Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, recently crowned with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, received another special recognition from his home state of Kerala on Saturday.
The actor was felicitated by the Kerala government during the ‘Malayalam Vanolam Lalsalam’ event held in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan personally presented Mohanlal with a citation composed by poet Prabha Varma, celebrating the actor’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
With a visibly touched expression, the ‘Drishyam’ star said, “I am indebted to Dadasaheb Phalke. Receiving this honour here in Thiruvananthapuram, my birthplace, adds even more emotional weight. I still remember the days when a few friends and I, with little knowledge of cinema, dreamt of making films. Looking back now, it fills me with awe.”
Moments like these fill me with profound gratitude.
My sincere thanks to the Government of Kerala for the honour and warmth shown during the felicitation held in celebration of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
I remain deeply grateful to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Ministers, and… pic.x.com/9NKgDN4WG0— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) October 4, 2025
Mohanlal also expressed heartfelt gratitude to his colleagues and mentors, noting that support from others helped him overcome challenges in his journey.
“Whenever I felt like I was about to sink, someone was always there to lift me up. Every art form evolves with time, and through this evolution, I have been able to continue my journey,” he said.
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CM Pinarayi Vijayan, while paying tribute to Mohanlal, called it a proud moment to honour a Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner in the state capital. Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Few artists have captured the hearts of Malayalis across the globe the way Mohanlal has. His unforgettable roles are part of our cultural memory. It was a proud moment to honour the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner at Thiruvananthapuram today. Wishing him continued brilliance and success in his illustrious career.”
Mohanlal had received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 71st National Film Awards held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 23. The South superstar was given a standing ovation as he took the stage to accept the award from President Droupadi Murmu. His wife, Suchitra Mohanlal, was present and visibly emotional as he collected the honour.
On the professional front, Mohanlal continues to keep his fans excited with the third installment of the hit ‘Drishyam’ series. With a career spanning over four decades, the actor has been a constant presence in Indian cinema.