Mohanlal’s Versatile Journey Across Indian Cinema; Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 Goes to Malayalam Superstar
New Delhi: Veteran actor Mohanlal, one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated icons, has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, the country’s highest honour in film. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the decision on the recommendation of the award’s selection committee, hailing his “iconic contribution” to Indian cinema.
Congratulating the Malayalam superstar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Mohanlal’s body of work, from his roots in Kerala to audiences worldwide, has celebrated India’s culture and aspirations. “His legacy will keep inspiring India’s creative spirit,” the minister said.
With a career spanning over four decades, Mohanlal has acted in more than 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, earning a reputation for unmatched versatility and depth. The actor, previously honoured with the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019), has also won multiple National Film Awards, including the Best Feature Film Award as producer of Vanaprastham.
ശ്രീ മോഹൻലാൽ ജി പ്രതിഭയുടെയും അഭിനയ വൈവിധ്യത്തിന്റെയും പ്രതീകമാണ്. പതിറ്റാണ്ടുകൾ നീണ്ട സവിശേഷമായ കലാസപര്യയിലൂടെ, മലയാള സിനിമയിലും നാടകത്തിലും പ്രമുഖ വ്യക്തിത്വമായി നിലകൊള്ളുന്ന അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്, കേരള സംസ്കാരത്തിൽ തീവ്രമായ അഭിനിവേശമുണ്ട്.തെലുങ്ക്, തമിഴ്, കന്നഡ, ഹിന്ദി സിനിമകളിലും… https://t.co/4MWI1oFJsJ pic.twitter.com/MJp4z96RlV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2025
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award will be presented to him at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23 in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings, calling Mohanlal “the epitome of excellence and versatility.” In a social media post, the Prime Minister praised the actor’s rich body of work in Malayalam cinema, theatre, and other Indian film industries, adding that his brilliance across mediums “is truly inspiring” and will continue to motivate generations to come.
