5 min readKochiUpdated: Mar 23, 2026 08:53 PM IST While Mohanlal is arguably one of the biggest superstars and finest actors Malayalam cinema has ever seen, there are quite a few people who contributed significantly to his rise. From Fazil, who gave him his first acting role, to the Sibi Malayil-AK Lohithadas duo that earned him his first two National Film Awards, and his frequent collaborators Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikad, and Sreenivasan, the list is long. And we haven’t even begun talking about his many extraordinary co-stars who helped him push his boundaries. After commencing his career playing villain roles, Mohanlal transitioned to supporting characters and then to guy-next-door roles, which eventually helped him earn a special place in Malayalees’ hearts. While he has worked with several legendary screenwriters, Sreenivasan was one of the most indispensable figures in his professional journey, as the latter’s movies played a significant part in catapulting him to great heights. From Aram + Aram Kinnaram, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Hello My Dear Wrong Number, Doore Doore Oru Koodu …