'From praise to mockery, I've seen it all'; Actor Mohanlal opens up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands crowded up in the central stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, braving rain to see the local boy turned legendary actor being felicitated by the Kerala government. Emotion ran through every word of Mohanlal as he listed out the moments that shaped him as an actor.

Mohanlal:

“I had experienced both extremes. From being praised valiantly to the height of mockery. I see victories and defeats with equanimity. My work is my God. 48 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Looking back, I am still amazed. Without knowing anything about cinema, a few friends of mine dared to shoot a film on the streets of the capital city. I am still scared when I remember those moments. We took a train to Madras to work on it. We wandered around the studios. Without wanting to, my friends took my photograph and sent it to my beloved Fazil. Thus, I became Narendra in Manjil Virinja Pookal.

You may feel I’m acting effortlessly. In reality, it is far from the truth. It is a blessing from a power I cannot recognise.”