Born Michael to M. A. Paul and Philomina and educated at St. Augustine’s High School in Ernakulam, he began as a mimicry performer at Kalabhavan before moving into film as an assistant director to Fazil. Partnering with childhood friend Siddique, the duo formed Siddique-Lal and produced early hits such as Vietnam Colony (1992) and Kabooliwala (1994), later parting ways when Lal turned producer for…
