# Lal (actor)

M. P. Michael (born 2 December 1958), better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, producer and distributor who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films and in a few Telugu films. Lal has won several awards, including a National Film Award – Special Mention for acting (2012), two Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor (2008, 2013), and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam (2008). He is the owner of Lal Media Arts, a post-production studio.

## Early life

Lal was born as Michael to the late M. A. Paul and late Philomina, as their eldest son. He received his schooling at St. Augustine's High School, Ernakulam. His brother Alex Paul is a music composer in the Malayalam film industry and his son Jean is a movie director in the same industry. Lal's younger sister Neena's son Balu Varghese is an actor in the Malayalam film industry.

## Career

He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, along with his childhood friend Siddique, who would later team up as Siddique-Lal to make many films. Lal and Siddique began their film career working as assistant directors to Fazil in Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu.
Siddique-Lal production had never been dependent on star value or superstar formula that was witnessed in those days in Malayalam cinema. They had always opted out from casting Mohanlal or Mammootty. Ultimately, both of them had changed their thoughts later and when their fourth production film was to get launched, Siddique-Lal had opted for Mohanlal and made Vietnam Colony (1992) which did wonders in the box office too. The duo again had combined in their fifth production and made Kabooliwala (1994), which was also a success.
After that, both decided to part ways as a director pair and Lal turned producer with the Siddique-directed Mammootty-starrer Hitler. Lal debuted in acting with a villain role as Paniyan in Suresh Gopi-starrer Kaliyattam, directed by Jayaraj. Kaliyattam was a new take on Othello, where Lal played Paniyan, the character standing for Iago. He runs a film post-production company named as Lal Media Arts, Kochi. The year 2009 saw his comeback again as a director. He directed the sequel to In Harihar Nagar named 2 Harihar Nagar, which got released and was declared a hit. For his performance in the 2012 film Ozhimuri, he won the National Film Award – Special Mention. He was won of Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in Thalappavu (2008), Ayaal (2013) and Zachariayude Garbhinikal (2013). He later directed films like King Liar (2016), Honey Bee 2.5 (2017) and Tsunami (2021).
Lal, who also plays an important role in Sulthan (2021) and also heaped praise on Mari Selvaraj for Karnan (2021). Despite being given the most uni-dimensional character in the story Taanakkaran (2022), the actor effortlessly carries the role and leaves arguably more impact than in his previous outing. He roped in to play the role of a warrior in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).
He starred in the Malayalam web series Kerala Crime Files (2023) as Inspector which was released on Disney + Hotstar. and joined season 2 of Amazon prime series Suzhal.

## Personal life

Lal is married to Nancy and they have two children— a son Jean Paul Lal and a daughter Monica Lal. Jean Paul is a film director.

## Awards

List of Lal awards :
| Award | Year | Category | Film | Result |
| National Film Awards | 2012 | Special Mention for Acting | Ozhimuri | Won |
| Kerala State Film Awards | 1991 | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Godfather | Won |
| Kerala State Film Awards | 2008 | Best Actor | Thalappavu | Won |
| Kerala State Film Awards | 2013 | Best Actor | Ayaal; Zachariayude Garbhinikal | Won |
| Filmfare Awards South | 2008 | Best Actor (Malayalam) | Thalappavu | Won |
| Asianet Film Awards | 2010 | Best Director | In Ghost House Inn | Won |
| Vanitha Film Awards | 2012 | Best Star Pair (shared with Shwetha Menon | Salt N' Pepper | Won |

