Mohanlal, still raring to go at 53

One of Malayalam cinema's most famous superstars, Mohanlal is still raring to go as he turns 53. The actor, who has been a part of the film industry since the past three decades and is known for his hits such as Namukku Parkan Mundhiri Thoppukal, Kaalapani and Kanmadam, is busy shooting for his Tamil film Jilla even on his birthday.

Here's a look at his life and times as he turns a year older.

Mohanlal was born in Pathanamthitta in Kerala. His father, an officer in the state government secretariat went on to became the Law Secretary of Kerala. He had an elder brother, Pyarelal, who passed away 2000. He was raised in his maternal house in Thiruvananthapuram and studied at Model School there.

The first time his acting ability came to the fore was at the Model School (Trivandrum) in 1972. While he was in the sixth grade and competing with 10th graders, he was selected as the best actor!

However, Mohanlal's first break into films didn't prove as lucky. He was offered a comic role in Thiranottam produced by his friends from the Bharath CineGroup but the film opened in a single theatre.

His second movie in the 80s Manjil Virinja Pookkal became his first big release. Mohanlal portrayed the role of the antagonist in this blockbuster.

Then there was no looking back. By 1983, Mohanlal had featured in more than 25 films. Offers to act in a variety of films were in plenty.

Mohanlal received his first Kerala State Award for Best Actor for T.P.Balagopalan M.A, directed by Sathyan Anthikad.

In 1986 he scored another blockbuster hit as an underworld don in Rajavinte Makan.

The 90s, often dubbed as the golden era of Malayalam cinema, witnessed Mohanlal portraying challenging characters and breaking many stereotypes in films.

Among Mohanlal's most successful films of this decade is Devasuram, written by Ranjith and directed by I V Sasi.

During these years, Mohanlal also stepped out of the Malayalam film industry. His first non-Malayalam movie was the Tamil film Iruvar (1997), directed by Mani Ratnam.

Mohanlal won a National Award for Best Actor for the Indo-French movie Vaanaprastham. The film was also selected for the competitive section at the Cannes Film Festival for that year.

In 1997, Mohanlal's film Guru was India's official entry in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars.

In the next decade Mohanlal continued his winning performances. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001. In the previous year he starred in Narasimham, among the highest grossing films in Malayalam cinema to date.

Mohanlal's first Bollywood movie was Ram Gopal Varma's Company in 2002. He won the IIFA Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Mohanlal went on proving his worth with movies such as Angel John I(2009), Janakan (2009, Unnaipoloruvan (2009) and Alexander the Great (2010).

After loaded performances in films, Mohanlal made his debut on stage in the Sanskrit play Karnabharam.

Christian Brothers, Mohanlal's first release in 2011 became the highest grossing Malayalam film in that year. His other releases the same year - China Town, Pranayam, Snehaveedu and Oru Marubhoomikkadha also did well at the box ofice.

The actor played the role of a police officer in Priyadarshan's Bollywood action-thriller Tezz which released in 2011.

Casanova, his much-awaited film in 2012, was a superhit. Mohanlal played a millionaire businessman with a love for pretty girls in the movie. Grandmaster, Run Baby Run and Karmayodha which released the same year were also big hits.

Mohanlal's first release of 2013 Ladies and Gentlemen was a declared a box office hit. His other movie Red Wine received a mixed reception among the viewers.

After a grand 2012, Mohanlal has many films lined up for release in 2013 including Lokpal, Dollar Raja, 6 Muthal 60 Vare and Mister Fraud.

In his 34-year career, he has acted in over 300 Malayalam films, 4 Tamil films and 4 Bollywood films. He has equally memorable theatre appearances and is truly te complete actor.

Here's wishing Mohanlal a very happy birthday and a successful year ahead.