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Mohanlal was felicitated by the Kerala government in Thiruvananthapuram after receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praising his legacy.
Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
The Kerala government honoured superstar Mohanlal on Saturday for winning the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema. The felicitation ceremony, held in the state capital, celebrated the actor’s immense contribution to Indian and Malayalam cinema.
Mohanlal honoured by Kerala govt
Speaking at the event, Mohanlal expressed how receiving the award in his home state made the moment even more special than the national ceremony in New Delhi. “This is the land where I was born and raised. Its air, its buildings, its memories are part of my soul. Such emotions cannot be acted out,” he said.
Reflecting on his early journey, the veteran actor recalled moving to Chennai with friends to work under director Fazil and highlighted how cinema has allowed him to witness and portray societal changes over the decades. “An actor is like clay shaped by directors, writers and cameramen. I have faced both success and criticism, and I take them equally,” he added.
Mohanlal dedicated the award to his audience, saying, “Without the audience, nothing can be achieved. This recognition belongs to them,” while also acknowledging the support of his family and friends.
Chief Minister’s tribute
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who presented the felicitation, described Mohanlal as “the pride of every Malayali,” praising his versatility and the depth of his work across Indian cinema. He cited the actor’s acclaimed performance in Vanaprastham, which was screened at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, and highlighted his ability to seamlessly portray diverse characters.
“In 1986 alone, he acted in 34 films, whereas today actors take up only two or three films a year,” Vijayan noted, wishing Mohanlal continued success as Malayalam cinema approaches its centenary.
The felicitation ceremony
During the ceremony, Mohanlal was presented with a memento, a scroll, and a painting by artist A. Ramachandran. The event was attended by Ministers V. Sivankutty, Saji Cherian, K.N. Balagopal, G.R. Anil, along with veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Kerala’s first Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient in 2004. Other attendees included actresses Ambika, Renjini, Malavika, director Joshiy, CPI state secretary M.V. Govindan, and MP A.A. Rahim.
Mohanlal’s speech at the main ceremony in Delhi
Sharing his experience of receiving the award at the National Film Awards 2025, Mohanlal posted photos on Instagram with the caption, “Gratitude.”
In his speech, he said, “It is with profound pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, having received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, an honour instituted by the Government of India in the name of the revered father of Indian cinema. I am deeply humbled to be the second from our state to be bestowed with this national recognition.”
He further described the award as a tribute not just to him but to the entire Malayalam film fraternity. “I see this award as a collective tribute to our industry, creativity, legacy, and resilience… To be honest, I never dreamt of receiving this honour, not even in my wildest dreams. So this is not a dream come true, but it is far greater; it is magical and sacred,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Mohanlal added, “I accept this award as the blessing of the legendary masters of Malayalam cinema, past and present. As an actor, this award deepens my commitment to cinema. I pledge to continue my journey with responsibility.”
About Mohanlal
Mohanlal, one of India’s most beloved actors, has had a prolific career spanning more than four decades with over 340 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. He has won five National Film Awards, two for Best Actor, a Special Jury Mention, a Special Jury Award, and one as producer for Best Feature Film.
October 05, 2025, 08:33 IST
