ACTOR BIOGRAPHY · MALAYALAM CINEMA
Mohanlal Biography: Life, Movies & Awards
From landmark Malayalam performances to India’s highest cinema honour, explore Mohanlal’s career, family, notable films and achievements.
Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair, widely known as Mohanlal or Lalettan, is an Indian actor, producer and playback singer whose work spans more than four decades.
Mohanlal · Actor, producer and singer
Born
21 May 1960
From
Kerala, India
Known for
Malayalam cinema
Also works as
Producer, singer
Mohanlal age, height and personal details
These are the main biographical details commonly searched by readers. Height reports vary between published profiles.
Who is Mohanlal?
Mohanlal is among the best-known figures in Malayalam cinema. His performances range from comedy and family drama to thrillers and films exploring demanding emotional subjects. Audiences know him for his natural screen presence and his ability to move between mainstream entertainment and character-led cinema.
Born on 21 May 1960 in Kerala, he first filmed a role in Thiranottam in 1978. His early widely seen screen appearance was as an antagonist in Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980). He became a leading actor through the 1980s and continued to work across Malayalam and other Indian film industries.
The Government of India describes a career spanning decades and honours that include the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Government biography and award announcement.
Early life and education
Mohanlal was born in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. He later studied in Thiruvananthapuram, where his interest in performing developed before his professional film career. His family includes his father Viswanathan Nair and mother Santhakumari.
Although his first filmed project was Thiranottam, Manjil Virinja Pookkal brought him to a wider audience. The contrast between these two early projects is why sources sometimes give different years for his debut.
Career: From early roles to major films
Mohanlal gained momentum through character roles in the 1980s before becoming one of Malayalam cinema’s leading actors. His performance in Kireedam (1989) was a major critical milestone, followed by acclaimed work in films such as Bharatham (1991) and Vanaprastham (1999).
He reached new audiences with the crime thriller Drishyam (2013). Other notable titles across his career include Thanmathra, Pulimurugan and Lucifer. He has also worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films.
On this page
Mohanlal in traditional attire
Career milestones
- 1978 – Films Thiranottam, an early acting project.
- 1980 – Appears in Manjil Virinja Pookkal, bringing him wider notice.
- 1989 – Receives national recognition for his performance in Kireedam.
- 1991 – Wins the National Film Award for Best Actor for Bharatham.
- 1999 – Plays a Kathakali artist in the acclaimed Vanaprastham.
- 2013 – Drishyam becomes one of his most widely discussed thrillers.
- 2019 – Receives the Padma Bhushan.
- 2025 – Receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023 at the 71st National Film Awards.
Mohanlal first movie, education and total film count
First movie: Mohanlal filmed Thiranottam in 1978, but its release was limited and delayed. The performance that introduced him widely was in Fazil’s Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980). That is why film histories sometimes give 1978 as his first acting credit and 1980 as his screen debut.
Total movies: Mohanlal has appeared in more than 360 feature films, primarily in Malayalam. Databases report different totals because of cameos, delayed releases and other credits. See the Malayala Chalachithram film list and MalayalaSangeetham catalogue.
Education: Mohanlal attended Mudavanmugal LP School and Model School in Thiruvananthapuram, then completed his graduation at Mahatma Gandhi College. His published biography timeline documents these early years.
Mohanlal birth star and horoscope
Some horoscope websites list Revathi as his nakshatra, while others list Uttara Bhadrapada. They use different reported birth times, neither independently verified for this article. His date of birth, 21 May 1960, is established, but the exact birth star should not be represented as a confirmed fact. Compare Clickastro and AstroSage.
Notable Mohanlal movies
These films show different sides of Mohanlal’s work, from emotionally intense dramas to popular thrillers and entertainers.
Mohanlal thriller, comedy, hit and Hindi-dubbed movies
These are selected movies grouped by audience interest. They are suggestions for exploring his filmography, not official rankings.
Which Mohanlal movies are flops or available in Hindi?
Box-office verdicts vary by production cost, distributor returns and source, so an exact list of every flop would be misleading. Some films are available in Hindi-dubbed versions, but streaming language options depend on the licensed distributor. Check the official release before assuming a dub exists. Browse film credits.
