Latest news with #ManjilVirinjaPookkal
India.com
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor who got 2 out of 100 rated in audition, was rejected multiple times, now a superstar, did over 400 films, gives hits every year, he is...
Popularly known as the superstar of South, the actor releases two to five films are every year and 3 of them are sure to be included in the list of hits. But there was a time when his charm did not reach the fans and a director gave him a rating of only 2 out of 100. This actor has huge fanbase in South India However, luck changed and the same director gave this superstar his first National Award. What happened was that this actor would not have entered films if a member of the audition panel had given him bad marks, he would probably never have got his first role in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. Who is the superstar we are talking about? Still couldn't guess which actor we are talking about? The actor in question is none other than Mohanlal. In one of the panelists at an audition during the beginning of Mohanlal's career – who was an aspiring filmmaker and was working as the associate director of Manjil Virinja Pookkal, gave Mohanlal only two marks out of 100. Surprisingly, it was through a film directed by the same person that Mohanlal later won his first National Film Award. That panelist was none other than Sibi Malayil, a veteran director who gave Malayalam cinema many memorable films, many of which had Mohanlal in the lead. Mohanlal recalls his first audition Recently, the superstar and director went down memory lane and recalled the first audition when Sibi gave Mohanlal the lowest marks. 'Sibi was part of the panel during my first audition. Later I found out that he gave me the lowest marks, just two out of 100. But later those two marks became a turning point for me. I won two National Awards through his films,' Mohanlal said during an event organised to mark the 40th anniversary of Sibi's first directorial venture Mutharammukunnu PO. When did Mohanlal make his debut? It is worth mentioning that Mohanlal made his debut in 1978 with Thiranottam. He played a comedy role in the film. However, he gained popularity in the role of a villain in the 1980 film Manjil Virinja Pookkal. Talking about films with Sibi Malayil, they have worked together in Mudra, Kirdam, His Highness Abdullah and Doore Doore Oru Kooda Kottam.
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Director, who gave Mohanlal just 2 out of 100 in his first audition, went on to make many memorable films with him; actor won first National Award through his film
Although he has, over the years, come to be known as one of the finest actors in contemporary Indian cinema, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's entry into films almost didn't happen. Had one more member of the audition panel given him poor marks, he might never have landed his debut role in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. In fact, one of the panellists — a filmmaking aspirant who served as the associate director of Manjil Virinja Pookkal — gave Mohanlal a shockingly low score of just two out of 100. Ironically, however, it was through a film directed by this very person that Mohanlal later won his first National Film Award. That panellist was none other than Sibi Malayil, who later became a legendary director and gifted Malayalam cinema several memorable movies, many of them with Mohanlal in the lead. Recently, the superstar and the director took a trip down memory lane, fondly recalling that first audition when Sibi gave Mohanlal the lowest marks. 'During my very first audition, Sibi was part of the panel. Later, I came to know that he was the one who gave me the lowest marks, just two out of 100. But that number two later became a turning point. I went on to win two National Awards through his films,' Mohanlal said during an event organised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sibi's debut directorial Mutharamkunnu PO. Fortunately, the other panellists — Manjil Virinja Pookkal's director Fazil and Jijo Punnoose, son of Navodaya Appachan of Navodaya Studios, which bankrolled the film — gave Mohanlal over 90 marks. As they were the most powerful persons on the panel, their approval helped Mohanlal land the opportunity, and he made his debut playing the antagonist in Manjil Virinja Pookkal, which starred Shankar and Poornima Jayaram in the lead roles. The film went on to become a blockbuster. Mohanlal continued, 'At a time when songs were slowly disappearing from Malayalam cinema, we did His Highness Abdullah. Films like Abdullah, Bharatham and Kamaladalam helped bring Malayalam film music back into prominence. In Kamaladalam, I played a dance teacher. I kept asking Sibi how I was supposed to pull off such a role. I told him I could only do what I was taught… how could I act as a dance master? But Sibi believed I could.' 