The king of the Malayalam film industry Mohanlal is known for his capability of playing a larger-than-life warrior, his greatest magic often lies in portraying the struggles, dreams, and humor of the middle-class Malayali. This was perfected through his collaboration with the legendary director Sathyan Anthikad. Today we will be checking out five essential movies of this magical pair of the Malayalam film industry.
Five essential Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad Movies
1. Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) – The Relatable Landlord
In this gem, Mohanlal plays Gopalakrishna Panicker, a man desperately trying to evict a family from his house to pay off his debts. It’s a masterclass in “situational comedy.” Lalettan portrays the frustration of a man caught between his own financial ruin and his inherent goodness. His chemistry with Sreenivasan and Karthika here remains a benchmark for family entertainers.
2. Gandhi Nagar 2nd Street (1986) – The Gorkha Twist
Mohanlal plays Sethu, an unemployed youth who disguises himself as a Nepali Gorkha security guard to find a job. This film is the epitome of the 80s “unemployed youth” struggle, balanced with brilliant humor. The ease with which Lalettan slips into the “Ram Singh” persona while maintaining the emotional core of a man hiding his identity is pure brilliance.
3. Varavelpu (1989) – The Struggle of the Entrepreneur
Highly relevant given Lalettan’s new role as KSRTC Ambassador, this film follows Murali, a Gulf-returnee who invests his hard-earned savings into a public transport bus. The film is a poignant look at the labor issues and bureaucratic hurdles in Kerala. Mohanlal’s performance is heart-wrenching yet resilient, making us root for his character’s simple dream of making an honest living.
4. Pattanapravesham (1988) – The Return of Dasan and Vijayan
The legendary duo of CID Dasan and Vijayan returned in this Sathyan Anthikad sequel to Nadodikkattu. Mohanlal’s portrayal of the slightly arrogant yet bumbling Dasan is comedy gold. This film proved that the duo could take the “mass” element of a police investigation and ground it in the hilarious reality of two men who are constantly out of their depth.
5. Rasathanthram (2006) – The Master of Crafts
Marking their reunion after a long gap, this film showed that the magic was still alive. Mohanlal plays Premachandran, a skilled carpenter with a mysterious past. It brought back the “old Lalettan”—the one who could make you laugh with a simple gesture and move you with a silent gaze. It was a massive commercial hit that reaffirmed the duo’s hold over the family audience.
The Sathyan Anthikad-Mohanlal films aren’t just movies; they are mirrors of Kerala’s society. They remind us why, even in the era of pan-Indian blockbusters, the “Common Man” Mohanlal remains the most beloved version of the King. Don’t forget to share your favourite movie in the comments section below.
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