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Lal (actor)

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Lal
Lal in 2015
Born
M. P. Michael

(1958-12-02) 2 December 1958 (age 65)
Kochi, Kerala, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
  • distributor
Years active1984–present
Spouse
Nancy Lal
​
(m. 1987)​
Children2 (including Lal Jr.)

M. P. Michael (born 2 December 1958), better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, producer and distributor who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films and in a few Telugu films. Lal has won several awards, including a National Film Award – Special Mention for acting (2012), two Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor (2008, 2013), and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam (2008). He is the owner of Lal Media Arts, a post-production studio.

Early life

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Lal was born as Michael to the late M. A. Paul and late Philomina, as their eldest son. He received his schooling at St. Augustine's High School, Ernakulam. His brother Alex Paul is a music composer in the Malayalam film industry and his son Jean is a movie director in the same industry. Lal's younger sister Neena's son Balu Varghese is an actor in the Malayalam film industry.

Career

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He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, along with his childhood friend Siddique, who would later team up as Siddique-Lal to make many films.[1] Lal and Siddique began their film career working as assistant directors to Fazil in Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu.[2][3]

Siddique-Lal production had never been dependent on star value or superstar formula that was witnessed in those days in Malayalam cinema. They had always opted out from casting Mohanlal or Mammootty. Ultimately, both of them had changed their thoughts later and when their fourth production film was to get launched, Siddique-Lal had opted for Mohanlal and made Vietnam Colony (1992) which did wonders in the box office too. The duo again had combined in their fifth production and made Kabooliwala (1994), which was also a success.

After that, both decided to part ways as a director pair and Lal turned producer with the Siddique-directed Mammootty-starrer Hitler.[3] Lal debuted in acting with a villain role as Paniyan in Suresh Gopi-starrer Kaliyattam, directed by Jayaraj. Kaliyattam was a new take on Othello, where Lal played Paniyan, the character standing for Iago. He runs a film post-production company named as Lal Media Arts, Kochi. The year 2009 saw his comeback again as a director. He directed the sequel to In Harihar Nagar named 2 Harihar Nagar, which got released and was declared a hit. For his performance in the 2012 film Ozhimuri, he won the National Film Award – Special Mention.[4] He was won of Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in Thalappavu (2008), Ayaal (2013) and Zachariayude Garbhinikal (2013). He later directed films like King Liar (2016), Honey Bee 2.5 (2017) and Tsunami (2021).[5][6][7]

Lal, who also plays an important role in Sulthan (2021) and also heaped praise on Mari Selvaraj for Karnan (2021).[8] Despite being given the most uni-dimensional character in the story Taanakkaran (2022), the actor effortlessly carries the role and leaves arguably more impact than in his previous outing.[9] He roped in to play the role of a warrior in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).[10]

He starred in the Malayalam web series Kerala Crime Files (2023) as Inspector which was released on Disney + Hotstar.[11]

Personal life

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Lal is married to Nancy and they have two children— a son Jean Paul Lal and a daughter Monica Lal. Jean Paul is a film director.

Awards

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List of Lal awards
Award Year Category Film Result
National Film Awards 2012 Special Mention for Acting Ozhimuri Won
Kerala State Film Awards 1991 Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value Godfather
2008 Best Actor Thalappavu
2013 Best Actor Ayaal; Zachariayude Garbhinikal
Filmfare Awards South 2008 Best Actor (Malayalam) Thalappavu
Asianet Film Awards 2010 Best Director In Ghost House Inn
Vanitha Film Awards 2012 Best Star Pair (shared with Shwetha Menon Salt N' Pepper

