Mohanlal Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023

National Honour for a Cinema Legend

Mohanlal Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023: Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, India’s highest recognition in cinema. The award will be formally presented at the 71st National Film Awards on September 23, 2025. Instituted in 1969, this award celebrates lifetime contributions to Indian cinema.

Static GK fact: The first Dadasaheb Phalke Award was conferred on Devika Rani, the pioneer of Bombay Talkies.

Mohanlal’s Journey in Cinema

Mohanlal’s career began with Thiranottam (1978). Over more than four decades, he has acted in over 400 films, becoming one of India’s most versatile and admired actors. He has collaborated extensively with filmmaker Priyadarshan, delivering multiple classics.

Static GK Tip: Mohanlal is popularly called “The Complete Actor” by critics and fans alike.

Awards and Recognition

Mohanlal’s illustrious career is decorated with five National Film Awards, including two Best Actor honours, a Special Jury Award, and recognition as a producer. He has also won nine Kerala State Film Awards. Beyond film honours, he has received India’s prestigious civilian awards – the Padma Shri (2001) and the Padma Bhushan (2019).

Static GK fact: The Padma Bhushan is India’s third-highest civilian honour.

Notable Performances

His landmark performances include Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, Manichithrathazhu, Dasharatham, and Namukku Paarkan Munthirithoppukal. His ability to portray both intense and subtle characters has set benchmarks in acting.

Expanding Beyond Malayalam Cinema

Though rooted in Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal has acted in other languages. In Tamil, he starred in Iruvar (1997) by Mani Ratnam. In Hindi, his role in Company (2002) earned critical acclaim. He also impressed Telugu audiences with Janatha Garage (2016). Internationally, he is recognised through the Drishyam franchise, which has seen multiple remakes, including foreign adaptations.

Recent Success

Mohanlal continues to dominate the box office. His film L2: Empuraan (2024) grossed more than ₹260 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film. His 2025 Onam release Hrdayapoorvam has also drawn wide audiences. Apart from acting, he has made his mark as a playback singer, producer, distributor, TV host, theatre performer, and author.

About the Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The award honours lifetime contributions to Indian cinema. It includes a Swarna Kamal medallion, a shawl, and a ₹10 lakh cash prize. In recent years, Mithun Chakraborty (2022), Waheeda Rehman (2021), and Asha Parekh (2020) have received this honour.

Static GK fact: The award is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema.

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