Latest news with #Mohanlal
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Akashvani to broadcast special programme featuring Mohanlal on June 8
Thiruvananthapuram: Actor Mohanlal visited Akashvani Thiruvananthapuram station on Saturday to record a special radio programme. The programme, featuring Mohanlal's cherished radio memories in Malayalam, will be broadcast on June 8. He said that before the advent of television and the internet, Akashvani was the only source of entertainment for his generation. Praising the organisation for maintaining the pride and quality of its programming, he highlighted the credibility and uniqueness of its news broadcasts. Mohanlal also recalled his childhood connection with Akashvani through programmes like Balalokam, Radio Ammavan and Yuva Vani, which made radio a familiar and endearing presence in his early years. He also shared that he used to lend his voice to children's programmes and radio plays at the Thiruvananthapuram station during his school days. As part of the special programme, the actor shared his 10 favourite songs for the 'Ishtaganam' segment. He also recalled his experience as the host of the national sports broadcast, marking yet another facet of his longstanding association with Akashvani.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cultural fusion: Malayali by heart, Pakistani by passport
They speak Malayalam, savour pathiri, and cheer for Mohanlal. They belong to Pakistan yet are tethered to Kerala by memory and longing. Amid the ebb and flow of India-Pakistan relations, the resilient Malayali Muslim community in Pakistan stands as a testament to enduring cultural ties. Descendants of migrants from Kerala, the Malayalis in Karachi have preserved their language, traditions and cuisine for over a century, yet are an integral part of Pakistani society today. Mehmood Ali, a garment factory owner in Karachi's bustling Lea Market, embodies this legacy. Video-calling from his factory, he smiled: 'You called me from my grandfather's homeland. How could I not show you around?' He panned his phone across a well-lit workspace where workers crafted premium garments for export. His grandparents migrated from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram around 1916, along with 10 to 15 other Malayali families. 'They brought their language, food, and customs,' Mehmood said. As their businesses flourished, more families from Kerala joined, expanding the community. Today, about 5,000 to 6,000 Malayalis live in Karachi, with a few in Islamabad and Lahore. In 1921, they founded the Malabar Muslim Jamaat (MMJ), one of Pakistan's oldest functioning Jamaats, anchoring cultural and social life. Speaking to Mehmood, what stands out isn't just the historical anecdotes—it's the unapologetic Malayali identity he carries. Born in Karachi, and having visited India only once (Mumbai, 1988), his Malayalam is impressively fluent. I thought I'd have to switch to English. But Mehmood's command of Malayalam surpassed that of many native speakers. He learned it from his parents and MMJ events. But it's more difficult now. 'After visa rules tightened in the late '80s, no one from Kerala could come here to teach. Today, we rely on YouTube and online lectures.' Still, the spirit endures. His children, fourth-generation Karachi-born, understand enough Malayalam to follow conversations at family gatherings. Balancing identities, the community celebrates Pakistan's Independence Day with cultural programmes and cricket tournaments. 'We are proud Pakistanis,' says Mehmood, now MMJ president. 'But our cultural spine is rooted in Kerala.' Yet, all is not rosy. Once thriving in Karachi's food scene with spicy eateries and tea joints, the community's presence has faded. Pashtun and Urdu-speaking migrants from post-Partition India brought their own cuisines, and Malabari establishments gradually declined. 'There was a time when you couldn't walk through Saddar or Lyari without spotting a Malabari hotel,' says Abdul Latif, whose grandparents came from Vadakara. He now runs a general store in Gizri. 'Today, only a few remain. One is Joona Masjid Hotel in Lyari, serving fish curry and parotta with nostalgic defiance.' Latif, speaking in a North Malabar dialect, last visited Kerala in 2001 at age 16. Now 40, he still hopes to return. 'Recent India-Pakistan tensions had a strange fallout,' he laughs. 'My wife and I were removed from our family WhatsApp group in Kerala!' 'They said it was too sensitive to include us.' He is also passionate about snacks. 'Relatives in the Gulf bring banana chips from Kerala. In return, they want Karachi's tooth powder and bubble gum.' He stays updated too. 'I watched the Eranjoli Bridge inauguration online and asked my cousins about traffic jams in Thalassery.' Among the last cultural outposts is Joona Masjid Hotel, locally known as the Malabari Hotel, run by Abdul Rasheed Malabari. His grandparents migrated from Thalassery via Bombay in 1918. The hotel, now 80 years old, has been run by Rasheed for 15 years. At 60, Rasheed speaks fluent Malayalam. He's visited Kerala four times, last in 1986. 'In childhood, many Malayali families lived here. But many returned to Kerala or moved to the Gulf. Now, few remain.' His hotel, still busy at lunch, serves fish curry, kallummakkaya (muzzles), irachi pathiri, and puttu—dishes prepared with recipes passed down through generations. 