Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal recently shared that ever since he was honored with the rank of Colonel in the Territorial Army, there has been a notable 40% increase in enlistments from Kerala. He reflected that over the years, soldiers have told him they were inspired by him or by his roles in army-oriented films when deciding to join.
He also talked about receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and reflected on how Malayalam film production has evolved. In earlier times, budget constraints meant filmmakers could not afford modern equipment. For example, after shooting, they had to wait months for processed reels to return before seeing the results—only during dubbing could they review footage. Today, instant monitoring allows filmmakers to view and adjust scenes immediately.
Mohanlal further spoke about his long collaboration with director Priyadarshan. He noted that over 90% of their films together have succeeded and expressed pride that Priyadarshan has remade some of their films in other languages. He teased that Priyadarshan’s 100th film might again feature him, describing it as historic.
On a personal note, Mohanlal shared his fondness for Kerala cuisine, yet admitted to being intrigued by Japanese food—so much so that he sometimes tries cooking it. When asked about his favorite Bollywood actor, he said that while many talents shine in their own ways, he would choose Amitabh Bachchan for his enduring versatility and ability to stay relevant through changing eras.
