Paul Michael (born December 2, 1958), better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor.

He is most famous for teaming up with Siddique under the shared name Siddique-Lal to make films such as Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), In Harihar Nagar (1990), Godfather (1991), Vietnam Colony (1992), and Kabooliwala (1994). The duo broke off afterwards but he produced Siddique's Hitler (1996) and Friends (1999). Other films he has produced include Thenkasipattanam (2000), Kalyanaraman (2002), Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), and Thommanum Makkalum (2005).

Lal's debut as an actor came in 1997 when he played Paniyan in Jayaraj's Kaliyattam. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for playing Raveendran Pillai in Madhupal's film Thalappavu (2008).

After sixteen years, Lal did come back as a director by directing the sequels to In Harihar Nagar, 2 Harihar Nagar (2009) and In Ghost House Inn (2010).

Career[link]

Early career[link]

He started his career as a mimicry artsist in Kalabhavan, along with his childhood friend Siddique, who would later team up as Siddique-Lal to make many films. Lal and Siddique joined as assistant directors to Fazil in 1984.

As director[link]

The Siddique-Lal team became directors with Ramji Rao Speaking. They went on to make four more hit films in a row: In Harihar Nagar, Godfather, Vietnam Colony and Kabooliwala. Lal and Siddique were also associate directors for Fazil's Manichithrathazhu (1993). They are two of the most successful directors in the history of Malayalam cinema. All their movies were record-breaking blockbusters.

As actor[link]

After that, both decided to part ways as a director pair and Lal turned producer with the Siddique-directed Mammootty-starrer Hitler. Lal debuted in acting with a villain role as Paniyan in Kaliyattam, directed by Jayaraj. Kaliyattam was a new take on Othello where Lal played Paniyan, the character standing for Iago.

Lal started acting in Tamil films with N. Linguswamy's Sandakozhi. Lal's other major roles include Sikkander Singh in Punjabi House, Jeevan in Ormacheppu, Devin Karlos Padaveedan in Black, Sathyan in Thommanum Makkalum, the title role in Banglowil Outha, Raveendran Pillai in Madhupal's Thalappavu, and Johny in A. K. Lohithadas's Kanmadam.

As producer[link]

Lal became a producer and distributor in the Malayalam film industry in the mid-1990s and established a film production and distribution company named Lal Creations. The first film he produced was Hitler, which was directed by Siddique and starred Mammootty. He then produced Thenkasipattanam by the Rafi-Mecartin duo, in which he played a major role with Suresh Gopi. He also produced Rafi-Mecartin's Superman and Chathikkatha Chanthu. Other films he has produced include Siddique's Friends, Lal Jose's Chanthupottu and Renjith's Black.

Return to direction[link]

Lal returned to directing with the 2009 film 2 Harihar Nagar, a sequel to In Harihar Nagar. After its success, he directed another sequel named In Ghost House Inn. It was released on March 25, 2010. It also became a box office success.

Music director Alex Paul, who composed soundtracks for the sequels of In Harihar Nagar, is his younger brother.

Awards[link]

• Shortlisted for the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment - Godfather (1991)
• Kerala State Film Award - Best Popular Film - Godfather (1991)
• Kerala State Film Award - Best Actor - Thalapavu (2008)
• Filmfare Awards South - Best Actor - Thalapavu (2008)

Filmography[link]

Actor[link]

Producer[link]

• Tournament (2010)
• In Ghost House Inn (2010)
• 2 Harihar Nagar (2009)
• Panthaya Kozhi (2007)
• Pothan Vava (2006)
• Chanthupottu (2005)
• Thommanum Makkalum (2005)
• Black (2004)
• Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004)
• Pulival Kalyanam (2003)
• Kalyanaraman (2002)
• Thenkasippattanam (2000)
• Friends (1999)
• Superman (1997)
• Hitler (1996)

Distributed films are:

• Salt N' Pepper (2011)
• Violin (film) (2011)
• Elsamma Enna Aankutty (2010)
• Thalappavu (2008)
• Cycle (film) (2008)
• Kaiyoppu (2007)
• Thommanum Makkalum (2005)
• Banglavil Outha (2004)
• Swapnakkoodu (2003)
• One Man Show (2002)

Writer[link]

• Cobra: Kottayam Brothers (2012)
• Tournament (2010)
• In Ghost House Inn (2010)
• 2 Harihar Nagar (2009)
• Hera Pheri (2000) (story)
• 'Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995) (as Siddique Lal)
• Kabuliwala (1993) (as Siddique Lal)
• Vietnam Colony (1993) (as Siddique Lal)
• Makkal Maahathmiam (1992) (story) (as Siddique Lal)
• Godfather (1991) (as Siddique Lal)
• In Harihar Nagar (1990) (as Siddique Lal)
• Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) (as Siddique Lal)
• Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) (Script supervisor and assistant, as Siddique Lal)
• Nadodikkattu (1987) (story idea)
• Pappan Priyappetta Pappan (1986) (as Siddique Lal)

Director[link]

• Harihar Nagar 4 (2012)
• Cobra: Kottayam Brothers (2012)
• Tournament (2010)
• In Ghost House Inn (2010)
• 2 Harihar Nagar (2009)
• Kabooliwala (1994) (with Siddique as Siddique Lal)
• Vietnam Colony (1992) (with Siddique as Siddique Lal)
• Godfather (1991) (with Siddique as Siddique Lal)
• In Harihar Nagar (1990) (with Siddique as Siddique Lal)
• Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) (with Siddique as Siddique Lal)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director[link]

• Manichithrathazhu (1993) (second unit director)
• Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) (assistant director)

References[link]

External links[link]

• IMBD profile