Mohanlal movies with Shobana, Sreenivasan, Jagathy and Manju Warrier
Popular searches also focus on Mohanlal’s film partnerships. These lists highlight recognisable shared credits rather than every appearance together.
Sources: Mohanlal–Shobana retrospective; Mohanlal–Sreenivasan film history.
Mohanlal latest movies (2025–2026)
For readers looking for Mohanlal’s latest movies, the following are selected film credits from 2025 and 2026, not his entire filmography. Release schedules and participation details should be rechecked when new projects are announced.
Film information reviewed: 31 October 2026. For announcements and updated credits, refer to Mohanlal’s filmography and Bollywood Hungama.
Mohanlal highest-grossing movies and box-office milestones
L2: Empuraan (2025), Thudarum (2025), Drishyam 3 (2026), Pulimurugan (2016) and Lucifer (2019) are among his major commercial successes. Pulimurugan was an important breakthrough for the Malayalam industry’s ₹100-crore club. Lucifer and its sequel achieved major box-office attention, while Thudarum was one of the top grossers of 2025.
Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, was released on 21 May 2026. Because worldwide gross, India net, distributor share and opening-day numbers are different measures, exact rankings should always name the metric and date. Box-office trackers do not always agree, so we do not publish a definitive lifetime earnings ranking without a consistent dataset.
Sources: Drishyam 3 release coverage and Mohanlal box-office analysis.
Awards and recognition
Mohanlal has received recognition for both his acting and his contribution to Indian cinema. According to India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, his honours include five National Film Awards alongside major civilian honours.
- Padma Shri (2001): Civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.
- Padma Bhushan (2019): One of India’s highest civilian honours.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Awarded for the year 2023 and presented in September 2025.
- National Film Awards: Including Best Actor recognition for Bharatham and Vanaprastham.
For the official announcement and award history, see the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Mohanlal’s official awards archive.
Mohanlal with fellow Malayalam cinema actor Mammootty
Family and personal life
Mohanlal’s father was Viswanathan Nair, a former Kerala government official, and his mother was Santhakumari. He also had an elder brother, Pyare Lal, who died in 2000. He grew up in Kerala and studied in Thiruvananthapuram.
Mohanlal married Suchitra Mohanlal on 28 April 1988. Suchitra is the daughter of Tamil film producer K. Balaji. She is his publicly documented spouse. They have two children: son Pranav Mohanlal, who works as an actor, and daughter Vismaya Mohanlal. Public biographical records do not identify any other spouse.
These are publicly documented family details, not speculation about private relationships. See the Mohanlal family biography and ZEE5 profile.
His mother Santhakumari died on 30 December 2025. Source: The Indian Express.
Beyond acting
Alongside acting, Mohanlal has worked as a producer, singer and, more recently, a director. He was appointed an honorary lieutenant colonel in India’s Territorial Army in 2009. His range of work across cinema and public life is part of the reason he remains a prominent cultural figure.
Mohanlal with his wife, Suchitra
Bigg Boss salary, honorary Army rank and ViswaSanthi Foundation
How much is Mohanlal paid for Bigg Boss Malayalam?
Mohanlal has hosted Bigg Boss Malayalam since the programme began in 2018. A 2026 media report cited approximately ₹30 crore per season, but that is an unverified estimate, not a disclosed contract. Older reports have cited different fees. There is no reliable public basis for an exact per-episode salary.
Is Mohanlal an Army lieutenant colonel?
On 9 July 2009, Mohanlal was inducted as an honorary lieutenant colonel in India’s Territorial Army, associated with the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA), Madras Regiment. It is an honorary appointment, not a regular full-time Army commission. Contemporary PTI coverage.
What is Mohanlal’s charitable trust?
He founded the ViswaSanthi Foundation in 2015. Named for his parents Viswanathan Nair and Santhakumari, it describes initiatives in education, health care and social development. Its official site publishes information about its activities.
Mohanlal official social media profiles
Follow Mohanlal on these public profiles for updates on films, appearances and announcements.
Mohanlal net worth: What is verified?
There is no publicly verified, audited figure for Mohanlal’s personal net worth. Some published media reports estimate it at around ₹450 crore, but this is a third-party estimate, not a financial disclosure by the actor.