'Our food reminds people of home. That's why we're still here.' Rasheed, who married off three daughters and one son within the Malayali community, hopes to visit Kerala again. 'But with tensions between the countries, it seems unlikely. I can only hope.' Despite changes around him, Rasheed clings to Malayalam films and comedy shows. 'I'm not into politics. But Mohanlal and Mammootty—we still adore them.' Malayalam cinema helps preserve the language. 'There's charm in hearing our language, even if we've never seen those places.' What's remarkable isn't just that Malayalis live in Pakistan—but how. In a region divided by politics, this community lives in the grey: rooted in a homeland they've never seen, yet loyal to the one they call home. They don't ask for repatriation or special status—only connection. They want visas, not for business but for sentiments. To walk the streets their grandparents spoke of, offer prayers in old mosques, smell banana or jackfruit chips frying fresh. Senior Pakistani journalist Faiz Paracha captures the essence of their place in the nation's mosaic best: 'The Malayali community is a shining example of how cultural roots and national identity can coexist. Their dedication to language and heritage, while embracing their role as Pakistanis, adds depth to our multicultural identity. In a divided world, they quietly remind us that unity does not demand uniformity.' The Jamaat remains the community's heart—organising language classes, welfare programmes and cultural events. For many, it is the closest they'll get to Kerala. 'Even though we're here, our roots are there,' Mehmood reflects. 'It's not about nationalism. It's about belonging.' He dreams of taking his children to Kerala. 'Not as tourists, but as family. To show them backwaters, temples and mosques. That would be enough.' Let this be the story we tell—not of borders, but of bridges. Not of what separates us, but of what endures, he says. (With reporting assistance from senior Pakistani journalists Faiz Paracha and Khuldune Shahid) Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Mohanlal presents Padmarajan awards
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Recalling the rare privilege of working alongside P Padmarajan, actor Mohanlal said his works have stood the test of time. He was speaking at the 34th Padmarajan Award ceremony, held at Tagore Theatre and jointly organised by Air India Express and the Padmarajan Trust. 'It was mine and Mammootty's good fortune to be part of films made by filmmakers like Padmarajan and I V Sasi. Those films made us who we are today. I consider it a blessing to have acted in five of Padmarajan's films. His works, like Thoovanathumbikal, are still being discussed more today than at the time of their release which is a proof of how timeless they are. When a creator's work endures across decades, it is the greatest fulfilment an artist can receive,' said Mohanlal. The award ceremony coincided with the 80th birth anniversary of Padmarajan. The event also honoured the many technical collaborators who worked with him over the years.
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Sorry, Ajay Devgn': Amid Thudarum OTT release, Mohanlal fans light up social media with heartfelt tributes
Amid Thudarum OTT release, Mohanlal fans have lit up social media with heartfelt tributes. On May 30, the Malayalam thriller started streaming on JioHotstar. One fan called Mohanlal 'Malayalis never-ending love story'. Another wrote, 'We've witnessed his magic countless times, but this one hits different and it's SPECIAL.' One fan wrote, 'More than the massive box office success, true joy of Thudarum lies in the fact that it served as a response to all the POST COVID cinephiles who had questioned his acting abilities.' 'The whole theatre erupted when Mohanlal jumped through the broken window…The Unmatchable flexibility, Perfection & Infinite aura of this 65 aged man,' came from another. There is no official confirmation that Ajay Devgn is making a Bollywood remake of Thudarum. However, Mohanlal fans already seem wary about the possibility. 'Unfortunately for Ajay Devgan he cannot remake "Thudarum" like he remade Drishyam 1 & Drishyam 2 from Mohanlal. Because Thudarum is not just a well scripted movie, it's a celebration and ode to India's best and finest actor - Mohanlal the Goat. Nobody can replace him here. Period!' wrote one fan on Facebook. 'Sorry Ajay Devgn sir, you can't replicate this. Everyone please watch this film before Ajay Devgn ruins it in hindi remake,' wrote one Mohanlal fan. Ajay Devgn has starred in Hindi remakes of Malayalam films originally featuring Mohanlal. The most prominent examples are Drishyam (2015) and Drishyam 2 (2022): The original Malayalam Drishyam (2013), directed by Jeethu Joseph, starred Mohanlal. As Georgekutty, the Malayalam cinema legend plays a man protecting his family after an accidental crime. Devgn played the equivalent role, Vijay Salgaonkar, in the Hindi version It was a critical and commercial success. Drishyam 2 (2021 in Malayalam) continued the story. Devgn's Hindi remake (directed by Abhishek Pathak) grossing approximately Rs. 350 crore worldwide. It was one of 2022's biggest Bollywood hits. Rohit Shetty's 2006 film Golmaal: Fun Unlimited is widely reported to be a remake of the 2001 Malayalam film Kakkakuyil, also starring Mohanlal. While Golmaal is said to be loosely based on a Marathi play "Ghar Ghar", it has strong thematic and plot similarities to the Priyadarshan directorial as well. Earlier reports indicated that Ajay Devgn was set to remake Mohanlal's crime thriller Oppam (2016). In that movie, Mohanlal played a blind lift operator.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Thudarum Movie Review: Mohanlal starrer offers driven crime drama with few roadblocks
