredictability-mithunam-thenmavin-kombath-10740669/). With screenwriter Ranjith, whose hits with Mohanlal included *Devaasuram* and *Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal*, and director [Shaji Kailas](https://www.edgepedia.org/shaji-kailas) he formed another successful pairing: their partnership began with *Aaraam Thampuran* (1997), ran through *Narasimham*, one of the most successful films in Malayalam cinema history, and reached eight collaborations with *Alone* (2023)[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/a-look-at-shaji-kailas-mohanlal-illustrious-journey-over-the-years-alone-8404706/).
On screen, his pairings with Revathy (*Kilukkam*, *Devasuram*) and Shobana (*Manichitrathazhu*, *Thenmavin Kombath*, *Minnaram*) are regarded as classics[12](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/05/21/mohanlal-at-66-on-screen-partnerships-that-charmed-malayalis.amp.html). He and [Sreenivasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/sreenivasan) worked together in more than 20 films, many directed by Sathyan Anthikad[12](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/05/21/mohanlal-at-66-on-screen-partnerships-that-charmed-malayalis.amp.html). Before becoming superstars in their own right, Mohanlal and Mammootty had shared screen space in more than 50 films, and they continued to collaborate into the 2020s with *Patriot*[12](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/05/21/mohanlal-at-66-on-screen-partnerships-that-charmed-malayalis.amp.html).
## Recognition
Mohanlal has been honored with five National Film Awards, the [Padma Shri](https://www.edgepedia.org/padma-shri), and the [Padma Bhushan](https://www.edgepedia.org/padma-bhushan)[3](https://nfaindia.org/en). In 2009 he became the first actor in India to be given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army[3](https://nfaindia.org/en), and in 2023 he received the [Dadasaheb Phalke Award](https://www.edgepedia.org/dadasaheb-phalke-award), the highest award in Indian cinema[3](https://nfaindia.org/en).
## References
1. [Mohanlal — Filmography & Biography, Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/mohanlal)
2. [Mohanlal / മോഹൻലാൽ, MalayalaSangeetham.Info](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Mohanlal&category=actors)
3. [Dadasaheb Phalke Award — Mohanlal, National Film Awards](https://nfaindia.org/en)
4. [Biography Timeline — Mohanlal, The Complete Actor](https://www.thecompleteactor.com/about-mohanlal/biography)
5. [34 films, first State Award, exceptional performances and superstardom, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/34-films-first-state-award-exceptional-performances-and-superstardom-how-mohanlal-at-26-altered-the-course-of-his-journey-in-just-one-year-9334890/)
6. [School Wiki, Kerala (Mohanlal biography extract)](https://schoolwiki.kite.kerala.gov.in/images/8/8c/38034-pta-stgeorgehskizhavalloor-2019.pdf)
7. [Mohanlal rose to superstardom with Rajavinte Makan, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-rose-to-superstardom-with-rajavinte-makan-that-was-rejected-by-mammootty-10493530/lite/)
8. [Mohanlal Net Worth 2025 / Aashirvad Cinemas success story, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-malayalam-cinemas-greatest-actor-billionaire-with-rs-447-crore-empire-smart-business-choices-10434844/lite/)
9. [The Complete Actor Mohanlal (official site)](https://themohanlal.com/)
10. [Priyadarshan on Mohanlal films and box-office unpredictability, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/priyadarshan-mohanlal-movies-box-office-unpredictability-mithunam-thenmavin-kombath-10740669/)
11. [Shaji Kailas and Mohanlal's journey over the years, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/a-look-at-shaji-kailas-mohanlal-illustrious-journey-over-the-years-alone-8404706/)
12. [Mohanlal at 66: Six of the actor's best onscreen pairings, Onmanorama](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/05/21/mohanlal-at-66-on-screen-partnerships-that-charmed-malayalis.amp.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Actor filmographies and performer list articles*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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