Mohanlal's finest, classiest mass entertainers
For 'Lucifer' fans, the neatly infused callbacks to a few iconic Mohanlal characters from writer Murali Gopy and director Prithviraj Sukumaran were a cause for celebration. Ahead of 'Empuraan', let's take a look at some of Mohanlal's finest 'mass' entertainers.
Irupathaam Noottandu (1987)
Of course this list had to start with this film, given how a line from it was uttered by Mohanlal in Lucifer, suggesting that Stephen Nedumpally had a background very similar to Sagar (alias 'Jacky').
Rajavinte Makan (1986)
The expert directorial skills of director Thampi Kannanthanam and the electric scripting of Dennis Joseph combined to deliver a mass entertainer that didn't need slow motion and heavy background music to elevate the protagonist.
Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar (1987)
In another superb Thampi Kannanthanam-Dennis Joseph thriller, which shares with Lucifer the political thriller aspects, Mohanlal's anti-hero becomes an unwelcome opponent for a terrific Balan K Nair's unsavoury Chief Minister.
Moonnam Mura (1988)
A classy man-on-a-mission thriller with an international flavour in which Mohanlal played an ex-cop Ali Imran, who is contacted by authorities to resolve a high-risk hostage situation.
Douthyam (1989)
Another man-on-a-mission thriller that could make for a good double feature with Moonnaam Mura. In this exciting film peppered with espionage thriller elements, Mohanlal is an army man juggling two perilous situations.
Aryan (1988)
Priyadarshan's crime drama sees one of the most unlikely, but interesting, transformations for a protagonist — from a poor priest falsely accused of a crime to a vengeful criminal navigating the Bombay underworld.
Indrajaalam (1990)
Another Bombay underworld story with Mohanlal. Another reunion with Thampi Kannanthanam and Dennis Joseph. Another revenge-seeking gangster protagonist. Also notable for Rajan P. Dev's fantastic villain threatening to steal the spotlight from Mohanlal.
Season (1989)
It goes without saying most Padmarajan films are essential viewing for serious cineastes/aspiring filmmakers. Season is one of the top-league titles with the feel of an international thriller without trying too hard.