“I never imagined something like this. I’m not a big dreamer, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was never even in my distant thoughts,” he shared while receiving the award.
Mohanlal receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award
On September 23, 2025, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in a grand ceremony that took place in Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. The award, India’s highest honor in the field of cinema, was presented to him by President Droupadi Murmu.
While accepting the award, Mohanlal shared a heartfelt message with his fans. “I never imagined something like this. I’m not a big dreamer, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was never even in my distant thoughts,” he said.
Advertisement
With emotion, he dedicated the honor to all lovers of Malayalam cinema, acknowledging the support and love he has received from audiences over the decades.
Advertisement
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, first introduced in 1969, started in the name of the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke.
Each year, a committee of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry selects the awardee. They recognise excellence, influence, and lifelong dedication to Indian cinema of the awardee.
Recipients of the award receive a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a ceremonial shawl, and a cash prize of INR 10 lakhs.
Mohanlal’s career spans more than four decades and includes over 400 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada languages. Known for his natural acting style, he has won the hearts of audiences not only in Kerala but across India and abroad.
Beyond acting, he has also directed and produced several films.
His list of accolades is really long and impressive. The Government of India recognized his contributions by awarding him the Padma Shri in 2001. In 2019, he received Padma Bhushan. Mohanlal became the first Indian actor to receive an honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army in 2009.
Advertisement