'I even tried to get out of it by telling him I was already working on Rajashilpi at the time, and that character had a long beard. I told Sibi it would be difficult to constantly change my look. He replied, 'Then just grow a beard. A dance teacher with a beard is fine.' Apparently, that's how it is in his hometown. That's how he embraced the challenge, with full confidence,' the actor added. While Mohanlal's first national recognition came through Sibi's Kireedam (1989), which earned him a National Film Award – Special Mention, he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for Bharatham (1991), also directed by Sibi. 'Before Lal even started acting in films, I was the one who tried to push him out. I gave him two marks, thinking, 'he doesn't belong here'. I was trying to let him go politely. But in Mukesh's words, 'it didn't work.' It gives me immense joy that I could offer meaningful characters to such an extraordinary talent, someone who has stood tall for over 45 years, not just in Malayalam cinema, but across Indian and world cinema,' Sibi added.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Manjil Virinja Pookkal' @ 45: Flashback to a bloom that endures
45 years have passed. The world has changed. Kerala has changed. Seasons have changed. And, of course, Malayalam cinema has changed. Yet, amid all that, an old bloom still retains its unique, intoxicating fragrance — Manjil Virinja Pookkal. Released in 1980 with no stars or fanfare, it was a film of young dreams. It, however, emerged as a milestone. In a way, a new-gen trendsetter of that era. At the helm was a young postgraduate making his debut as a director: Fazil. The film also saw the launch of several fresh faces Mohanlal, Shankar (in lead role), Poornima Jayaram, Sibi Malayil (as assistant director). Even the evergreen music, top on playlists even after nearly five decades, came from a debutant — Jerry Amaldev. The only seasoned name involved was Navodaya Appachan, who produced the film. The rest, as the cliche goes, is history.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I 'Gabbar Singh character inspired me to cast Mohanlal in Manjil Virinja Pookkal,' recalls Fazil
On Christmas Day in 1980, Manjil Virinja Pookkal was released in theatres without big names or any fanfare. But that small film by a debut director named Fazil went on to become a pathbreaking hit. The vision of a young filmmaker changed the course of Malayalam cinema. The film also launched to stardom the likes of Mohanlal, Shankar, Poornima Jayaram and Jerry Amaldev. Now, as Manjil Virinja Pookkal turns 45, TNIE catches up with Fazil to revisit the making of the landmark film. Excerpts: Could you share how the core idea of Manjil Virinja Pookkal came about? I was involved in the script discussions of Thacholi Ambu as part of its creative team. After its success, I asked Navodaya Appachan if we could try making a small-budget film with newcomers. Though hesitant at first, he approved the idea later. But we still didn't have a story for the film. Around that time, [Appachan's son] Jijo Punnoese handed me a book on people's ghost experiences. A piece in that collection caught our attention. It told the story of two strangers who meet on a flight, fall in love, but after reaching their destination, the woman is mysteriously murdered by her ex-lover. Oddly, her friends claim to have seen her alive after the murder, leading to the eerie question of who they saw. That sparked the idea of what if someone from a lover's past returns and disrupts a new relationship. From that thread, Manjil Virinja Pookkal was born. I never imagined it would become such a landmark film. If it had failed, perhaps no one would have even known my name today! Many people consider it a 'new generation' film that broke several conventions. Looking back, how do you see it now? I don't see Manjil Virinja Pookkal as a 'new generation' film. To me, however, it was a lesson. It was only after making that film that I began to approach projects like Noketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu, films that are now considered timeless, with attention to detail. Looking back, I actually wonder if we had gone overboard with the style trends of that era — the haircuts, the bell-bottoms… That said, when filmmakers like Sathyan Anthikad say the film changed the course of Malayalam cinema, I agree. It marked a clear turning point after the Prem Nazir–Madhu–Sukumaran era, paving the way for the rise of Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Revisiting Mohanlal's 2025 blockbusters Empuraan and Thudarum on his birthday
Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal has turned 65 years old today, Wednesday. The actor is synonymous with versatility in cinema. Debuted with Manjil Virinja Pookkal in 1980, the actor has completed almost 45 years in the film industry. He has delivered several memorable characters and cult movies in his entire career spanning over 4 decades. The latest two releases, L2 Empuraan and Thudarum, proved once again why he is termed as the biggest crowd puller in Malayalam cinema. Here's diving into the box office performance of both movies, which took the small regional film industry to new heights. L2 Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal as Stephen Nedumpally aka Abram Khureshi, has emerged as the biggest box office hit at the worldwide box office. The movie opened with a record start of Rs 67 crore globally and went on to smash over Rs 265 crore gross by the end of its theatrical run. It smashed all the previous records and emerged as the first ever Mollywood movie to register a distribution share of Rs 100 crore from overseas. This is an unimaginable feat for a Mollywood movie. Moreover, it became the first ever Malayalam movie to collect from USD 9 million to USD 16 million at the international box office. If you think this is it, then keep scrolling further! Soon after L2 Empuraan wrapped its box office journey, Lalettan struck back with Thudarum. The family entertainer, twisted with thrill and crime, impressed the audience and won all the love. The movie kickstarted its box office journey on a solid note and emerged as the first ever Malayalam movie to score over Rs 100 crore in Kerala alone. The worldwide gross collection of Thudarum is currently standing at Rs 222 crore. It is still running in cinemas and is expected to collect over Rs 250 crore by the end of its theatrical run at the worldwide box office. While the political action drama is the No.1 Malayalam movie at the worldwide box office, the family entertainer holds the top spot in India. Both movies turned out to be massive blockbusters at the box office. L2 Empuraan was a heavy-budget movie, other than being a sequel to a blockbuster movie, Thudarum neither has any massive production cost nor a sequel factor. It worked solely on its content and the superstardom of Mohanlal. L2 Empuraan and Thudarum collectively grossed over Rs 487 crore globally as of now. It is expected to go over the Rs 500 crore mark as Thudarum is still gaining good traction at the ticket window. This is a massive feat, to say the least. The blockbuster success of both movies proved why Mohanlal is called the mini-film industry in himself. The actor holds almost all the major box office records under his name. Interestingly, Mohanlal is the only Indian actor who has given all-time-blockbuster movies in every decade- the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. No other actor was able to achieve this mammoth record. He was the No. 1 Superstar in Malayalam cinema and still holds the top place. For many outside Kerala audiences, Mohanlal is the face of Malayalam cinema. The actor will be next seen in the Pan-India movie Kannappa, which is slated to release on June 27, 2025. It will be his cameo appearance in the film. He is playing the character of Kirata, a warrior inspired by Indian mythology. The next release for Mohanlal is Hridayapoorvam, scheduled to release on August 28, 2025. Directed by Sathyan Anthikad, the family drama also stars Malavika Mohanan and Sangeeth Prathap. Further, the actor will be seen headlining a Pan-India period drama titled Vrusshabha, produced by Ekta Kapoor. Helmed by Nanda Kishore, the movie will hit the screens on October 16, 2025. It features an ensemble star cast and marks the theatrical debut of Sanjay Kapoor's daughter, Shanaya Kapoor. It will be interesting to see how these movies perform at the box office. Let's see if these titles can continue the blockbuster streak of Mohanlal this year. With two back-to-back all-time-blockbuster movies, Mohanlal should eye a hat-trick. Besides these scheduled releases, the actor has numerous projects in his kitty, including Rajinikanth starrer, Jailer 2. For the unversed, Lalettan's Thudarum is still playing in cinemas nearby. If you have not yet watched the movie, you can book your tickets from the online ticket-booking websites or grab them from the counter itself. His cult movie Chhota Mumbai is ready to re-release in cinemas in 4K restored quality. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
