Mohanlal to Receive India‘s Dadasaheb Phalke award, Highest Film Honor
superstar Mohanlal, a leading figure in India’s Malayalam-language cinema, has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the nation’s most prestigious recognition for contributions to film. The award will be presented at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi on September 23rd,as confirmed by India’s Ministry of Information and broadcasting.
This honor recognizes Mohanlal’s nearly five-decade career and meaningful impact on Indian cinema. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, established in 1969, commemorates Dadasaheb Phalke - director of “Raja Harischandra” (1913), India’s first full-length feature film and widely considered the father of Indian cinema – and is bestowed upon individuals for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the industry. This award solidifies Mohanlal’s legacy and elevates Malayalam cinema on a national stage.
Mohanlal has starred in over 360 films across multiple Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. He is celebrated for critically acclaimed roles in films such as “Kireedam,” “Bharatham,” “Vanaprastham,” and the immensely popular “Drishyam” franchise.He has previously been recognized with five Indian National Film Awards and numerous Kerala State Film Awards.Prior to this, he received the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019, two of India’s highest civilian honors.
union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini vaishnaw lauded the actor, stating on social media: “Congratulations to Lalettan @Mohanlal ji. From the adipoli, gorgeous land of Kerala to audiences worldwide, his work has celebrated our culture and magnified our aspirations. His legacy will keep inspiring Bharat’s creative spirit.”
Mohanlal expressed his gratitude,calling the award a “major honor for me and for Malayalam cinema,” and acknowledged the support of his audiences and colleagues throughout his career.
He joins a distinguished list of past recipients including filmmakers Satyajit Ray, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and Shyam Benegal, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Rajinikant, and musicians Lata Mangeshkar and Manna dey.
