“Life is a collage of events, really.”
― Mohanlal
“Friendship is accepting a person with all their qualities – good and bad.”
― Mohanlal
“I know it’s a craze in Bollywood to have six-pack abs, but here, it’s not the abs or the biceps that make us feel or look macho. Down south, the moustache still works for us!”
― Mohanlal
“Morality depends on individual freedom, and it requires some sense to know where to draw the line.”
― Mohanlal
“In developed countries, strong rules are in place to restrict sound pollution and curb its deadly effects. As law-abiding citizens with social responsibility, we should all come together against this unhealthy trend.”
― Mohanlal
“There’s this tendency to be held in great esteem if you are judgmental. A sort of moral policing, being opinionated. What right has one to act like judges? What right has one to police another?”
― Mohanlal
“If you are a very ordinary human being, nothing affects you, nothing bothers you, and nothing troubles you. That’s how I live my life.”
― Mohanlal
“There comes a turning point in the life of every person when he reflects on his journey and work and ponders on the next road to take. Is this the pinnacle, the ultimate? What next?”
― Mohanlal
“Cinema is an art form, a result of dedication of a number of people.”
― Mohanlal
“Happiness is not merely a word. It is a state of mind.”
― Mohanlal
“People want to see other’s secrets and get a peek into their lives.”
― Mohanlal
“Films are not meant to be watched only by fans but by everyone. Fans are those who like what we do. When we do things that only they like, then we are becoming their fans.”
― Mohanlal
“I don’t hope for anything. Not only in my professional life, but in my family life also. My total lifestyle is like that.”
― Mohanlal
“I have seen ‘A Wednesday,’ and it is a wonderful film.”
― Mohanlal
“I own a couple of restaurants in places like Dubai and Sharjah.”
― Mohanlal
“Being an actor doesn’t mean that I can’t react to what’s happening around me.”
― Mohanlal
“The thing about movies is that till it goes on floors, it’s just preparations for the film.”
― Mohanlal
“Cinema has given me everything in life, and I will continue acting till the end.”
― Mohanlal
“Death can come at any time to anyone. Everybody is equal before death.”
― Mohanlal
“If I had not made a film like ‘Vaanaprastham,’ I would not have been able to go to Cannes or any other festival. I would not have had a chance to act as a Kathakali artiste. I would not have had a chance to be with some of the greatest Kathakali artistes. I consider all this my good fortune.”
― Mohanlal
“Every actor, director, and producer want all their films to do well. So you choose the role carefully, listen to the script, and work hard. But there is no way of predicting whether it will be a hit or a flop.”
― Mohanlal
“I never ever aspired for anything in life. I don’t believe in planning or yearning for something very strongly. If something has to happen, it will happen.”
― Mohanlal
“Digitization has altered the nature of the film industry. Social media, especially, has become a decisive factor in determining a film’s box office success.”
― Mohanlal
“There is no big problem in the Malayalam industry. You shouldn’t think of the #MeToo as a movement, actually. It is a fad, and it is turning into something of a fashion. Anything like that will have a lifespan for a bit.”
― Mohanlal
“Kunjali Marakkar is one of the first naval commanders of Kerala. He was an expert at his craft.”
― Mohanlal
“Just like films, food is also a passion for me.”
― Mohanlal
“All my success belongs to those who have contributed in my pursuit of art, ranging from writers and directors to makeup artists, lighting crew, etc.”
― Mohanlal
“I liked the concept of ‘Lucifer.’”
― Mohanlal
“’Oppam’ is more of a director’s movie, especially because I play a visually-challenged hero in it. The character doesn’t have a perspective, and so cameras aren’t placed like how they are usually done in other movies. The angles and the way the scenes are captured are different.”
― Mohanlal
“We tend to have so many more close shots, which compels an artist to actually put in more effort than it is required otherwise. So, it is the expressions on the face, and how an actor presents his or her character, that really makes a scene. In such ways, Mollywood is a fabulous training ground for actors and actresses from other industries.”