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |

### As an actor
#### Malayalam

List of Lal Malayalam film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | Manathe Kottaram | Guest at the wedding | Cameo |
| 1997 | Kaliyattam | Paniyan / Iago | |
| 1998 | Kanmadam | Johnny | |
| 1998 | Punjabi House | Sikkandar Singh | |
| 1998 | Daya | Kombanali | |
| 1998 | Chanchal | Jeevan | |
| 1999 | Friends | Man at the park | Cameo |
| 1999 | Chandranudikkunna Dikhil | Parthan | |
| 1999 | Jananaayakan | Misra | |
| 2000 | Mazha | Chandran | |
| 2000 | Arayannangalude Veedu | Sukumaran | |
| 2000 | Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu | Gowrishankar | |
| 2000 | Thenkasipattanam | Dasappan | |
| 2001 | Ee Nadu Innale Vare | Plappalli Sreedharan | |
| 2001 | Randam Bhavam | Mohammad Ibrahim | |
| 2001 | Unnathangalil | Shiva | |
| 2001 | One Man Show | Hari Narayanan | |
| 2002 | Ente Hridayathinte Udama | Pavitran | |
| 2002 | Kannaki | Manikyan | |
| 2002 | Krishna Gopalakrishna | Swamiji | |
| 2002 | Kalyanaraman | Thekkedathu Achuthankutty | |
| 2003 | Uthara | Ambi | |
| 2003 | Sinkari Bolona | Deva Sharma | |
| 2003 | Anyar | Raghavan | |
| 2003 | Pulival Kalyanam | Karunan | |
| 2004 | Chathikkatha Chanthu | Film Director Harikrishnan | |
| 2004 | Ee Snehatheerathu | Chinnappa Gounder | |
| 2004 | Black | Devin Carlos Padaveedan | |
| 2005 | Thommanum Makkalum | Sathyan | |
| 2005 | Banglavil Outha | Outha | |
| 2005 | Chanthupottu | Divakaran | |
| 2006 | The Don | Kasim Baba | |
| 2006 | Pothan Vava | As Himself | Cameo |
| 2006 | Oruvan | Bharathan | |
| 2007 | Panthaya Kozhi | Raghavan | |
| 2007 | Time | Dr. Srinivasa Iyengar | |
| 2007 | Rock N Roll | Issac | |
| 2008 | Pachamarathanalil | Mohammed Ali | |
| 2008 | Thalappavu | S. Raveendran Pillai | |
| 2008 | Aayudham | Swami Antony Williams | |
| 2008 | Twenty:20 | Radhakrishnan | |
| 2009 | Thirunakkara Perumal | | |
| 2010 | Aagathan | Major George Joseph | |
| 2010 | April Fool | Dr. Mohana Chandran | |
| 2010 | Penpattanam | Inspector Antony | |
| 2010 | Anwar | Babu Sait | |
| 2010 | Shikkar | | Cameo in a song |
| 2010 | Best Actor | Vandippetta Shaji | |
| 2010 | Kandahar | | |
| 2011 | Payyans | James Varghese | |
| 2011 | Salt N' Pepper | Kalathipparampil Kalidasan | |
| 2011 | Bombay March 12 | | |
| 2011 | Doctor Love | | Cameo |
| 2011 | Vellaripravinte Changathi | As Himself | |
| 2012 | Father's Day | Seethalakshmi's suitor | |
| 2012 | Unnam | Sibi | |
| 2012 | Cobra | Kari (Karimoorkhan) | |
| 2012 | Ozhimuri | Thanupillai & Sivanpillai | |
| 2012 | Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu | Ottappalam Unni | |
| 2012 | Little Master | | |
| 2012 | Husbands in Goa | Sunny | |
| 2012 | Chettayees | Jacob | |
| 2013 | Isaac Newton S/O Philipose | Isaac Newton | |
| 2013 | Maad Dad | Palachottil Geevargees Kuriyakose Easo | |
| 2013 | Shutter | Rasheed | |
| 2013 | 10:30 am Local Call | Govindan, Nimmy's father | |
| 2013 | Kaattum Mazhayum | Hajiyar | |
| 2013 | Abhiyum Njaanum | Nandan Menon | |
| 2013 | Ayaal | Gurudasan | |
| 2013 | Honey Bee | HC Michael | |
| 2013 | Buddy | Michael Dominic Savio | |
| 2013 | Sringaravelan | Yesudas | |
| 2013 | Zachariayude Garbhinikal | Zacharia | |
| 2013 | Idukki Gold | Behnnan | |
| 2013 | Vishudhan | Mathew Pokkiriyachan | |
| 2013 | Kadhaveedu | Major Frederick Mukundan | |
| 2014 | Happy Journey | Gopikrishnan | |
| 2014 | God's Own Country | Mohammad | |
| 2014 | Hi I'm Tony | Tony Kurishingal | |
| 2014 | Iyobinte Pustakam | Iyob | |
| 2014 | Nagaravaridhi Naduvil Njan | | |
| 2016 | Swargathekkal Sundaram | | |
| 2016 | 32aam adhyayam 23aam vaakyam | Ravi Uncle/R.K. Varma | |
| 2016 | King Liar | Anand Varma | |
| 2016 | Dum | Xavier | |
| 2016 | Pulimurugan | Balaraman | |
| 2016 | Kappiri Thuruthu | Kadalakka Ustad | |
| 2017 | Fukri | Ramzan Ali Fukri | |
| 2017 | Honey Bee 2 : Celebrations | Michael | |
| 2017 | Oru Cinemakkaaran | Thomas | |
| 2017 | Zacharia Pothen Jeevichirippundu | Saji | |
| 2017 | Chunkzz | Varkichan | |
| 2017 | Honey Bee 2.5 | As Himself | |
| 2017 | Oru Visheshapetta Biriyanikissa | Abu Musaliyar Mowlavi | |
| 2017 | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | K C Chacko | |
| 2018 | Iblis | Shreedharan | |
| 2018 | Vallikudilile Vellakaaran | Joseph | |
| 2019 | Pengalila | Azhagan | |
| 2019 | Thelivu | Khalid | |
| 2019 | Helen | Paul | |
| 2019 | Thakkol | Metropolitan Archbishop | |
| 2020 | Al Mallu | Father Paul | |
| 2020 | Silencer | Eenasu | |
| 2020 | Anveshanam | Dr.Faris | |
| 2020 | Bhoomiyile Manohara Swakaryam | | |
| 2021 | Nizhal | Vishwanathan | |
| 2021 | Kala | Raveendran | |
| 2021 | Bheeshma Parvam | Karim Bava | |
| 2021 | Jan.E.Man | Kochu Kunj | |
| 2022 | Panthrandu | Peelu | |
| 2022 | Mahaveeryar | Rudhra Mahaveera Ugrasena Maharaja | |
| 2022 | Pathonpatham Noottandu | Mathews Mar Athanasius / Marthoma XIII | |
| 2022 | Vichithram | Alexander | |
| 2023 | Dear Vaappi | Tailor Basheer | |
| 2023 | 2018 | Mathachan | |
| 2024 | Nadikar | David's co-actor | Cameo |

