Mumbai, May 1
Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, who attended the maiden edition of the WAVES, refuses to draw a categorical boundary between art and mainstream films in Malayalam cinema, as he thinks that the two are closely married in Malayalam cinema.
The veteran actor attended the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit in the BKC area of Mumbai on Thursday where he spoke during a panel discussion with Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, veteran Hindi cinema actress Hema Malini, and Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi.
When Akshay asked the Malayalam megastar if the meaningful and mainstream can ever be united, the latter said that has always been the case with Malayalam cinema.
He said, “We are blessed with great actors, directors. From the very beginning, Malayalam cinema doesn't have that kind of demarcation, it's a thin line. It has an art house element and commercial or entertainment structure. It's closely knitted, it's very well balanced. I had the chance to work with great directors. That time, they called us art films. But even the art films back then had entertainment value. And even the entertainment, so-called entertainers, have art in it. So, in Malayalam cinema, content-wise, we are very richâ€.
Mohanlal’s career spans close to 5 decades in cinema, and has also worked across Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema.
“I cannot differentiate. We call movies or cinema. So, there were art films and commercial films in Malayalam long back. Now, content-wise, the new directors, it's full of art. It's a piece of art. I cannot call a film a bad film. It's a beautiful piece of art. So, you cannot compare, especially in Malayalam, art. It's a thin line. So, it's still a debate. I cannot give you the proper answerâ€.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Mohanlal sir has perfectly captured what makes Malayalam cinema special! Unlike other industries where commercial films are just masala entertainers, our films always have depth. Even mass movies like Pulimurugan have artistic elements. Proud to be a Malayali cinephile! â¤ï¸
As someone from North India who discovered Malayalam cinema during lockdown, I completely agree! Films like Kumbalangi Nights and Drishyam have changed my perception of Indian cinema. The storytelling is so organic - neither pretentious art nor mindless entertainment. More Bollywood directors should learn from Mollywood.
While I respect Mohanlal's views, I feel Malayalam cinema is becoming too artsy these days. Where are the wholesome family entertainers like Chithram or Kilukkam? New gen films are great but sometimes too slow for common audiences. Balance is important!
Mohanlal's filmography itself proves his point! From Vanaprastham to Lucifer, he's done everything. Malayalam industry is blessed to have such versatile actors who can pull off both art house and commercial cinema with equal ease. Wishing him more years of great cinema! ✨
This is why I prefer Malayalam films over other Indian cinema. They treat audiences as intelligent people. Even when they make commercial films, there's always some social message or unique presentation. Hope they maintain this balance despite OTT pressures.
As a film student, I've studied how Malayalam cinema evolved differently from other regional industries. The 80s parallel cinema movement blended so well with mainstream that today's films naturally carry both DNA. Mohanlal's generation laid this foundation - true visionaries!
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