― Mohanlal
“There was a time when not many people had access to Malayalam films. So those who did have access went on to copy the films, add a few bits, and present it like it was their own.”
― Mohanlal
“When I was in school, I used to go to the Pangode army camp, a stone’s throw away from where I was staying in Mudavanmugal in Poojapura, just to watch the army parade.”
― Mohanlal
“I have been writing my blog for several years. Whenever I have written about pertinent subjects, no one has supported them. For instance, the stray dog menace. I cycle in the morning every day, and I am still scared of stray dog attacks.”
― Mohanlal
“It’s my right to write on what I feel about certain incidents, and it’s your choice whether to read it or not.”
― Mohanlal
“You feel hurt when you hear things which you are supposed to have said, which you wouldn’t even have given a thought to.”
― Mohanlal
“I have a shot a lot of movies in Dubai.”
― Mohanlal
“It’s not enough that you act in a movie – if it has to work, the audience should like it.”
― Mohanlal
“Many talented actors have come into this industry and, in spite of their best efforts, haven’t been able to win over the audience.”
― Mohanlal
“I studied, gained friends, became a father, faced the clipboard unexpectedly for the first time, earned some beautiful moments with family and buddies in Thiruvananthapuram.”
― Mohanlal
“It’s a great honour for me to be a part of a Kamal Haasan film.”
― Mohanlal
“I believe that football can inspire youngsters to find the path of success in life.”
― Mohanlal
“TV has the most reach among the audience. Movies are watched only by those who like cinema.”
― Mohanlal
“The entertainment industry is humungous, and people have so many choices right now – they can watch web series, movies, stand-up comedies, and plays.”
― Mohanlal
“Be it cinema or TV, I have always been interested in taking up challenging projects.”
― Mohanlal
“I love to take some holidays. In fact, I am a guy who wants to take a break for at least 10 days after each movie.”
― Mohanlal
“People know I am not blind or have super strength, yet they believed in my characters in ‘Oppam’ and ‘Pulimurugan.’ It’s that belief of the audience that is also my greatest strength. Once that is gone, I might have to shut up shop and look for another job.”
― Mohanlal
“If you ask me whether I can direct, I can. In fact, I have shot several songs, scenes and stunts. When certain directors of my movies were not able to be there for some reason and had asked me to help out, I have directed. But to helm an entire movie is a different art altogether.”
― Mohanlal
“Every actor or director has their ups and downs.”
― Mohanlal
“In the Indian system of filmmaking, you don’t plan well in advance, stick to a storyboard, or deliver only the scripted lines.”
― Mohanlal
“If my co-stars perform better, I perform better.”
― Mohanlal
“I have learned to take things as they come.”
― Mohanlal
“I work, or spend much of my time with the same friends who were with me right from my first movie.”
― Mohanlal
“Destiny plays a very important role in my life.”
― Mohanlal
“I was into movies before my graduation results got out. In fact, I was on location of a movie when they came.”
― Mohanlal
“India has a law. The political parties or the religious heads have no right to control that law.”
― Mohanlal
“All my films can’t be like ‘Narasimham.’”
― Mohanlal
“Sometimes, you fall into a ditch without knowing it is there, without seeing it, but you try to come out of it. If you fall again, you will jump out again.”
― Mohanlal
“Once the director calls for action, we act; we stop when he says ‘Cut.’ It is sort of like meditation – unknowingly, you are moving out of yourself, becoming someone else. That is why I consider acting a form of meditation.”
― Mohanlal
“For me, every film is an interesting experience.”
― Mohanlal
“I do all my films happily, and I enjoy every moment of it.”
― Mohanlal
“I don’t get bored at all while acting.”
― Mohanlal
“I acted in my first film while in my second year of degree college, in 1978.”
― Mohanlal
“My first film was ‘Thiranottam.’ I cannot discount that film because I got initiated into films with it.”