#### Tamil

List of Lal Tamil film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Engal Anna | Sundaralingam / Veerapandi | |
| 2005 | Sandakozhi | Kasi | |
| 2007 | Marudhamalai | Maasi | |
| 2007 | Oram Po | Bigil | |
| 2007 | Aalwar | Punniyamoorthy | |
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran | Mayandi | |
| 2007 | Deepavali | Chidambaram | |
| 2007 | Rameswaram | Vasanthi's father | |
| 2008 | Kaalai | Jeevanandham IPS | |
| 2009 | Thoranai | Chennai Police Commissioner | |
| 2009 | Anthony Yaar? | Michael | |
| 2009 | Azhagar Malai | Rathnavelu | |
| 2010 | Porkkalam | Aslam Bhai | |
| 2013 | Kutti Puli | Arjunan | |
| 2015 | Chandi Veeran | Thamarai's father | |
| 2018 | Antony | George | |
| 2018 | Seema Raja | Karikkada / Kaathadi Kannan | |
| 2018 | Sandakozhi 2 | Kasi | Special appearance |
| 2020 | God Father | Marudhu Singam | |
| 2021 | Sulthan | Mansoor | |
| 2021 | Karnan | Yeama Raja | |
| 2022 | Taanakkaran | Eshwaramurthy | |
| 2022 | The Warriorr | Kumarappa | |
| 2022 | Ponniyin Selvan: I | Tirukoilur Malaiyaman | |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | Tirukoilur Malaiyaman | |
| 2023 | Maamannan | CM Sindhanai Rajan | |
| 2023 | Tamil Kudimagan | Sudalaiyandi | |
| 2024 | Singapore Saloon | Chacha | |
| 2024 | Star | Pandian | |
| 2025 | Kadhalikka Neramillai | Sid's father | |

