Mohanlal Interview: ‘Empuraan' Will Be Totally Different From 'Lucifer’

Mohanlal is pleased as punch. After four decades as an actor, the legendary Malayalam star made his debut as a director with the fantasy adventure Barroz that released on Christmas last month. Despite the mixed response at the box-office, Mohanlal insists that he is happy with how his pet project turned out, a visionary idea that he truly believes he manifested over several years.

Now back to acting with a stacked 2025 coming up, the 64-year-old star talks to us about his mindset in the wake of his filmmaking debut, his upcoming collaboration with Prithviraj Sukumaran in Empuraan, reuniting with long-time friend Mammootty in Mahesh Narayanan’s next, and more.

Excerpts from a conversation:

You’ve spoken a lot about the making of Barroz and what drew you to the project. Were you satisfied with the experience of making the film?

Yes, it was really exciting to use the native 3D technology shot with the stereo lenses.
It’s an attempt after 40 years to explore new dimensions, and I approached it as a visual way of storytelling. We designed it as an immersive theatrical experience; the film also features an animated character interacting with a live character throughout the narrative, for the first time in India.

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Movies like Barroz are just a gentle pause button urging families to come together, share a magical journey with their children, and rekindle the joy that comes from letting your imagination take flight. For me, it was all about creating something timeless, something that resonates with both the young and the young at heart.

Now that you have directed your first film, are there more ideas for scripts floating around in your mind?

Ah... so direction, it’s not my cup of tea. I only made Barroz because it was almost like an unexpected calling for me, with the help of some extraordinary powers. I have never planned anything in my life; these things just happen. Many years ago, I’d said that if I ever made a film myself, it would be a children’s film.

I always strive to do something different, such as the time I did Sanskrit plays for NSD or when we premiered Vanaprastham at Cannes in 1999. I am a performer, first and foremost; so if I ever truly get the urge to direct something unique again, then I may take it up.

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Are you happy with the audience’s response to Barroz?

It is the audience’s responsibility now to take it forward; after four decades, I look at it as giving back to society. Everyone who has watched the film has enjoyed it. But a lot of people haven’t even watched the film and are criticising it. See, I always appreciate feedback… but when you criticise something, you need to be thorough with it. I never claimed that this is to be compared with Hollywood films or the technology used in their films — it is just a humble attempt at trying something different from me and my exceptionally talented team.

Mohanlal

You could potentially have five releases in 2025, and you are collaborating with your Lucifer director Prithviraj Sukumaran again for Empuraan…

Prithviraj is a great director. He can be one of the greatest filmmakers in India, because of the vision and the kind of commitment that he has. The way he uses his lensing is amazing and how he takes actors into his custody and ‘tames’ them is also a very special skill.

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Over the three films I’ve worked with him — Lucifer, Bro Daddy, and Empuraan — he has really refined himself as a filmmaker. He has got the attitude to come out with a truly pathbreaking film one day very soon.

Can you tell us anything more about the film?

On Empuraan, well, it’s a really commercial film with action, drama, and everything else you can expect. But the thing is, you cannot compare it with Lucifer at all. It’s totally different from the first instalment; we made sure of that.

You are also reuniting with your friend Mammootty on-screen after quite a few years for Mahesh Narayanan’s action-thriller. How did this finally come about?

It’s been a few years, yes... but not that long too. You know that Mammootty and I have a long history of working together; I think this is our 55th collaboration together. But over the years, in the Malayalam film industry, it’s become tougher to accommodate actors together in the same film. But then, Mahesh came to us with a very interesting project, and we both were ready to come on board. They are now shooting in Baku… let’s see how this shapes out.

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On the sets of 'Empuraan'

2024 was a really pivotal year for Malayalam cinema nationally and internationally; how do you think this augurs for the industry and yourself?

This is my 47th year here, and I know there are brilliant actors all over the country. But I’ve also realised that if we cannot get good characters, how will actors then show their talents? We need a platform and we need beautiful scripts. Both Mammooty and I have had the opportunity to do some incredible work from the literature and novels that could be translated into movies. So to bring out the actor in you, you need such colleagues to help you evolve.

I think I’m a blessed actor because I had the chance to work with other legends like Prem Nazir, Sivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan, Nageswar Rao.. and I was also very close to brilliant actors like Raj Kumar sir, Gopichettan, Nedumudi Venu, and so on. I evolved from the blessings and aura of those actors.