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

As an actor

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Malayalam

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List of Lal Malayalam film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Manathe Kottaram Guest at the wedding Cameo
1997 Kaliyattam Paniyan / Iago
1998 Kanmadam Johnny
Punjabi House Sikkandar Singh
Daya Kombanali
Ormacheppu Jeevan
1999 Friends Man at the park Cameo
Chandranudikkunna Dikhil Parthan
Jananaayakan Misra
2000 Mazha Chandran
Arayannangalude Veedu Sukumaran
Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu Gowrishankar
Thenkasipattanam Dasappan
2001 Ee Nadu Ennalevare Plappalli Sreedharan
Randam Bhavam Mohammad Ibrahim
Unnathangalil Shiva
One Man Show Hari Narayanan
2002 Ente Hridayathinte Udama Pavitran
Kannaki Manikyan
Krishna Gopalakrishna Swamiji
Kalyanaraman Thekkedathu Achuthankutty
2003 Uthara Ambi
Sinkari Bolona Deva Sharma
Anyar Raghavan
Pulival Kalyanam Karunan
2004 Chathikkatha Chanthu Film Director Harikrishnan
Ee Snehatheerathu Chinnappa Gounder
Black Devin Carlos Padaveedan
2005 Thommanum Makkalum Sathyan
Banglavil Outha Outha
Chanthupottu Divakaran
2006 The Don Kasim Baba
Pothan Vava As Himself Cameo
Oruvan Bharathan
2007 Panthaya Kozhi Raghavan
Time Dr. Srinivasa Iyengar
Rock N Roll Issac
2008 Pachamarathanalil Mohammed Ali
Thalappavu S. Raveendran Pillai
Aayudham Swami Antony Williams
Twenty:20 Radhakrishnan
2009 Thirunakkara Perumal
2010 Aagathan Major George Joseph
April Fool Dr. Mohana Chandran
Penpattanam Inspector Antony
Anwar Babu Sait
Shikkar Cameo in a song
Best Actor Vandippetta Shaji
Kandahar
2011 Payyans James Varghese
Salt N' Pepper Kalathipparampil Kalidasan
Bombay March 12
Doctor Love Cameo
Vellaripravinte Changathi As Himself
2012 Father's Day Seethalakshmi's suitor
Unnam Sibi
Cobra Kari (Karimoorkhan)
Ozhimuri Thanupillai & Sivanpillai
Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu Ottappalam Unni
Little Master
Husbands in Goa Sunny
Chettayees Jacob
2013 Isaac Newton S/O Philipose Isaac Newton
Maad Dad Palachottil Geevargees Kuriyakose Easo [12]
Shutter Rasheed
10:30 am Local Call Govindan, Nimmy's father
Kaattum Mazhayum Hajiyar
Abhiyum Njaanum Nandan Menon
Ayaal Gurudasan
Honey Bee HC Michael
Buddy Michael Dominic Savio
Sringaravelan Yesudas
Zachariayude Garbhinikal Zacharia
Idukki Gold Behnnan
Vishudhan Mathew Pokkiriyachan
Kadhaveedu Major Frederick Mukundan
2014 Happy Journey Gopikrishnan
God's Own Country Mohammad
Hi I'm Tony Tony Kurishingal
Iyobinte Pustakam Iyob
Nagaravaridhi Naduvil Njan
2016 Swargathekkal Sundaram
32aam adhyayam 23aam vaakyam Ravi Uncle/R.K. Varma
King Liar Anand Varma
Dum Xavier
Pulimurugan Balaraman
Kappiri Thuruthu Kadalakka Ustad
2017 Fukri Ramzan Ali Fukri
Honey Bee 2 : Celebrations Michael
Oru Cinemakkaaran Thomas
Zacharia Pothen Jeevichirippundu Saji
Chunkzz Varkichan
Honey Bee 2.5 As Himself
Oru Visheshapetta Biriyanikissa Abu Musaliyar Mowlavi
Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela K C Chacko
2018 Iblis Shreedharan
Vallikudilile Vellakaaran Joseph
2019 Pengalila Azhagan
Thelivu Khalid
Helen Paul
Thakkol Metropolitan Archbishop
2020 Al Mallu Father Paul
Silencer Eenasu
Anveshanam Dr.Faris
Bhoomiyile Manohara Swakaryam
2021 Nizhal Vishwanathan
Kala Raveendran
Bheeshma Parvam Karim Bava
Jan.E.Man Kochu Kunj
2022 Panthrandu Peelu
Mahaveeryar Rudhra Mahaveera Ugrasena Maharaja
Pathonpatham Noottandu Mathews Mar Athanasius / Marthoma XIII
Vichithram Alexander
2023 Dear Vaappi Tailor Basheer [13]
2018 Mathachan [14]
2024 Nadikar David's co-actor Cameo[15]

Tamil

[edit]
List of Lal Tamil film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Engal Anna Sundaralingam / Veerapandi
2005 Sandakozhi Kasi
2007 Marudhamalai Maasi
Oram Po Bigil
Aalwar Punniyamoorthy
Madurai Veeran Mayandi
Deepavali Chidambaram
Rameswaram Vasanthi's father
2008 Kaalai Jeevanandham IPS
2009 Thoranai Chennai Police Commissioner
Anthony Yaar? Michael
Azhagar Malai Rathnavelu
2010 Porkkalam Aslam Bhai
2013 Kutti Puli Arjunan
2015 Chandi Veeran Thamarai's father
2018 Antony George
Seema Raja Karikkada / Kaathadi Kannan
Sandakozhi 2 Kasi Special appearance
2020 God Father Marudhu Singam
2021 Sulthan Mansoor
Karnan Yeama Raja
2022 Taanakkaran Eshwaramurthy
The Warriorr Kumarappa
Ponniyin Selvan: I Tirukoilur Malaiyaman
2023 Ponniyin Selvan: II
Maamannan CM Sindhanai Rajan
Tamil Kudimagan Sudalaiyandi
2024 Singapore Saloon Chacha [16]
Star Pandian [17]
Aalan TBA

