'Bharatham' to 'Aaraam Thampuran': Mohanlal's Top 5 films to watch after his Dadasaheb Phalke Award win

Veteran actor Mohanlal, one of the most celebrated names in the Indian film industry, has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, it was announced on Saturday. With a career spanning over four decades and more than 325 films ranging from intense dramas to light-hearted comedies, the Malayalam superstar has left his mark on the audience. As the industry and fans celebrate this huge achievement, here’s a look at some of Mohanlal’s most iconic films that capture the essence of his cinematic brilliance.

'Bharatham' is a musical drama film that was written by A. K. Lohithadas, directed by Sibi Malayil, and produced by Mohanlal. The film's music, which is primarily Carnatic classical and semi-classical, is particularly well-known. The movie was well received by critics and audiences alike. Mohanlal's flawless performance earned him the National Award. His role in the movie was featured on Forbes' list of the 25 Greatest Acting Performances in Indian Cinema. The film was remade in Tamil as 'Seenu' by P. Vasu, and its songs became instant hits.

Written and directed by Blessy, the 2009 road-movie thriller 'Bhramaram' starred Mohanlal, Suresh Menon, Murali Gopy, and Bhumika Chawla. At the box office, the movie was a success. Many people enjoyed the movie because of Mohanlal's performance. It went on to help the actor win critical acclaim from both critics and fans.

Padmarajan’s 'Season', starring Mohanlal and Gavin Packard, is now regarded as a cult classic. Though it was a commercial failure upon release, the film gained immense appreciation over the years for its bold narrative and layered storytelling. The story takes place in the stunning locations of Poojappura Central Prison in Trivandrum and Kovalam Beach in Kerala. The film is regarded as one of the greatest revenge thrillers in Mollywood and is now regarded as having been far ahead of its time.

Released in 1991, 'Kilukkam' is a hit musical comedy directed by Priyadarshan and written by Venu Nagavalli. Loosely inspired by the Audrey Hepburn classic 'Roman Holiday', the film is regarded as one of Priyadarshan’s finest works. "It's regarded as one of Priyadarshan's greatest works ever. Mohanlal’s portrayal of Joji was highly acclaimed, while Revathy’s transformation from a seemingly mentally ill woman to a daughter searching for her father was portrayed with brilliance. The film is said to have become the first Malayalam film to reach the Rs 5 crore mark. The movie earned Mohanlal the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

Manju Warrier, Narendra Prasad, and Mohanlal play the main roles in Ranjith's 'Aaraam, Thampuran', which was directed by Shaji Kailas. The 1997 release was a massive box office success and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year, with a theatrical run of over 250 days. Songs on the soundtrack remained on the charts for months, demonstrating the soundtrack's popularity. Because of the movie's success, Mohanlal became the Malayalam film industry's biggest star, and Shaji Kailas was redefined as a director. It's one of the biggest films ever made in Malayalam cinema.