One of the best actors this country has ever seen is celebrating his 58th birthday today. On behalf of the entire LatestLY desk, we wish the multi-faceted, multi-skilled, multi-talented, brilliant Mohanlal Many Many Happy Returns of the day!

None of the adjectives I have mentioned in the previous line feels exaggerated to you, if you are familiar with the actor's work since he made his acting debut with the movie Manjil Virinja Pookkal in 1980. He started off his acting career as a villain and later took on supporting roles and anti-heroes to finally turning hero, and later a superstar with Rajavinte Magan. All in a matter of a few years. His acting career flourished during the golden era of Malayalam cinema (from the late '80s to early '90s). Mohanlal proves himself with his amazing histrionic ability that there is no genre that is a hindrance to him when it comes to displaying his brilliance as an actor.

Even after three decades of ruling Malayalam silver screen (along with fellow megastar Mammootty), Mohanlal is showing no signs of giving up on his rule over his fans. He is signing exciting movies like Odiyan, Neerali, Lucifer (actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's directorial debut) and the much-anticipated Rs 1000 crore Mahabharata project.

BTW, if you want to get yourself familiarised with the actor's magnificent work, here's a starter pack for you featuring 12 movies from 12 genres (actually 12 is too negligible a number to put on the number of great films Mohanlal has delivered till date).

Tragedy - Kireedam

The tale of how a good soul can turn to the dark side without the support of his loved ones, Kireedam is a sad and a difficult watch if you want to see it twice. If you have seen the climax of the movie, and yet not cried your hearts out, your heart is definitely made of stone! Mohanlal is simply heart-rending here!

Supernatural  - Shree Krishna Paruntu

Though Mohanlal has not attempted many horror movies in his career, this supernatural period thriller stands out on his career for being a risky move when he just attained superstardom. Mohanlal plays a waylaid brahmin who changes for the good to take down supernatural forces only for the old ways to catch up with him in this tale that mixes sensuality with horror.

Comedy - Nadodikaattu Series

Okay, I may be cheating here by putting a trilogy but how can you just place one movie in the list when each movie in this series is a classic and is successful in making you laugh. While the first two movies - Nadodikattu and Patanapravesham - attempts to add sentimentalism in between (which works too), the third, Akkare Akkare Akkare, throws emotions to the winds to deliver a complete laugh riot. And just what to say about Mohanlal-Sreenivasan combo? Pure gold!

Thriller - Drishyam

Drishyam's cult appeal is so awesome that it had made many remakes in its wake including a Bollywood and Tamil ones. Mohanlal successfully manages to deliver a convincing heroic act in what is perceived to be a common man role without showing any superhero traits. The final twist is easily one of the best pull-the-rug moments in Indian cinema.

Psychological Thriller - Manichitratazhu

If there is any movie that can call itself the most rewatched in Malayalam cinema, it goes for this blockbuster. From Shobana's National award-winning performance to the creepy BG score to Mohanlal's quirky psychiatrist act, everything in this movie screams PERFECTION!

Social Drama - Varavelppu

You need to pay attention to a movie that even the former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee had praised. Mohanlal plays a Gulf-returned Malayali who plans to start his own bus service in Kerala only for the socio-political conditions in the state to play spoilsport. What's striking about the movie is that even after nearly three decades of the movie's release, Varavelppu still feels relevant!

Action - Moonam Mura

Mohanlal plays a disgraced cop who is asked to save a group of hostages, including a Minister, from the clutches of a criminal gang.  Mohanlal has done many action movies in his career. But this underrated thriller is special for me for its brilliant supporting cast, the thrill factor and trying to make the hero a realistic character with believable skills.

Romance - Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

Mohanlal and late director Padmarajan has given us some wonderful gems (also recommended: Thoovanathumbikal). In this lovely romantic drama, Mohanlal is a vineyard owner who falls the daughter of the neighbouring family, a girl who is often abused by her step-father. You will fall in love with both the premise, its touching climax and some beautiful songs in the movie.

Mystery Thriller - Mukham

Mohanlal has donned the investigator's suit many times in his career. But watch out for Mukham, a suspense thriller where his cop character tries to figure out who is behind the killings of some of the rich women in the city. Understated and smart, the movie surprises you at every twist and turn with a terrific reveal towards the end.

Adventure - Yodha

The remake of the Eddie Murphy movie The Golden Child, Mohanlal is a simple youth who comes to Nepal to meet his uncle only to find himself crossing lanes with a runaway Lama boy and the dark forces out to kill him. Filled with enough action, comedy, romance and an eclectic score by AR Rahman (then known as Dileep), Yodha catches your attention from the start and never lets go of it till the end.

Masala - Aaram Thampuran

Not a fan of Mohanlal's meesha-pirippal superhuman dramas, but have to pick out this Shaji Kailas movie for being a standout in this genre. Mohanlal, fortunately, doesn't go to bombastic, though each of his dialogues is worth a clap. There is also the talented Manju Warrier as the female lead, and that is always a win!

Offbeat - Vanaprastham

Mohanlal bagged his second National award for the Best Actor in this  Shaji N. Karun movie. You have to admire his dedication as an actor as he learnt Kathakali, one of the most difficult dance forms, just so that he can get into the skin of the character.

Do you think the above list does any sort of justice for the brilliance of Mohanlal? Share your favourite films of the actor in the comments section below.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2018 05:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).