
Mohanlal likes surprises in everything — be it the characters he
portrays or the initiatives he undertakes. With three back-to-back hits
in 2012, the actor is going as strong as ever. In an exclusive chat with
TOI, the actor talks about the recent controversies involving him, his
take on the so-called new-generation movies and more. Excerpts from the
interview:
We hear you are heading to Hollywood? When they approached me with
the subject, I said, yes. That is just not enough to start a project. I
can confidently say I’m doing a movie only when the director says
‘action and cut’. But I don’t know when it will happen. Right now, it’s
just in the pipeline.
You’re a columnist and writer, ever thought of scripting a movie? I
am a columnist and have published books too; but that doesn’t mean I can
write a script. Scripting is not an easy job and I will not get into
things which I am not sure of.
Does that mean you will never attempt it in future?
I can’t predict the future. I haven’t planned anything so far. I have
done movies in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada, and have even acted in a
Sanskrit play. But none of these were planned. So, if I’m meant to do a
Hollywood project, or script a movie, it will happen.
Many actors have turned to direction. Will we see a movie being directed by Mohanlal?
Sometimes when I hear a good story, I feel like I should direct it. But
then, when I think about the hard work and patience involved in the
whole process, I feel it is better to stay away. Direction is not an
easy task; it has got its own language and grammar. If you want to make a
movie, you will have to be up-to-date about a lot of things. It is
better to be an actor. When you’re an actor, everything is taken care
of. However, an actor can be successful only with a lot of hard work.
We hear you’re not a fan of new generation movies and that you won’t work with young talents.
When I came into the industry 30 years ago, the movies made then were
touted as new generation movies. I consider this just another phase of
cinema and there’s nothing unusual about it. Even many of the so called
new generation movies are not successful. But what we can pray is that,
in every age, let there be good movies. I do work with debutants; be it
directors or actors. Currently, I’m doing debutant Salam’s Red Wine with
Fahadh Faasil and Asif Ali. In Siddique’s Ladies and Gentleman, there
is Krish Sathar. It’s comfortable to work with young artists. They are
all talented. At the same time, I can only take up projects that will
exploit the acting prowess in me.
This year was also a year of controversies
Controversies no longer affect me. There are so many of them; I guess
now the media has lost topics to write about me. For example, the recent
controversy involving Karmayodha poster, where I was seen with a cigar.
If such posters are objectionable, then the concerned authorities
should be informed. Our posters had the Corporation’s seal. Why did the
Corporation give its approval for such posters? And why am I targeted? I
am a performer. Will you file a case against me just because I kill
goons in movies? During the Income Tax raid at my house, the news spread
that I’ve illegal possessions. There were even rumours that I’ve
secured them using biometric lock, which needs my finger print to open
it. It was actually my personal theatre, which I had locked since there
was expensive equipment. But nobody reported the truth.
Again, there was the ivory case against me. It was with me for years
and many magazines had featured it enthusiastically. I have the licence
to keep it. There are many cases against me that are being dropped by
the court. But nobody reports that. Moral policing is high among the
public and the media.
So, even the so called star wars are just media hype?
Of course! Mammootty and I have acted in 53 films together. In every
age, there are comparisons between two actors — MGR-Sivaji,
Naseer-Sathyan, Soman-Sukumaran, Rajini-Kamal; like that, there is
Mammootty-Mohanlal. We will team up more often if directors find
suitable roles for us.
Is there a Priyadarshan movie with Dulquer in the pipeline?
A Priyadarshan movie is in the offing. But Dulquer is not part of it; at least, I’m not aware of it.
Many star kids are making their Mollywood entry. When will we see Pranav on screen?
Pranav has already made his on screen presence as a child artist. But I
won’t stop my children from doing what they want. If he is interested in
acting, he will do it. But right now, I don’t think he is interested.
He had offers from Kollywood; but he seems uninterested. He was the best
actor in his school. Right now, he is studying philosophy in Sydney. I
have never asked him what he is planning to do by studying philosophy.
It was his choice and it’s his choice whether to take up acting or not.
Same goes for my daughter as well. She is also the best actor in school.
But she seems more interested in theatre. If they are interested in
doing movies, I don’t have any right to stop them. But because they are
Mohanlal’s children, it’s not necessary that they will be successful.
One of Mollywood’s all-time favourite was your pairing with
Sreenivasan as CIDs Dasan and Vijayan. Will they come back on screen
again?
Why not? If there is a good script or something that’s better than the
original one, then I don’t have any problem doing it again with anyone.
Your New Year plans and next projects…
This New Year, I will be in Dubai with my family. After spending a few
days with them, I will be back to work. Currently, I am doing Siddique’s
Ladies & Gentleman and Salam’s Red Wine. There are a few more
projects in the pipeline.