Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal has credited veteran director Fazil for shaping his acting career, saying the filmmaker was the one who transformed his life forever. The actor’s heartfelt words came shortly after he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honour in cinema.
Born on 21 May 1960 in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair began his journey into films almost by chance. Recalling his early days, the actor shared, “Forty-eight years ago, I knew nothing about cinema. My friends and I wanted to make a small film, and my photos somehow reached director Fazil. That’s how I got my first role in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. It was Fazil who made me an actor and gave me a new life.”
Mohanlal’s emotional recollection has gone viral on social media, with fans and film lovers celebrating his humility. Many praised the actor for acknowledging the people who stood by him at the beginning of his illustrious career.
From that first film, Mohanlal went on to become one of India’s most respected and versatile actors, working across Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu cinema. Over the years, he has received six National Film Awards, including four Special Jury Awards, and several Kerala State and Filmfare Awards. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema.
At the Kerala government’s ceremony celebrating his Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior officials praised Mohanlal for his decades-long dedication to the craft.
Reflecting on the honour, Mohanlal said, “When I received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, I thought about all the great artists who were chosen before me and the immense legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke himself.”
Even after more than four decades in the industry, Mohanlal remains grounded. His success story, rooted in gratitude and hard work, continues to inspire aspiring actors across India.
Mohanlal often says that without Fazil guiding and believing in his talent, his journey from an ordinary youngster to one of India’s greatest actors would never have been possible.
