The spiritual depth of Mohanlal: An actor's life beyond fame, as revealed by Prakash Varma

Actor and ad filmmaker Prakash Varma has praised superstar Mohanlal, describing him as a deeply spiritual and morally grounded individual. In a recent interview to a private channel I am with Dhanya Varma, Prakash shared personal reflections on his close friendship with the iconic actor and spoke about the qualities that set him apart.

“Mohanlal is a person with characteristics that only a few can claim,” said Prakash. However, he clarified that his use of the word spiritual was not about someone constantly immersed in rituals or prayer, but about the moral and emotional strength Mohanlal demonstrates in everyday life.

“There are some people I always look up to or want to spend time with. The greatest fortune in my life is that I have met one or two such people and become close friends,” Prakash said. “Those who live isolated on mountaintops and give advice don’t face the everyday struggles we do. But there are people among us who go through the same problems, yet manage to remain calm and grounded. That’s what fascinates me.”

He went on to say that when he reaches out to such people during emotional lows, they simply listen — without offering advice. “To listen to someone with full awareness is a rare and great human quality,” he noted. “No matter how hard we try, we are often distracted by our burdens. But some people forget their problems just to truly listen to you. You can see it in their eyes. Just listening in that way is itself a spiritual act, not in the conventional sense of prayer, but something deeper. In all this, prayer is within. It is a great power. I have seen that in Lalettan.”

Speaking about the pressures of acting, Prakash pointed out how demanding a film set can be, often stretching into the early hours of the morning. “It’s exhausting and can get uncomfortable, but I have never seen Mohanlal complain. I’ve never heard him speak ill of anyone.”

Prakash also recalled asking the actor whether he ever felt frustrated or irritated. “I’m human too, of course, I feel things,” Mohanlal had replied. “But I try to change that feeling.”

He shared a small but telling gesture, during a flight they took together, Mohanlal carefully folded his blanket and placed it back on the seat before disembarking. “He doesn’t allow anyone to carry his luggage either,” Prakash said. “The foundation of our character is laid in our childhood. There are certain values and ethics to live by. And Mohanlal lives by them every day.”