Script Writer John Paul about Mohanlal

"My Missed Opportunities and Journey with Mohanlal." - John Paul (Script Writer)

I have associated with quite a number of movies with Mohanlal, the actor. Some turned out to be good films. Our friendship was special for me because we never introduced our professional life to it and also maintained a certain distance which we both are comfortable with. Even today, he maintains the same relationship with me. I consider one my biggest misses as a writer is not coming up with a script that utilized the talent of Mohanlal, the actor. The closest one from my side might be "Ulsava Pittennu", directed by Bharath Gopi. But I personally believe that it really didn't justify the talent completely despite of a brilliant performance from Lal.

P N Menon, Bharathan, K G George, Balu Mahendra & Mohan. We planned to do a Mohanlal film during our various discussions. Unfortunately, none materialized beyond discussions. Once Mohanlal met me in my hotel room and checked out the novel on the table.lying on the table. It was Chilambu, written by Balachandran. Mohanlal suggested the idea of adapting this novel into a film. I was also equally excited by the idea and asked him who should helm the project. He suggested P N Menon. P N Menon also was quite enthusiastic about this idea and he assembled a team where Balu Mahendra was the cinematographer & Ilayaraja was the music director. Unfortunately, Bharathan brought the rights of the movie and commenced the pre-production of the movie. P N Menon and myself was quite disappointed after hearing this news and dropped the project. While Chilambu turned out be one of Bharathan's worst movies.

Eventhough Bharathan & Mohanlal didn't work beyond two movies, both planned various times to work with each other. Bharathan planned a Mohanlal film for Seven Arts after being impressed by his performances. He planned to adapt from a classic and it was Thakazhi Shivasankaran Pillai's work, Randidangazhi. We even had a one round discussion at Thakazhi's place.We decided to provide a unique treatment to the novel by adapting it to the current circumstances. Marcus Bartley (Chemeen fame) has been fixed as the cinematographer. But unfortunately the film was made earlier in Malayalam. Bharathan, with loads of disappointment, backed out from the project since the film will be ignored at Academic levels.

Kanmani Babu (producer of Chemeen), planned a Mohanlal project with K G George and me. He planned to have Govind Nilhani as cinematographer & Hrishikesh Mukherjee to edit the film. But Babu was unable to go ahead with the project beyond one round discussion. K G George conveyed to me that each time he sees a good performance from Mohanlal, he feels sad for not able to work with him. Lal is the artist whom K G George miss the most.

When Balu Mahendra planned to remake his "Kokila" in Malayalam, I suggested Mohanlal as the lead role. Unfortunately Balu wasn't excited with the idea because he is not aware about the movies of Mohanlal. He went ahead with Y G Mahendra & Poornima. When he saw I V Sasi's "Aalkootathil Thaniye", where Mohanlal delivered a mesmerizing performance in two scenes, he realized his missed opportunity. During the shooting of Yaathra, he regretfully told " John I never knew he was so versatile I missed him...". Once, in presence of Ilayaraja, Balu planned a Mohanlal project but unfortunately it remained in plans.

I planned a humor subject with Mohan featuring Mohanlal in lead to capture his comic timing onscreen. But Mohanlal wasn't extremely enthusiastic about the idea and conveyed the same to us. He expected Mohan to come up with a movie that exploits his acting prowess like Bharath Gopi,Nedumudi Venu etc etc. We understood his side and changed our plans accordingly. This time bad luck hunted me down once again. I was diagnosed with viral fever and was taking full time rest. The shooting dates were nearing and I immediately contacted A K Lohitadas to replace me for this project. Lohi agreed and arrived at Madras for discussions with Mohan. Unfortunately, he was asked to reach the location of "Mrugaya" immediately due to some emergency issues. I contacted Anandhu (Nidra storywriter) and introduced him to Mohan. Using his storyline, Mohan set a script with Joseph Madapilly & Maniswamy. The movie was "Mukham". I always wondered if Lohi was associated with this project, that may have resulted in a project which Mohanlal expected from Mohan. Later they joined hands for "Pakshe" under the script of Cherian Kalpakavaadi.

Seven Arts asked me to set a screenplay for a Mohanlal-Prathap Pothen project. Priyadarshan was quite excited with this project and we planned to do a film based on "Kayamkulam Kochunni". Despite of doing various research, the film was dropped.

