Mohanlal At The Crossroads: Stardom Or Substance?

The Mohanlal Dilemma: Between Balancing Stardom & Artistic Expression

Mohanlal stands at a career crossroads—will he continue to bank on mass appeal, or return to the nuanced performances that defined his prime? His upcoming films Empuraan and Thudarum could redefine his legacy. Neelima Menon writes.

MOHANLAL is at a pivotal point in his career, where his choices will significantly impact his future success. Considered one of Indian cinema's finest and Kerala’s most loved actors, his legacy has always been rooted in his phenomenal performances of the 80s and 90s Malayalam cinema. But it is also true that the past two decades have seen a decline in his performative flair (his box-office impact remains undiminished), leaving fans and loyalists yearning for the return of the "Lal magic".

This year, Empuraan and Thudarum , are set to showcase two contrasting paths in Mohanlal’s career—mega-stardom and rootsy authenticity. If Empuraan , directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, scheduled for a March 27 release is expected to be high-octane and larger-than-life catering to Mohanlal's massive fan base, Thudarum , directed by Tharun Moorthy, promises to be more rootsy and authentic allowing Mohanlal to showcase his acting chops.

Will these films mark a resurgence of the actor's former glory, or will they perpetuate the shadow of his former self? Can he reclaim his throne as a master of his craft, or will he continue to rely on past laurels? The box office results of Empuraan and Thudarum are crucial, which can in turn influence the choices he makes in terms of selecting future projects, balancing commercial and artistic aspirations, as well as exploring new genres of roles.

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Circa 1986

As Vincent Gomes, the ruthless underworld kingpin enters the courtroom, he freezes, locking eyes with a photographer who has just snapped his picture. Wordlessly the photographer takes out the film and shreds it in front of Gomes, who nods in approval and walks away. This iconic scene from Rajavinte Makan (1986) is widely considered as Mohanlal’s big ticket to superstardom. His menacingly understated portrayal of Vincent Gomes who uses people to achieve his goals without hesitation, remains his ‘first’ image-breaking act.

Watch Rajavinte Makan on OTTplay Premium.

Significantly, the same actor had already established himself as the quintessential ‘boy-next-door’ with his earlier films. In the same year, he had played a goofy Gurkha in Gandhinagar 2nd Street , a whimsical lover in Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, and a man grappling with insanity in Thalavattam , thereby demonstrating his remarkable range.

The phenomenon continued to roll with ease as he masterfully balanced his portrayals of realistic heroism ( Moonam Mura, Irupatham Nootandu, Pingami, Sphadikam ) with intense, everyday characters that embodied normalcy.

5 Classic Mohanlal Films To Watch On OTTplay Premium

Circa 2000

In 1997, Mohanlal gave a sneak peek into his next major image-breaking makeover with his portrayal of Jagannathan, a high-profile thug with roots in a prominent upper-caste family in Shaji Kailas’ Aaram Thampuran . Jagan was a significant departure from everything he had embodied on screen till then—he was invincible, a knight in shining armour, insolent and unapologetic. However, it was in 2000 that Mohanlal’s transformation reached its pinnacle with Narasimham , crafted by the same team behind Aaram Thampuran . As Induchoodan, Mohanlal’s portrayal of machismo surpasses his previous iteration as Jagan. Although it was a template borrowed from Tamil/Telugu mainstream potboilers, Narasimham was infused with local flavour. The hero embodied hyper-masculinity with every punchline, romantic gesture, and fistfight, reinforcing his alpha-male persona. In Induchoodan, the boundaries between good and evil were skillfully blurred, giving rise to a new kind of glorified alpha-male archetype on screen.

From then on the actor’s career trajectory took a drastic turn where he never managed to truly shed his larger-than-life image. While he did deliver standout performances ( Udayananu Tharam, Bhramaram) , he largely played it safe, avoiding experimental roles, except for that rare Pranayam in which he was sublime as Mathew, a 60-year-old confined to a wheelchair. Ironically one of his finest performances in that decade was in a Hindi film, Company .

Watch Company on OTTplay Premium.

In the following years, Superstar Mohanlal underwent a significant transformation, emerging as a box-office phenomenon. He consistently delivered blockbuster hits, often relying on tried-and-true formulas, and is the only actor in Malayalam to have two 100-crore films in his name ( Pulimurugan and Lucifer ). His films, despite relying on the formulaic remained highly anticipated events, solidifying his reputation as a bankable star with the power to propel movies to unprecedented success.

Two decades. Walking away from experimenting

While one concedes that Mohanlal’s Botox treatment for Odiyan (2018) weighed heavily on his performances, limiting his previously expressive facial range, it cannot be a coincidence that parallelly his choice of films also seems to be influencing his judgment. Of his 18 releases since then only Drishyam 2 , Lucifer , Neru , and Malaikottai Valiban truly stood out. But then, even these roles didn't particularly challenge an actor of Mohanlal's exceptional talent, feeling more like effortless showcases of his skill. Notably, Prithviraj Sukumaran's Lucifer expertly leveraged Mohanlal's stardom and screen presence, achieving a feat that many of his other highly publicised films, such as Marakkar, Aarattu , and Monster , failed to deliver. His directorial debut, Barroz , which was last year’s Christmas release, at its most charitable can be termed amateurish, while the actor’s performance is nothing less than forgettable.

