Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Pride of Malayalam Cinema
Malyalam film star Mohanlal bags Dadasaheb Falke award 2023 ! (Image X.com)
From debuting in 1980 to becoming one of India’s most celebrated actors, Mohanlal’s five-decade journey earns him the nation’s highest recognition in cinema.
By S JHA
NEW DELHI, September 20, 2025 — The Government of India has announced that Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will be conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, the nation’s highest honour in cinema, at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23, 2025.
In an emotional post on X, Mohanlal expressed his gratitude: “Truly humbled to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This honour is not mine alone, it belongs to every person who has walked alongside me on this journey. To my family, audience, colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, your love, faith, and encouragement have been my greatest strength and have shaped who I am today. I carry this recognition with deep gratitude and a full heart.”
Congratulatory messages have poured in from across the political and film fraternity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Mohanlal as a symbol of “excellence and versatility,” while Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described it as a “truly deserving recognition” that brings joy to every Malayali. Congress leader KC Venugopal called him “a true legend of Indian cinema,” and acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan, Mohanlal’s long-time collaborator, said, “No one deserves this recognition more.”
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlighted Mohanlal’s “remarkable cinematic journey that inspires generations,” citing his unmatched versatility and contribution across languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.
Born on May 21, 1960, in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair made his acting debut in 1980 with Manjil Virinja Pookkal, where he played the antagonist—a performance that marked the arrival of a new star.
Over the next four decades, Mohanlal redefined acting in Indian cinema with his naturalistic style, versatility, and effortless screen presence. He has starred in over 400 films, spanning genres from intense drama to action, comedy, romance, and historical epics.
His landmark movies include Kireedam (1989), Bharatham (1991), Vanaprastham (1999), Devasuram (1993), Drishyam (2013), and Lucifer (2019). Internationally, Vanaprastham was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, earning him global acclaim.
Mohanlal has won five National Film Awards, including Best Actor and Special Jury mentions, and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan (2019) and Padma Shri (2001) by the Government of India.
Beyond cinema, he is also a trained classical singer, stage performer, and film producer. His influence extends to theatre, having performed in Kadhayattam and Chayamukhi, and he remains one of the most bankable stars in Indian film history.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 cements Mohanlal’s status as not just the face of Malayalam cinema but as an icon of Indian cinema, whose craft and charisma continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and audiences worldwide.
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