Lesser-known facts about Mohanlal: From holding a black belt in Taekwondo to becoming the highest-paid actor in Mollywood

Today, as Mohanlal celebrates his 65th birthday, it’s worth reflecting on some lesser-known milestones from his remarkable career. Although he made his acting debut at just 18 in the Malayalam film Thiranottam (1978), the film’s release was delayed for 25 years due to censorship issues. His official screen debut came in 1980 with Manjil Virinja Pookkal, where he portrayed the antagonist. To honour the great star of Mollywood on his special day, we’ve compiled five intriguing facts about Mohanlal that highlight his extraordinary journey beyond the spotlight.

Pic: Twitter

Malayalam actor Mohanlal holds a black belt in Taekwondo. In a lesser-known achievement, the Thudarum star was awarded an honorary black belt by the prestigious World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon) in Seoul, South Korea, back in 2012. With this recognition, Mohanlal not only showcased his prowess beyond the screen but also earned the distinction of being the first actor from South India to receive such an honour. He is reportedly the third Indian to be conferred this title, following Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and former Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

Pic: Twitter

Bollywood’s 1997 release, Guru, headlined by Mohanlal and helmed by director Rajiv Anchal, marked a historic milestone for Indian cinema. It became the first-ever Malayalam movie to be chosen as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The film stood out not just for its powerful narrative and performances but also for its groundbreaking technical achievement—its entire background score, crafted by music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, was recorded internationally, a first in Indian film history at the time. Alongside Mohanlal, the film featured a strong ensemble cast including Suresh Gopi, Madhupal, Sithara, Kaveri, Sreelakshmi, Nedumudi Venu, and Sreenivasan, with a special appearance by Nassar.

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Long before captivating audiences with his acting prowess, Mohanlal was making waves in an entirely different arena—the wrestling mat. Few know that the iconic actor was once a state-level wrestling champion, clinching the title during 1977–78. After completing his graduation, Mohanlal pursued wrestling seriously and caught the attention of the Wrestling Federation, earning a spot to represent Kerala at the national level in New Delhi. However, around the same time, he received an offer to audition for a film, and he chose cinema over the championship.

Pic: Instagram

According to recent reports from nationalfilmawards.in, Mohanlal is currently the highest-paid actor in the Malayalam film industry. The veteran actor, who also owns his own production house, reportedly charges between Rs 10 crore and Rs 25 crore per film. Following him, Mammootty ranks as the second highest-paid actor in Mollywood. This year, Mohanlal has delivered two major box-office successes—L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Thudarum, helmed by Tharun Moorthy. With these two films, he has secured both industry hits and commercial success in 2025.

Pic: Instagram

As per a report by Khaleej Times, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is said to be the owner of a plush residence in Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa. The actor is believed to have invested in a one-bedroom apartment located on the 29th floor, offering a stunning view of the Dubai Fountain and the city's breathtaking skyline. The property, valued at approximately Rs 3.5 crore, is reportedly registered under the name of his wife, Suchitra. While the timing of the purchase raised speculation about it being a birthday gift around his 51st birthday on May 21, a close source clarified that the acquisition had no direct connection to the occasion.

Pic: Twitter