Mohanlal

Born: 21 May 1960

Mohanlal is a powerhouse of Indian cinema with a career spanning over four decades and more than 400 films to his name. The Kerala-born legend made his screen debut in 1980 and quickly evolved from playing villains to becoming one of the most bankable leading actors in the industry. His contributions to cinema have been recognized at the highest levels—he's a two-time recipient of India's prestigious civilian honors, Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019), and most recently crowned with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2025, the highest honor in Indian cinema. Beyond acting, Mohanlal has also worked as a filmmaker, producer, and playback singer, making him a multifaceted creative force. What sets Mohanlal apart is his versatility and willingness to push boundaries across different film industries—while he's primarily a Malayalam cinema icon, he's also made memorable appearances in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. He's known for bringing depth and authenticity to his roles, whether in intense dramas or larger-than-life action sequences, and has genuinely shaped the landscape of Indian cinema as we know it. In 2009, he became the first Indian actor to receive an honorary lieutenant colonel rank in the Territorial Army, adding another feather to his cap. His recent work continues to command respect and audience attention, proving that even after all these years, Mohanlal remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of cinema.