JEDDAH, 16 December 2003 — India’s national film industry is passing through a “correctional phase,” according to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal.
“A number of flops of feature films at the box-office has made all those involved in the industry to reflect on why it is in a crisis,” Mohanlal, who has completed 25 years in the Malayalam film industry, told a press conference at Red Sea Palace Hotel last night.
“The film industry has always passed through a cycle of phases. We had some very good time when films with purposeful story content were made and they appealed to the people,” said Mohanlal, who has acted in 256 films — a majority of them in Malayalam and a few in other Indian languages. He has also acted in a recent Hindi blockbuster “Company” in the role of a police officer.
A versatile actor that he is known through his Malayalam films, Mohanlal, who has won several national and state awards, is coauthoring a book on himself. He was decorated with “Padmashri,” one of the coveted civilian national awards given on the occasion of the country’s Republic Day.
His recent Malayalam movies include “Vamanapuram Bus Service” in the role of Lever Johnny and “Love” in Kannada.
Mohanlal, who began producing his own movies some years ago and diversified his business activity in areas like marine exports, pastries, restaurants and now spices, said he was “least interested” in politics. He made the statement when asked to comment on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain’s capture. “Politics and I don’t go together.”
“Malayalam films don’t have stories with political themes unlike Tamil and Kannada movies that occasionally have stories woven with ongoing politics at both national and state levels,” he said.
Family, social and cultural themes have been dominating the Malayalam cinema to a great extent.
He said he believed in giving his best as an actor. “That’s why I’ve been acting in one movie at a time.”
About his interest in spices, which is being marketed as “Mohanlal’s Taste Buds” — spices, ‘masala’ mix and pickles, he said: “Cinema has been my greatest passion, but dishes with a spicy flavor cooked by my mother and grandmother have continued to linger in me and that’s how I chose to launch my own spice products six months ago.”
“I’ve identified 300 food products that will be included in my business venture in due course,” said Mohanlal who is currently in the Kingdom launching his spices and attending receptions in his honor. He came here from Riyadh and will be in Dammam today.