Thudarum, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, hit the big screens on April 25, 2025. After more than a month in theaters, the movie has entered the OTT space and is now streaming on JioHotstar in five different languages, including the original Malayalam version. If you're planning to watch this crime drama directed by Tharun Moorthy, here's the Pinkvilla review. The Plot Thudarum tells the story of Shanmugham, a taxi driver affectionately known as Benz. He lives in the quaint town of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, with his wife Lalitha and their two children, Pavi and Pavithra. Once a stunt performer in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, Benz left the film industry after his friend died in a tragic on-set accident. Since then, he has embraced the life of a family man, navigating the usual ups and downs that come with it. Along with all this, Benz also owns a black Ambassador Mark 1, a prized possession he treats like a family member. After leaving the car for repairs and traveling to Chennai for a funeral, Benz returns to find his vehicle seized in a police case involving the alleged smuggling of a psychoactive substance. As he tries to navigate the conflict, Benz crosses paths with several policemen, uncovering a deeper, darker truth that changes his life forever. What happens next and how Benz deals with his situation form the rest of the movie. The Good Thudarum is undoubtedly a refreshing change for fans who felt something was missing from Mohanlal's recent filmography. While L2E satisfied some and left others wanting more, Thudarum arrived like a storm, creating a unique sense of awe. The movie begins as a family drama, with Mohanlal and Shobana showcasing the evergreen chemistry they share. As a fanboy of the superstar, director Tharun Moorthy infused the film with major pop culture nods and a sense of nostalgia, beautifully capturing the charm and nuances between the lead actors. As the simmering beauty of their chemistry as an aging married couple deepens, the first part of the film smoothly transitions from a family-oriented story to a world filled with suspense and doubt. While the first half delivers a consistent impact with its narration, the second half lags slightly, though the film remains a complete and worthwhile watch. On the technical front, the director executed the movie with great care, presenting a visually engaging spectacle. From Mohanlal's iconic slanted shoulder walk and the way he folds his dhothi to a daring jump through a broken window, the film showcases the superstar's stardom while highlighting his acting prowess. Additionally, the film boasts an impressive structure, with KR Sunil's screenplay serving as its backbone. The non-linear narrative unfolds with suspenseful twists, making the movie even more engaging. Jakes Bejoy delivers his signature musical tracks, and cinematographer Shaji Kumar complements the story with striking visuals. The Bad Thudarum, despite being an above-average watch, falls short in some areas. While the performances and narration are strong, the film suffers from predictability, which might not appeal to all viewers. Additionally, with a runtime close to 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie could have benefited from tighter editing. The story's extension, particularly in the second half, loses momentum compared to the more engaging first half. Finally, while Jakes Bejoy delivered well with the tracks and the promo song, the background score could have been more enriching. On a side note, the use of AI visuals in the film felt unnecessary and could have benefited from further refinement. The Performances Thudarum showcases one of Mohanlal's best performances in recent years. Often called the 'Unassailable Thespian,' the superstar shines with his acting prowess, reaffirming the stature he holds today. Whether in emotional scenes or gripping action moments, Mohanlal delivers with impeccable timing and natural talent—proving his enduring brilliance even at the age of 65. With Shobana delivering her signature subtle and mesmerizing performance, Prakash Varma steals the show as the calm, collected, yet menacing antagonist. The ad filmmaker turned actor perfectly balances a gentle demeanor with a formidable presence, creating a villain whose personality is richly layered and enhanced by his skills. Hopefully, Varma will get more diverse roles in the future—not just as antagonists but also exploring innocence and humor. Watch Thudarum trailer The Verdict Thudarum is undoubtedly one of the best recent Malayalam films. If you enjoy crime dramas like Drishyam, this one is definitely worth a watch.
