KOCHI: Malayalam movie icon Mohanlal has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023. The nation’s highest recognition in cinema marks the crowning glory of the thespian’s illustrious career that has spanned more than four decades.
Announcing the honour on Saturday, the ministry of information and broadcasting, in a post on X, said, “Mohanlal’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations. His unmatched talent, versatility, and relentless hard work have set a golden standard in Indian film history.” The award will be conferred at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23.
Reacting to the accolade on Facebook, Mohanlal posted, “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.”
Congratulating the actor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mohanlal epitomises “excellence and versatility” and has been a “leading light of Malayalam cinema” while also excelling in other languages.
Hailing the recognition, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on X: “A truly deserving recognition for his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema. This proud moment brings joy to every Malayali and to our nation as a whole.”
In total, Mohanlal has won five national awards, including two best actor honours, nine Kerala state film awards, and several Filmfare awards. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019. In 2009, he was also inducted as an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, the first Indian actor to receive the distinction.
Even after four decades, Mohanlal continues to redefine excellence.
From Drishyam to recent hits like L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, he is not only an enduring superstar but also a constantly evolving artist — an icon whose journey inspires audiences and filmmakers alike, proving that his cinematic peak is far from behind him.