Lal

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

He is most famous for teaming up with Siddique, hence the name Siddique-Lal, to make films such as Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), In Harihar Nagar (1990), Godfather (1991), Vietnam Colony (1993), and Kabuliwala (1993). He later produced Siddique's Hitler (1996) and Friends (1999).

He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for playing Raveendran Pillai in Madhupal's film Thalappavu (2008).

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, along with Siddique joined as assistant director to Fazil in 1988.

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 associate directors for Fazil's Manichithrathazhu (1993).

After that, both decided to part ways as director pair and Lal turned producer with Siddique-directed Mammootty-starrer Hitler. Lal debuted in acting with a villain role as Paniyan in Kaliyattam, directed by Jayaraj. Kaliyattam was a retake of 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 Jeevan in Ormacheppu, Devin Karlos Padaveedan in Black, Sathyan in Thommanum Makkalum and the title role in Banglowil Outha and Raveendran Pillai in Madhupal's Thalappavu.

He became a producer and distributor in Malayalam film industry in early 2000s and established a film production and distribution company named Lal Creations. He produced Thenkasipattanam by the Raffi-Meccartin duo, in which he did a major role with Suresh Gopi. He also produced Raffi-Meccartin's Superman and Chathikkatha Chanthu. Other films produced by him include Siddique's Friends, Lal Jose's Chanthupottu, and Renjith's Black.

Lal has recently returned to take the job of a filmmaker in the 2009 film 2 Harihar Nagar, a sequel to In Harihar Nagar. He is currently directing it's sequel following its super hit success titled In Ghost House Inn: Harihar Nagar-3.

Awards
Kerala State Film Award - Best Actor - Thalapavu (2008)

Prepared by: Dr. Susie Pazhavarical