Mohanlal: Lesser-Known Facts About the Legendary Actor
Mohanlal, often referred to as “The Complete Actor,” has a career spanning over four decades with numerous accolades and achievements. Here are some lesser-known facts about this iconic figure in Indian cinema:

Prolific Early Career: Between 1982 and 1988, Mohanlal had films releasing every 15 days. In 1986 alone, he had about 35 releases, showcasing his incredible work ethic and popularity.

Wrestling Champion: Before his acting career took off, Mohanlal was a wrestling champion in Kerala during 1977-78. He was even selected for the National Championship but missed it due to an audition for his debut film.

Black Belt in Taekwondo: In 2012, Mohanlal was conferred with an honorary black belt in Taekwondo by the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. He is the first South Indian actor to receive this honor.

Playback Singer: Mohanlal has lent his voice to 31 songs in various films he has acted in, showcasing his versatility beyond acting.

Philanthropy: Mohanlal is actively involved in charitable activities through his ViswaSanthi Foundation, which focuses on healthcare and education for the underprivileged.

Doctor of Letters: He has received honorary Doctor of Letters degrees from the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit and the University of Calicut, recognizing his contributions to cinema and society.

First Malayalam Film at the Oscars: His film “Guru” (1997) was the first Malayalam film selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars under the Best Foreign Film category.

Multilingual Actor: While primarily known for his work in Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal has also acted in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films, making him a pan-Indian actor.

Album Release: Mohanlal is a trained classical singer and has released an album called “Lalitha Ganangal,” further showcasing his diverse talents3.