But despite of the disappointments, I was able to witness some moments where some of the legends in the business identified the talent in Mohanlal much before he attained his stature. Devarajan during a rec-recording session of the film, "Himavahini", noticed Mohanlal's cameo. Devarajan saw the spark of brilliance of a great actor in him then itself. These were his words.

We don't expect Devarajan to praise him in public or in his presence. But the master didn't need to see him complete performance to understand his mettle. Kamal Hassan also told me with respect mixed with envy about his flexibility. "But when he starts acting; he is another being; dynamic, flexible,versatile I adore him...". Legendary actor Sivaji Ganeshan called him "Mappilai". 'He has a style; inimitable and original.... He has his own identity....Maapilai perform panthru maathiri avarkku mattum act panna mudiyum..Every good actor, ever great actor, is like that.... love him for his caliber."

P Bhaskaran was impressed when Mohanlal's production company took an initiative to bring back pure music through His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham & Kamaladalam. With loads of happiness, he expressed: "We don't expect Devarajan to praise him in public or in his presence. But the master didn't need to see him complete performance to understand his mettle. Kamal Hassan also told me with respect mixed with envy about his flexibility. "But when he starts acting; he is another being; dynamic, flexible,versatile I adore him...". Legendary actor Sivaji Ganeshan called him "Mappilai". 'He has a style; inimitable and original.... He has his own identity....Maapilai perform panthru maathiri avarkku mattum act panna mudiyum..Every good actor, ever great actor, is like that.... love him for his caliber."

P Bhaskaran was impressed when Mohanlal's production company took an initiative to bring back pure music through His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham & Kamaladalam. With loads of happiness, he expressed: 

During the shooting of Kaatathe Kilikkoodu, Srividhya was quite impressed by Lal's easiness in his performance. "It is very spontaneous and due that reason its so genuine". While great Bharath Gopi claimed that it was a pleasure to act with Lal. "We share great chemistry and never required any preparations. This lets my mind free and a harmony gets radiated. Just like an impulse, Mohanlal's reflex syncs well with our rhythm and we reciprocate to it. Only a born artist can possess that magic".

Bharathan also was impressed with Mohanlal and planned various projects with Lal which unfortunately didn't materialize. "He is so free.. We don't feel like he is acting. But the same time he maintains what is required for the character and thus never went overboard with his performance. Also I found it easy and comfortable to handle Mohanlal. He is so receptive as an artist. Under my observation, an actor like Mohanlal can exhibit his true potential when he is placed in an unusual terrain", quoted Bharathan. This was proved when Bharathan cast him as Balan in Thaazhvaaram. M T Vasudevan Nair also claimed after the Thaazhvaaram experience, "I was equally amazed by Bharathan's scintillating visuals & Mohanlal's terrific performance"

K S Sethumadhavan privately called Mohanlal as "Mohini" due to his desirable acting capability.

Mohanlal is still able to maintain the acting prowess in him even today. As a witness or as a co-traveler, its my pleasure and good fortune to be part of that great journey.

K S Sethumadhavan privately called Mohanlal as "Mohini" due to his desirable acting capability.
Mohanlal is still able to maintain the acting prowess in him even today. As a witness or as a co-traveler, its my pleasure and good fortune to be part of that great journey.

During the shooting of Kaatathe Kilikkoodu, Srividhya was quite impressed by Lal's easiness in his performance. "It is very spontaneous and due that reason its so genuine". While great Bharath Gopi claimed that it was a pleasure to act with Lal. "We share great chemistry and never required any preparations. This lets my mind free and a harmony gets radiated. Just like an impulse, Mohanlal's reflex syncs well with our rhythm and we reciprocate to it. Only a born artist can possess that magic".

Bharathan also was impressed with Mohanlal and planned various projects with Lal which unfortunately didn't materialize. "He is so free.. We don't feel like he is acting. But the same time he maintains what is required for the character and thus never went overboard with his performance. Also I found it easy and comfortable to handle Mohanlal. He is so receptive as an artist. Under my observation, an actor like Mohanlal can exhibit his true potential when he is placed in an unusual terrain", quoted Bharathan. This was proved when Bharathan cast him as Balan in Thaazhvaaram. M T Vasudevan Nair also claimed after the Thaazhvaaram experience, "I was equally amazed by Bharathan's scintillating visuals & Mohanlal's terrific performance"

K S Sethumadhavan privately called Mohanlal as "Mohini" due to his desirable acting capability. Mohanlal is still able to maintain the acting prowess in him even today. As a witness or as a co-traveler, its my pleasure and good fortune to be part of that great journey.