Recognized for his filmmaking skills, Lal Jose is also an actor, producer, and writer in Mollywood. Being prominent part of the industry, he has directed movies like Ayalum Njanum Thammil, Pattalam, Classmates, Nee-Na, Velipadinte Pusthakam among others. Jose won the Filmfare Award for Best Director twice for his films Meesa Madhavan and Ayalum Njanum Thammil; he also Kerala State Award for Best Director for the same movie.

Lal as an assistant director was part of movies like Manasam, Vadhu Doctoranu, Shabha Yathra, Champakkulam Thachan and others. He acted in several movies including Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, Sunday Holiday and Ente Mezhuthiri Athazhangal in 2018. His 2019 releases include Oru Nakshatramulla Aakasam and Mohabathin Kunjabdulla.