― Mohanlal
“I have been lucky enough to portray many, many characters.”
― Mohanlal
“My roles have given me a lot of satisfaction. I became many individuals who were so different from me and whose experiences were so different from mine. I could experience all their emotions, their pains, their worries, their happiness.”
― Mohanlal
“I can never forget my first film – it was instrumental in me becoming an actor.”
― Mohanlal
“I used to act in plays when I was in school and college, but you cannot say that I was passionate about acting. I was only interested in being a part of the group, and the group was passionate about filmmaking.”
― Mohanlal
“Nothing was planned in my career.”
― Mohanlal
“Life is not about acting in films alone. There are so many things in life other than films and acting.”
― Mohanlal
“I don’t prepare for my characters.”
― Mohanlal
“I use my hands a lot while acting.”
― Mohanlal
“To me, only the filmmaker and the role matters.”
― Mohanlal
“In most films, when we act, we don’t see such meanings in what we do. Rather, we don’t realise it. Only when we see it as a continuous film later on do we realise such deep meanings. That is the brilliance of the director.”
― Mohanlal
“As an actor, we can only do what the director wants. Only the director has a vision of the entire film.”
― Mohanlal
“You cannot judge the performance of an actor in isolation. A performance becomes good because of so many factors, including the other actors.”
― Mohanlal
“Good films will happen only if there are people to produce good films and there are people to encourage the endeavour.”
― Mohanlal
“I have never, ever argued about money with any of my producers because that is the kind of relationship and understanding I have with them.”
― Mohanlal
“I was in school when ‘Sholay’ was released. I think recreating a film like that is a good idea.”
― Mohanlal
“Even in Hollywood, filmmakers are re-creating classics at regular intervals.”
― Mohanlal
“Somebody has to make good artistic films. Somebody has to break open the doors so that others also will follow and make good and meaningful films.”
― Mohanlal
“I was not the producer of ‘Vaanaprastham’ earlier. The first producers backed out when they became doubtful about the monetary benefits. I do not blame them. But as an actor, I wanted to make the film. So, I told Shaji sir that I would produce the film. It was only then we started shooting.”
― Mohanlal
“Acting is only my profession.”
― Mohanlal
“A film will be a hit or a flop in spite of my worrying about it.”
― Mohanlal
“Even when I was young, I never felt extreme feelings.”
― Mohanlal
“For an actor, it is great to have fans.”
― Mohanlal
“’Company’ has become a cult film. When people see me at the airport, and when I travel, they call me ‘Companywala.’”
― Mohanlal
“Priyadarshan has directed over 84 films and more than 150 ad films. With every film, he is growing. He knows his job well; he is thorough. His way of making a film and song or choreographing a scene is entirely different from other directors. He knows how to use an actor’s talent and how to handle an actor.”
― Mohanlal
“I have done films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada. I don’t find any difference.”
― Mohanlal
“No amount of praise should go to your head. You should always remain humble.”
― Mohanlal
“I feel there is an unknown energy pushing me to do certain things in life.”
― Mohanlal
“Robert de Niro is my favourite actor.”
― Mohanlal
“I generally have confidence in my directors.”
― Mohanlal
“I never argue with any director. When they say something will click, I believe them.”
― Mohanlal
“Priyadarshan makes good films because he is a good writer.”
― Mohanlal
“Acting is my profession; I enact all roles with sincerity.”
― Mohanlal
“When I started acting, I did many films without even an idea of what the script was about. The film would start, and then we would discover what we were expected to do on the sets. Those days have changed.”
― Mohanlal
“When I have something to say or share with my viewers, I turn to my blog, and even then, I make it clear that it is my take on certain events.”
― Mohanlal
“I don’t think I’m unduly extravagant.”
― Mohanlal
“I have a fairly good collection of paintings, both classical and contemporary.”
― Mohanlal
“I want to do roles that no one else has ever done, which I know is difficult.”
― Mohanlal
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