M. P. Michael, popularly known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and distributor who works mainly in Malayalam and Tamil films, with occasional appearances in Telugu cinema. Over the years, Lal has garnered critical acclaim, winning prestigious awards such as the National Film Award – Special Mention (2012), two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor (2008, 2013), and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam (2008). He also owns Lal Media Arts, a film post-production studio based in Kochi.

Born on 2 December 1958 to M. A. Paul and Philomina in Ernakulam, Lal hails from a family deeply rooted in the Malayalam entertainment industry. His brother Alex Paul is a noted music composer, and his son Jean Paul Lal (Lal Jr.) is a film director. His extended family includes actor Balu Varghese, who is his sister Neena’s son. Lal’s initial career began with Kalabhavan as a mimicry artist alongside his friend Siddique, forming the iconic Siddique-Lal duo, known for their success as directors of popular Malayalam films. Their notable works include Vietnam Colony (1992) and Kabooliwala (1994).

Following their split as a director duo, Lal ventured into film production and later acting, making his acting debut as the antagonist Paniyan in Kaliyattam (1997), a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Othello. He made a successful return to directing with hits like 2 Harihar Nagar (2009). Lal’s performance in Ozhimuri (2012) earned him the National Film Award – Special Mention, further establishing him as a powerful performer. In recent years, he appeared in significant films like Sulthan (2021), Karnan (2021), Taanakkaran (2022), and portrayed a warrior in Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023). Lal continues to be a respected figure in South Indian cinema, balancing his acting and directorial ventures with finesse.