Mohanlal Viswanathan is an Indian actor, film producer, playback singer, film distributor, and director who predominantly works in Malayalam film industry besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. Mohanlal has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 400 films. Mohanlal's contributions to the Malayalam cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 2001, and Padma Bhushan in 2019, India's fourth and third highest civilian honours, for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 2009, he became the first actor in India to be awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army. Mohanlal was named as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema" by CNN-News18.
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil language films. He has also appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five decades, he has acted in more than 400 films. He is the recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, eight Kerala State Film Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. For his contribution to film, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1998. In 2022, he was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the Government of Kerala.
Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist, producer, and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. Ranjith made his directorial debut in 2001 with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devaasuram. His films Thirakkatha and Indian Rupee won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011 respectively. He is also the current chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
Adiyozhukkukal (transl. Undercurrents) is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair; starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, Seema, Balan K. Nair, Vincent and Rahman. The film was produced by Raju Mathew under the banner of Casino and was distributed by Century Films.
Yathra is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Mammootty and Shobana, while Adoor Bhasi, Thilakan and Alummoodan play supporting roles. The film tells a fictional story but is built upon the human rights violations by the police and the prison authorities in India during the emergency of 1975–1977, when the fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended. It is an adaptation of the 1977 Japanese classic The Yellow Handkerchief.
Gandhinagar 2nd Street is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Anthikad. It stars Mohanlal in the lead role, with Karthika, Seema, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Innocent, Sukumari and K. P. A. C. Lalitha in supporting roles. The film also has Mammootty in a Cameo appearance. The music was composed by Shyam. The film was remade in Telugu as Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi (1987) and in Tamil as Annanagar Mudhal Theru (1988).
Nanayam (transl. Coin) is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by T. Damodaran. The film stars Madhu, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Seema, Poornima Jayaram, and Srividya. It is the story of two step brothers, Babu and Raju, who takes over the business of their parents, and the problems they encounter while running it. The music was composed by Shyam.
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by K. Madhu, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mukesh, and Sukumaran. The lead character, CBI officer Sethurama Iyer is inspired by a police officer named Radha Vinod Raju, Jammu and Kashmir cadre IPS Officer who in 2009 was appointed as the first chief of India's National Investigation Agency. It was the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time. Considered one of the best crime thrillers in Malayalam, it eventually developed a cult following. This is the first instalment in the CBI film series featuring Mammootty as Sethurama Iyer.
Ahimsa (transl. Non-violence) is a 1981 Malayalam-language political film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by T. Damodaran, starring Sukumaran, Mammootty, Ratheesh, Poornima Jayaram, Seema, Balan K. Nair, Mohanlal and Menaka in other supporting roles. The film won two Kerala State Film Awards, for Second Best Actor (Mammootty) and Best Editor (Narayanan).
Manu Uncle is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Dennis Joseph and produced by Joy Thomas. Starring Mammootty, M. G. Soman, Prathapachandran, Lissy, and B. Thyagarajan. Mohanlal made a cameo appearance as himself. The film was theatrically released on 7 April 1988 and was a box office success, completing a 100-day run in theatres. The film won a National Award for Best Children's Film. Suresh Gopi also appeared in a cameo role, playing the character S.I Minnal Prathapan. The character eventually developed a cult following several years after the release of the film.
Asthram (transl. Arrow) is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. N. Menon. The film stars Bharath Gopi, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu and Jyothi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. This movie is loosely based on the Nanavati murder case. Author Bibekanada Ray described the film as one of Menon's films "dealing with various contemporary political and social concerns" in her book about India's offbeat cinema.
Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language satirical comedy drama film directed by Sibi Malayil, written by Sreenivasan and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal, Menaka, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Mamukkoya, Sukumari, Kunjandi, Sreenivasan, Sanath Mathur Innocent and K. P. A. C. Sunny in major roles. The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
Sunitha is an Indian actress known for her roles in films made in South India from 1986 to 1996.
Sajid Yahiya is an Indian film director, actor, producer and music composer who works in Malayalam cinema. His directorial debut was in 2016 with the film IDI - Inspector Dawood Ibrahim. He is the founder of a film production company, CP Film Productions.
Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram is a 1985 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. G. Vishwambharan and produced by Hameed and K. T. Kunjumon. The film stars Mammootty, Rahman, Shobhana, Thilakan and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. Mohanlal's Balettan is loosely adapted from this film.
Enikkum Oru Divasam is a 1982 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film written, directed and produced by Sreekumaran Thampi. The film stars Mohanlal, Adoor Bhasi, Nedumudi Venu, and Seema. The music for the film was composed by Shyam, Thampi also wrote lyrics for the film's songs. The film was a commercial success and is a landmark film in Mohanlal's career for featuring his first major leading role (hero).
Ithrayum Kaalam is a 1987 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by N. G. John. The film stars Madhu, Mammootty, Ratheesh and Seema in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam.
Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol is a 1984 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Bhadran and produced by N. G. John. The film stars Madhu, Mammootty, Lakshmi and Ratheesh in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam.
Iniyengilum is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language social problem film directed by I. V. Sasi, written by T. Damodaran and produced by N. G. John. It stars Mohanlal, Ratheesh, Lalu Alex, Ranipadmini, Seema, and Mammootty. The film features music composed by Shyam. The film juxtaposes the economic and cultural conditions of Kerala and Japan.
Nayakan is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Balu Kiriyath. The film stars Mohanlal, Viji, Sankaradi and Captain Raju. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer.