His reported income and assets are associated with acting, production and business interests. A 2025 Indian Express report discusses the approximately ₹450-crore estimate and explains that the exact figure is unknown. Figures on celebrity-profile websites differ; treat all such estimates cautiously.
Mohanlal watch collection, appearance and family rumours
Does Mohanlal collect luxury watches?
He has been photographed wearing luxury timepieces. The Indian Express covered a Jacob & Co watch in January 2025. Claims about a complete collection or the price of every watch are not independently verified, so we avoid publishing speculative inventories.
What about Mohanlal’s weight loss, facelift or hair?
Changes in public appearance may prompt internet searches, but photographs cannot establish a person’s health status or whether they have undergone a cosmetic procedure. We do not present unconfirmed claims about Mohanlal’s weight, hair or cosmetic surgery as verified facts.
Is Mohanlal’s daughter married?
His daughter is Vismaya Mohanlal, and his son is Pranav Mohanlal. We do not infer or publish private relationship status from unverified social media claims. Readers should rely on a direct announcement or trustworthy reporting for such details.
Frequently asked questions about Mohanlal
How old is Mohanlal?
Mohanlal was born on 21 May 1960. He is 66 years old as of October 2026.
What is Mohanlal’s real name?
He is widely identified as Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair. His popular nickname is Lalettan.
Where was Mohanlal born?
He was born in Kerala, India, in the area that is now Pathanamthitta district.
Who is Mohanlal’s wife?
His wife is Suchitra Mohanlal. They married in 1988 and have two children.
Which movies is Mohanlal best known for?
Some of his best-known films include Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, Drishyam, Pulimurugan and Lucifer.
Did Mohanlal receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Yes. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023, presented at the 71st National Film Awards in September 2025.
What is Mohanlal’s date of birth?
Mohanlal was born on 21 May 1960 in Kerala, India.
What is Mohanlal’s height?
Published figures differ: IMDb lists 174 cm (5 ft 8½ in), while StarsUnfolded lists 172 cm (about 5 ft 7¾ in). His exact height is not independently verified here.
Who are Mohanlal’s parents?
His father was Viswanathan Nair and his mother was Santhakumari.
Did Mohanlal have any siblings?
Yes. He had an elder brother named Pyare Lal, who died in 2000.
How many wives has Mohanlal had?
His publicly documented wife is Suchitra Mohanlal, whom he married on 28 April 1988. Reliable biographical records consulted for this article do not name another spouse.
How many children does Mohanlal have?
Mohanlal and Suchitra have two children: son Pranav Mohanlal and daughter Vismaya Mohanlal.
What is Mohanlal’s net worth?
His exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Some media reports estimate it at around ₹450 crore, but it is not a confirmed or audited figure.
What are Mohanlal’s latest movies?
Selected recent films include Drishyam 3, Patriot, Jailer 2 and Thudakkam (2026), along with Thudarum, Hridayapoorvam and L2: Empuraan (2025).
What was Mohanlal's first movie?
Thiranottam was filmed in 1978. Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980) introduced him to a wider audience.
How many movies has Mohanlal acted in?
More than 360, although databases differ on which credits are included.
Which birth star is Mohanlal?
Astrology sites give conflicting answers because the birth time is unverified. Clickastro lists Revathi, while AstroSage lists Uttara Bhadrapada.
Where was Mohanlal educated?
He studied at Mudavanmugal LP School, Model School and Mahatma Gandhi College in Thiruvananthapuram.
How much does Mohanlal earn from Bigg Boss Malayalam?
Media outlets have reported estimates including ₹30 crore per season in 2026, but there is no verified public contract or per-episode fee.
Did Mohanlal become an Army lieutenant colonel?
Yes. He received an honorary lieutenant colonel appointment in the Territorial Army in July 2009.
What is ViswaSanthi Foundation?
A charity founded by Mohanlal in 2015 focused on education, health care and social development.
Which movies did Mohanlal make with Shobana?
Examples include Nadodikkattu, Manichitrathazhu, Thenmavin Kombath, Minnaram and Thudarum.
Sources and editorial notes
This biography was reviewed on 31 October 2026. Birth and family details were checked against published biographical references. Release information is time-sensitive and requires periodic review. Heights vary across sources; celebrity net-worth figures are third-party estimates, not verified disclosures.
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