Mohanlal’s bold gold jewellery campaign sparks mixed reactions online: Here's our take

Dubai: Let’s be honest — when you think of diamond jewellery ads in this part of the world, you don’t expect a male superstar swaying to classical music, wrist flicks and all, dripping in sparkle like he’s channeling his inner Bharatanatyam queen. But guess who said, “Hold my necklace”? That’s right — Mohanlal.

In a now-viral jewellery commercial for Vinsmera Jewels, the Malayalam megastar — usually cast as the bulletproof alpha of Mollywood — tiptoes right past the safe zone. He slips into what the internet is calling his “feminine energy era” and serves up a performance that is bold, baffling, and kind of… brilliant. Here’s the setup: Mohanlal is on set, calm and collected. But the moment he spots a glittering jewellery set, he quietly vanishes into his vanity van. Cut to: the star decked out in a diamond necklace, bracelet, and ring, doing a full twirl with the confidence of a pageant queen. He isn’t goofing off — he’s dancing. He’s feeling it. Until the director walks in, jaw on floor. Mohanlal bursts into a hearty laugh.

And that’s when the comment section lit up like a Diwali store.

“Only Lalettan could pull this off.”
“This is cinema.”
“Why is this giving me whiplash?”
“I’m equal parts confused and impressed.”

Fair.

But wait — this ad aso features Prakash Varma, the famed ad filmmaker and Thudarum villain, who makes a cheeky appearance as the director caught in the act (literally). It’s a fun little meta nod to ad-world royalty and Mollywood nostalgia, tucked right into the sparkle and swirl.

Now let’s talk context. This is not your average ad campaign. In a region where cross-dressing, gender-bending, or even playful androgyny can be considered taboo — or worse, criminal — this was a move that turned heads and raised eyebrows. Mohanlal, a man known for commanding respect with a glare or a grunt, just danced his way into an ad that celebrates softness, sass, and gender fluidity. That, my friends, takes guts.

It’s especially surprising coming from someone who once called the MeToo movement a “fad” in an interview with Gulf News — a statement that deserved every bit of the backlash it received. And yet, here he is, arguably doing something far more radical than any soundbite: embodying a form of self-expression rarely afforded to male superstars in South Indian cinema.

And let’s be clear — he doesn’t mock femininity. He embraces it. His hand gestures are delicate, his expressions are theatrical, and his energy? Fully committed. There’s no wink to the camera, no “I’m doing this for laughs.” He plays it straight — or rather, fluid — and that’s what makes it land.

For some fans, this is peak versatility. For others, it's a step too far from the Mohanlal they grew up with — the tough guy, the legend, the man’s man. But love it or not, he’s made a statement. In a space typically dominated by women, Mohanlal walked in, owned it, and left everyone talking.

And that’s what stars do.

In the end, whether you saw bold art, brand strategy, or just bizarre casting, one thing’s for sure: Mohanlal — with a little help from Prakash Varma — danced straight into our timelines and reminded us why he still reigns supreme.

He’s not just acting anymore. He’s playing with perception. And in a world that loves its labels, Mohanlal just tore one off — and sparkled.