Watch Lucifer (Hindi dub) on OTTplay Premium.

Considering Malayalam cinema is now widely discussed and appreciated for its innovative storytelling, bold themes, and experimental approach, Mohanlal’s preference for consistently collaborating with established filmmakers relying on tired and conventional narratives is both baffling and alarming. “There are good new directors. But the stories are not up to the mark,” said Mohanlal in an interview with Galatta Plus adding that “older films had more drama, sentiments, and humour.” This attitude suggests not just a reluctance to embrace change but also to evolve as an artist. “Currently, Mohanlal is playing it safe, sticking to his comfort zone and familiar collaborators. His last truly experimental film was perhaps Pranayam . In contrast, Mammootty is actively seeking innovative projects and adapting to new roles. I'd love to see Mohanlal take a similar approach,” says journalist R Ayyappan.

That’s precisely why one of the most promising developments of last year was his collaboration with the visionary Lijo Jose Pellisery. Though the actor’s characterisation largely catered to a mass hero template and the film’s box-office performance was underwhelming, it brought a refreshing twist to a familiar formula. Journalist R Krishnakumar says he's eager to see Mohanlal work with more innovative filmmakers. He also adds, "I don't view Malaikottai Valiban as a failure; instead, I see it as a thoughtful experiment. If he continues to partner with new talent, I'm confident he'll find plenty of compelling material to showcase his remarkable acting abilities."

His latest collaboration, Thudarum with Tharun Moorthy who is known for bringing a fresh and innovative aesthetic to his films could just be the catalyst Mohanlal needs to revitalise his career and explore new creative horizons. That the actor is reuniting with Shobana , his co-star from several popular films in the 80s, is the icing on the cake. In a recent interview, Moorthy said he hoped to present a "common man" side of the actor, allowing audiences to connect with his character on a personal level. “I am not aiming to replicate familiar Mohanlal portrayals, but to explore new dimensions of his acting prowess,” he maintained.

Are you also a Shobana fan? Watch some of her most eclectic performances on OTTplay Premium.

“A mature love story would be a fascinating fit for Mohanlal. His on-screen persona is deeply rooted in the charming love stories of the 80s, making him a natural for this genre. It would be intriguing to see how he interprets and expresses love at this stage of his life, bringing a depth and nuance that only comes with age and experience,” observes Krishnakumar.

In the courtroom drama Neru (2023) , Mohanlal plays Vijayamohan, an advocate who has seen better days. One of the most impactful moments in the film is when his character delivers a spirited rejoinder to his opponent's vile attempt to slut-shame a rape survivor. This scene is particularly noteworthy given Mohanlal's past involvement in films that have objectified women. His portrayal of a character who champions the dignity and rights of a survivor can be seen as a form of reparation. This development is especially significant in the context of his recent films ( Monster and Aaraattu) , which have been criticised for their regressive content.

Having said that Mohanlal's film choices do reveal a discernible pattern. His collaborations with Prithviraj Sukumaran on Lucifer and Empuraan can be seen as a safe bet, as the film cleverly reworks familiar mass masala themes. Similarly, his repeated collaborations with Jeethu Joseph have consistently yielded successful results, suggesting a reliance on tried-and-tested partnerships. “I envision Mohanlal playing a role that showcases his elegance, such as a lovelorn doctor, rather than relying on familiar tropes like underworld dons. It's time for him to revisit his lighter side, offering a refreshing change of pace,” suggests Ayyappan.

ALSO READ | Revisiting Lucifer: How Prithviraj Sukumaran Reinvented The Quintessential Mainstream Alpha Male Hero

One of the most striking paradoxes in Mohanlal's career is that despite his debut as an anti-hero , he has largely avoided exploring his darker side since becoming a leading hero. A review of his filmography reveals a surprising absence of roles that delve into complexity and moral ambiguity. Krishnakumar agrees— “I would love to see him play characters with grey shades. An intriguing approach would be to cast him alongside younger heroes, subverting the conventional norm. Imagine him playing a complex, nuanced character, similar to Jack Nicholson's iconic role in A Few Good Men .”

This reluctance is particularly noteworthy given the current cinematic landscape, where younger actors and his peer Mammootty are fearlessly exploring complex, nuanced characters with shades of grey. Furthermore, contemporary audiences have demonstrated a willingness to engage with innovative storytelling and unconventional roles, making Mohanlal's hesitation to venture into darker territory even more pronounced.

Krishnakumar thinks the actor should “balance his mainstream successes with occasional forays into offbeat cinema, take calculated risks on 2-3 unconventional projects, while still catering to his traditional fan base.” Perhaps even within mainstream films, Mohanlal can still push boundaries by experimenting with unconventional roles and storytelling. All it takes is a dash of courage and an open mind. His legacy, after all, is already cemented for generations to come.

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