At a ceremony held in South Block, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor formally piped the Malayam actor, Army officers said here.
Lal has now become the second major catch by the Army to be its brand ambassador after legendary cricketer and 1983 World Cup hero Kapil Dev, who too was conferred the honorary
Lt Col rank last October.
The Malayalam actor will join the 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) of the Madras Regiment or Kannur Terriers, they said.
Speaking on the occasion, Lal said, "I will try to serve the TA to the best of my ability in my newly assigned role."
In preparation to don the Olive Green, Lal had visited Kargil a couple of months ago to undergo training and to be fit to accept the honorary rank of Lt Col.
After the piping ceremony, Lal is likely to visit his battalion in Kannur and interact with the troops. He would also visit schools and colleges to meet youth and encourage them to join the Army, officers added.
