Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023, on Sunday said he is not a big dreamer and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was something that was not even in his distant dreams.
Addressing the media in Kochi on Sunday, after being selected for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mohanlal said, “I’m not a big dreamer, I couldn’t believe the phone call from the Prime Minister’s Office informing me of the award.”
The ace actor said that when he received the phone call from the Prime Minister’s Office sharing the news of his being selected for the prestigious Award, he could not believe it for a few moments.
“ When I got a call from the Prime Minister’s office informing me of the award, I was on a shoot. We can’t always believe it when something like this happens. This is something that I didn’t even dream of. The moment something like this happens is a moment when we wonder if all this is true. I asked them to repeat the information a second time. Similarly, when I was called and told about my first National Award, I asked to repeat the information a second time. The press says it’s the highest honour. But I don’t see it that way, I want to share this with everyone, to see it as an achievement for Malayalam,” Mohanlal said.
He said at this point, he is feeling a deep sense of humility and gratitude, and that he is dedicating the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Malayalam cinema.
“I speak with a deep sense of humility and gratitude here. This is a proud moment, and I cannot enjoy this alone. I’m sharing this with everyone, the audience, the people I have worked with in the past, the ones I am working with in the present, and those I will work with in the future, and I dedicate the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Malayalam cinema,” Mohanlal said.
He said the moment is a special and beautiful one for him and the entire film industry. “The award is for the entire Indian film industry,” Mohanlal said.
He said that he is someone who takes criticism lightly and that he gives importance to the happiness of the moment.
“All the criticisms are for a time. I’m not the kind of person who carries it on my shoulders. That time has passed. Forget all that, isn’t this moment the happiest moment? Why think about the past? Let’s just think about this moment,” said Mohanlal.
Calling the cinema a magic, the superstar said staying inside it for 48 years is a big circus.
“Cinema is magic. If two films are successful, you will go up. If one film is bad, you will go down again. Staying inside it for 48 years is a big circus, ” he said.
Acknowledging his gratitude to great actors in the Indian cinema, Mohanlal said he did not achieve this feat alone and that he has the blessings of the gurus of the Indian film world.
“I did not achieve this feat alone, each and every one of you was with me. I am one of the rare actors who have been fortunate enough to act with the best actors in India. I have close relationships with Prem Nazir sir, Sivaji Ganesan sir, Nageshwar Rao sir, Amitabh Bachchan sir, Raj Kumar sir, Thikurissi sir, Adoor Bhasi sir, and others. I believe that I also have the blessings of these gurus. I have to do good films. I have to collaborate with good people. It is a blessing to get roles. I have such luck for me,” he said.
Giving a piece of advice to the people who forget about their friends, near and dear ones, when they achieve name and fame, Mohanlal said, “Look at the people who are with you when you are climbing up. They will be there to support you when you are descending. If you don’t look at them, no one will look at you when you are descending.”