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my idea of Magical Acting Moments

When someone came up with  a list of  '50+ things only a Proud Mallu will understand', the first on list was a photo of Mohanlal with the caption - 'This man is part of your daily life. Literally!’ That says it all. Even after a series of uninspiring movies, how his brilliance on screen continues to leave so many in admiration. 

So this particular post will cater to a smaller group. To be specific – malayalis and those who follow Malayalam cinema. To be a little more specific – malayalis who likes the actor in Mohanlal. I thought when I say he is my personal favourite, I should be able to pick some screen moments that made me a lalettan fan! 

Here's a look back at some of the magical acting moments - my most favorite ones - from a career that has entertained , enlightened and amazed us for last 30+ years.

10. SUMMER IN BETHLEHEM - The Stunning Cameo As Niranjan 
'Naalu vayassukaariyaya ayalude makalude attu poya kunjikkai ente dehathaanu vannu veenathu. Aaa kaiviralukal appozhum chalikunundaayirunu.Entho thirayunna pole. Enthu nedi.Ethu lakshyathil ethi... '.......  With only 8.5 minutes on screen, Mohanlal almost threatened to steal the whole show and walk away with the entire movie .The only reason that it did not completely turn out that way is probably because Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and especially Manju Warrier were all aware of what this man coming at the end is capable of doing in a few minutes. Hence they put their best feet forward.

9. DEVASURAM - When Neelakandan makes Bhanumathi dance in his house 
Though he has done many negative characters in early part of his career, the one which still gives me chills is his devilish portrayal of Mangalassery Neelakandan in the first half of Devasuram. Especially in the scene where he makes Revathi dance in front of him and his friends, it requires guts to say lines like 'Vayya ennu nee parayilla .. paranjaal nritham matramaavilla njan ninne kondu cheyyikkukka' considering that he was at the peak of his career then with immense fan following.

8. CHITHRAM- 'Enne Kollathirikkan Pattumo'
After all those entertaining acts and songs, at the end when his past is revealed and he goes to Soman and asks him-'Jeevikkan ippol oru moham thonnunnu... athu kondu chodikkuva .. enne kollaathirikkan pattumo' , our hearts went out to him. One thing I have never understood all these years is how Soman's character could be so cold hearted when someone expressed his desire to live in that manner. I am sure every malayali feels that every time they watch this one.

7. NADODIKKATTU - When Dasan returns to Radha's house asking for more items
Nadodikkattu is 158 minutes of non-stop fun and personally my favourite comedy in Malayalam. Amidst such popular one-liners like 'Dasa etha ee alavalathi' , 'angane pavanazhi shavamaayi', 'entha dasa namuku ee budhi thonnathirunne', there was also this one scene sans any main dialogues which is still hugely memorable purely because of this actor's remarkable skills at handling comedy. A lot of actors depend on slapstick situations or a well written line to evoke laughs but all Mohanlal needs is the expressions on his face to makes us laugh anytime we re-visit the scene.

6. NAMUKKU PARKKAN MUNTHIRI THOPPUKAL - The Proposal Scene 
'Solomonte song of songsil parayunna pole namukku gramangalil chennu rapaarkam , athikalathu munthirithoppukalil poyi munthirivalli thalirthu poovidukayum mathalanarakam pookukkayum cheytho ennu nokkaam...' Solomon tells Sofia this and asks her to go and check Bible for the rest of the lines. A proposal scene in Malayalam Cinema has never been so beautiful before or after .It had Padmarajan's expertise that added a poetic touch to his scenes and Johnson's heavenly background score. Above all, it had Mohanlal. The actor had always looked so original when he romanced on-screen and the only reason we did not give him the 'King of Romance' tag was because he handled any other genre equally well as romance.




I think this is lengthy enough for a read. Hence 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 will be revealed soon! :)

CINEMA – they go directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls. (Of course I am considering those cinemas which have the right combination of story, script, direction, cast etc.) 



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Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 25, 2014 at 2:33 AM

    Nadodikkatu was an insane movie for its time. Gafoor Ka Dosth still being a pop culture reference in Kerala speaks volumes about the success of this movie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Desert RoseAugust 25, 2014 at 8:57 PM

    Evergreen it is! Each time you go back and watch it, every scene brings that genuine laughter all over again :)

    ReplyDelete

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