My role in 'Paradeshi' one of the best ever: Mohanlal

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23 (IANS) Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who plays a character that stretches from a young man to an 85-year-old in 'Paradeshi', Tuesday said that the film by P.T. Kunhumohammed had offered him one of his 'best ever' roles.

'One reason I rate this as one of the best ever roles is because seldom does an actor get to do a role which stretches from a young age till 85. This is special for me and I would be happy if films like this get the attention of cine goers,' Mohanlal told reporters here. 'Paradeshi' was released Friday.

The movie tells the story of a young man who moved to Karachi to look after his family but finds himself stuck in Pakistan after the partition in 1947.

He finally manages to join his family in Kerala - but on a Pakistani passport. The film dwells on the trials and tribulations of families who are forced to stay as aliens in their own land.

Mohanlal however rued that audiences did not take well to serious films.

'...Films like this fail to draw audiences for various reasons and we have to do all types of promotions to tell them that it is a must-see film. If we don't do it then a good film like this doesn't get enough space in the market,' he added.

The veteran actor said he did all his roles with equal passion but a character remained with him only on the sets and not beyond that.

'See when I do a particular role or a character, it is there (with me) only till the film's shooting ends and doesn't exist beyond that. I don't relive my characters because before I know it I'm involved in a totally new role,' he said.