Mohanlal to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
I dedicate this honour to Malayalam cinema and to my family" Mohanlal
Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam superstar Mohanal has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, India's highest honour in cinema. The award will be presented at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23.
The 65-year-old actor, known affectionately as Lalettan, is the second Malayali film personality to win the award after noted Malayalam film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
The Union ministry of information and broadcasting announced the award, praising Mohanlal's contributions to Indian cinema. The ministry posted on X: "Mohanlal's remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! The legendary actor, director, and producer is being honoured for his iconic contribution to Indian cinema. His unmatched talent, versatility, and relentless hard work have set a golden standard in Indian film history."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mohanlal saying in a post on X: "Shri Mohanlal ji epitomises excellence and versatility with a rich body of work spanning decades. He stands as a leading light of Malayalam cinema and theatre and is deeply passionate about the culture of Kerala. He has also delivered remarkable performances in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. His cinematic and Theatrical brilliance across mediums is truly inspiring.”
Reacting to the announcement of the award, Mohanlal told the media;``I am extremely happy and proud of receiving this recognition. I thank all my colleagues, co-actors, directors and everyone. I dedicate this honour to Malayalam cinema and to my family. The Indian government, jury members who selected me, I thank them for bestowing this honour on me.”
“I have been in the cinema field for the last 48 years and the journey continues. It is a huge blessing, and a lot of people have helped me through this journey. I thank them once again. I express my gratitude to all those who love Malayalam, all who love cinema and God Almighty for his blessings.”
“More than me as an individual, it's a recognition for the entire Malayalam cinema,” he said.
Mohanlal has acted in over 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. He has won National Film Awards for his versatile roles in ‘Kireedam’, ‘Bharatham’, ‘Vanaprastham’, ‘Janatha Garage’ (Telugu), ‘Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol’ and ‘Pulimurugan’. He has also won the Kerala State Film Awards nine times.
Some of his other popular and critically-acclaimed movies include ‘Thanmathra’, ‘Iruvar’, ‘Drishyam’, and ‘Company’.
Director Sibi Malayil said;``We have enjoyed his films, his work and his accomplishments for the last four and a half decades. We continue to love his work. It is a proud moment for all of us that he has been bestowed with the highest honour in the country.”
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said Mohanlal was known for his effortless screen presence and wide range and added: “As an MP I am proud to lay claim to representing his city! Congratulations to Kerala's pride, our very own Lal!”
In addition to acting honours, Mohanlal was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001, and the Padma Bhushan in 2019 for his contribution to the arts.