Telugu

[edit]
List of Lal Telugu film credits
Year Title Role
2006 Khatarnak Smuggler
Annavaram Puranapool Ganga
2009 Pistha Vizag Police Commissioner
2019 Saaho Ibrahim
2022 The Warriorr Kumarappa
2023 Veera Simha Reddy Sidhappa

Other Languages

[edit]
List of Lal film credits in other languages
Year Title Role Language
2007 Before the Rains Rajat English
2009 Yuvah Dhoni Kannada
2019 Saaho Ibrahim Hindi

Web Series

[edit]
List of Lal web series credits
Year Title Role Language Platform
2023 Kerala Crime Files Kurian Malayalam Disney+ Hotstar[18]

Director, writer

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List of Lal film credits as director or writer
Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1986 Pappan Priyappetta Pappan Yes
1987 Nadodikkattu Story
1989 Ramji Rao Speaking Co-director Yes Directorial debut as Siddique–Lal
1990 In Harihar Nagar Co-director Yes
1991 Godfather Co-director Yes
1992 Makkal Mahatmyam Story
1992 Vietnam Colony Co-director Yes
1993 Kabooliwala Co-director Yes
1993 Manichithrathazhu 2nd unit
1995 Mannar Mathai Speaking Yes Sequel to Ramji Rao Speaking
2009 2 Harihar Nagar Yes Yes Debut as independent director
2010 In Ghost House Inn Yes Yes Sequel to 2 Harihar Nagar
2010 Tournament – Play & Replay Yes Yes
2012 Cobra Yes Yes
2016 King Liar Yes Co-writer
2017 Honey Bee 2.5 Yes
2021 Tsunami Co-director Yes

Producer, distributor

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List of Lal film credits as producer or distributor
Year Title Credited as
1996 Hitler Producer
1997 Superman Producer
1999 Friends Producer
2000 Thenkasipattanam Producer
Distributor
2001 One Man Show Distributor
2002 Kalyanaraman Producer
Distributor
2003 Swapnakkoodu Distributor
2004 Chathikkatha Chanthu Producer
Distributor
2004 Black Producer
Distributor
2005 Thommanum Makkalum Producer
Distributor
2005 Bunglavil Outha Distributor
2005 Bharathchandran I.P.S. Distributor
2005 Chanthupottu Producer
Distributor
2006 Chinthamani Kolacase Distributor
2006 Classmates Distributor
2006 Pothan Vava Producer
Distributor
2007 Panthaya Kozhi Producer
Distributor
2007 Nivedyam Distributor
2007 Kangaroo Distributor
2008 Cycle Distributor
2008 Thalappavu Distributor
2009 2 Harihar Nagar Producer
Distributor
2010 In Ghost House Inn Producer
Distributor
2010 Elsamma Enna Aankutty Distributor
2010 Tournament – Play & Replay Producer
2011 Salt N' Pepper Distributor
2011 Violin Distributor
2017 Honey Bee 2: Celebrations Producer

Other crew credits

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References

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  1. ^ "Cochin Kalabhavan". www.cochinkalabhavan.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Kunchacko's Udaya Studio being razed". Malayala Manorama. 4 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Mathrubhumi English – Acting is easy, direction most satisfying: Filmmaker Lal". Archived from the original on 28 June 2013.
  4. ^ "A Great year for Malayalam cinema, say National award winners". mathrubhumi.com. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Review: King Liar tests your patience".
  6. ^ "Review: HONEY BEE 2.5 MOVIE REVIEW". The Times of India.
  7. ^ "Review: Tsunami Movie Review : A joke that gets serious". The Times of India.
  8. ^ "Lal: I was depressed on the first-day shoot of 'Ponniyin Selvan'!". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Taanakkaran Movie Review: A powerful film about a lesser-known problem". Cinema Express. 8 April 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Mollywood actor Lal in Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan'". The Times of India. 4 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Kerala Crime Files Review: This well-written and engaging Malayalam thriller is a compelling watch". 23 June 2023.
  12. ^ Sudhish, Navamy (31 July 2012). "Director Revathy S Varma, on 'Mad Dad'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Lal, Anagha Narayanan headline Dear Vaappi". Cinema Express. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Jude Anthony Joseph Unveils Title of his Upcoming Film Based on 2018 Kerala Floods". News18. 5 November 2022. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Tovino's Nadikar Thilakam shoot completed". Cinema Express. 6 January 2024. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  16. ^ Features, C. E. (5 January 2024). "RJ Balaji's Singapore Saloon gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  17. ^ Features, C. E. (9 June 2024). "Video of 'Oru Naalil' song from Kavin's Star out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Aju Varghese and Lal look intense in Kerala Crime Files first look poster". The Indian Express. 21 April 2023. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
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