#### Telugu

List of Lal Telugu film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2006 | Khatarnak | Smuggler |
| 2006 | Annavaram | Puranapool Ganga |
| 2009 | Pistha | Vizag Police Commissioner |
| 2019 | Saaho | Ibrahim |
| 2022 | The Warriorr | Kumarappa |
| 2023 | Veera Simha Reddy | Sidhappa |

#### Other Languages

List of Lal film credits in other languages :
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 2007 | Before the Rains | Rajat | English |
| 2009 | Yuvah | Dhoni | Kannada |
| 2019 | Saaho | Ibrahim | Hindi |
| 2024 | Mahadev Ka Gorakhpur | - | Bhojpuri |

#### Web Series

List of Lal web series credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Platform |
| 2023 | Kerala Crime Files | Kurian | Malayalam | Disney+ Hotstar |

### Director, writer

List of Lal film credits as director or writer :
| Year | Title | Credited as | Credited as | Notes |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
| 1986 | Pappan Priyappetta Pappan | | Yes | |
| 1987 | Nadodikkattu | | Story |
| 1989 | Ramji Rao Speaking | Co-director | Yes | Directorial debut as Siddique–Lal |
| 1990 | In Harihar Nagar | Co-director | Yes | |
| 1991 | Godfather | Co-director | Yes | |
| 1992 | Makkal Mahatmyam | | Story | |
| 1992 | Vietnam Colony | Co-director | Yes | |
| 1993 | Kabooliwala | Co-director | Yes | |
| 1993 | Manichithrathazhu | 2nd unit | | |
| 1995 | Mannar Mathai Speaking | | Yes | Sequel to Ramji Rao Speaking |
| 2009 | 2 Harihar Nagar | Yes | Yes | Debut as independent director |
| 2010 | In Ghost House Inn | Yes | Yes | Sequel to 2 Harihar Nagar |
| 2010 | Tournament – Play & Replay | Yes | Yes | |
| 2012 | Cobra | Yes | Yes | |
| 2016 | King Liar | Yes | Co-writer | |
| 2017 | Honey Bee 2.5 | | Yes | |
| 2021 | Tsunami | Co-director | Yes |

### Producer, distributor

List of Lal film credits as producer or distributor :
| Year | Title | Credited as |
| 1996 | Hitler | Producer |
| 1997 | Superman | Producer |
| 1999 | Friends | Producer |
| 2000 | Thenkasipattanam | Producer Distributor |
| 2001 | One Man Show | Distributor |
| 2002 | Kalyanaraman | Producer Distributor |
| 2003 | Swapnakkoodu | Distributor |
| 2004 | Chathikkatha Chanthu | Producer Distributor |
| 2004 | Black | Producer Distributor |
| 2005 | Thommanum Makkalum | Producer Distributor |
| 2005 | Bunglavil Outha | Distributor |
| 2005 | Bharathchandran I.P.S. | Distributor |
| 2005 | Chanthupottu | Producer Distributor |
| 2006 | Chinthamani Kolacase | Distributor |
| 2006 | Classmates | Distributor |
| 2006 | Pothan Vava | Producer Distributor |
| 2007 | Panthaya Kozhi | Producer Distributor |
| 2007 | Nivedyam | Distributor |
| 2007 | Kangaroo | Distributor |
| 2008 | Cycle | Distributor |
| 2008 | Thalappavu | Distributor |
| 2009 | 2 Harihar Nagar | Producer Distributor |
| 2010 | In Ghost House Inn | Producer Distributor |
| 2010 | Elsamma Enna Aankutty | Distributor |
| 2010 | Tournament – Play & Replay | Producer |
| 2011 | Salt N' Pepper | Distributor |
| 2011 | Violin | Distributor |
| 2017 | Honey Bee 2: Celebrations | Producer |

### Other crew credits

* 1987: Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal – Script supervisor and assistant director (as Siddique–Lal)