Throwback: When Mohanlal explained why other industries fear making Bharatham or Sadayam

A rare interview of Mohanlal with the late veteran actor Nedumudi Venu, originally aired on Doordarshan in 1992, has resurfaced on social media, rekindling conversations about the golden era of Malayalam cinema.

In the discussion, which was originally aired during Onam, Mohanlal, then riding a wave of critically acclaimed performances in films like Kamaladalam, Sadayam, and Aham, spoke about why Malayalam audiences continue to embrace films of high artistic value.

“Good movies are being made again and again in the Malayalam industry because of the audience. The audience is ready to embrace films. It is the reason why other industries fear making films like His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, or Sadayam. Our audience has the heart to accept good cinema. At the same time, it must be remembered that this was not something that happened suddenly but due to the exposure and influence of good films (down the years),” Mohanlal said.

The Golden Early ’90s

The early 1990s are often remembered as a golden period for Malayalam cinema, with both Mohanlal and Mammootty at the peak of their powers, delivering some of the most memorable films of their careers.

Between 1990 and 1992, Mohanlal’s filmography featured a mix of commercial blockbusters and artistic triumphs. His Highness Abdullah (1990) was not only a box-office success but also the first independent production of Mohanlal’s Pranavam Arts International. That same year, he starred in Thazhvaram as a widower seeking revenge, a performance praised for its intensity.

In 1991, the romantic comedy Kilukkam emerged as one of the greatest Malayalam comedies of all time, earning him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and setting new box-office records. The same year, Bharatham became a landmark film. Mohanlal’s portrayal of a Carnatic musician tormented by his brother’s jealousy won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.

In 1992, he took on the role of a Bharatanatyam dancer in Kamaladalam, cementing his versatility during a period that many critics now hail as one of the richest phases of Malayalam cinema.