Mohanlal on Dadasaheb Phalke Award recognition: ‘There’s a time for everything’; actor to receive honour on September 23

Mohanlal gets Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Malayalam superstar is the first actor from Malayalam cinema and only the second recipient from the industry, since the award was established in 1969

Mohanlal thanks his family, friends in cinema and fans for their support

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is having an incredible year. All 3 of his films in 2025 – L2 Empuraan, Thudarum and Hridayapoorvam have done wonders at the box office, he has at least 1 or 2 more to wind up the year, and amid all this happiness came yet another piece of joyful news. The actor, who has been in cinema for nearly 5 decades, had been named as the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2023, which is the highest award in the field of cinema, instituted by the Government of India. Mohanlal will receive his honour on September 23 in Delhi.

Mohanlal is first actor from Malayalam to get the Dadasaheb Phalke recognition

As congratulatory messages poured in for Kerala’s pride, the actor spoke to Manorama News from the set of an upcoming film, and said that he was immensely thankful to everyone who has collaborated with him over the last nearly 5 decades, which has made this recognition possible. Mohanlal said that he considers it a great honour, which he wholeheartedly accepts. The actor profusely thanked his family, as well as his near-and-dear ones in cinema, and his fans and well-wishers, without whom this would not have been possible.

Also read: Mohanlal to receive prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his remarkable cinematic journey

He also stressed that he still has miles to go as far as his cinema journey goes and that he will continue along this path for as long as possible with utmost honesty to the art and craft. When asked if the award has come a little late in the day in his career, Mohanlal said that there was no point discussing this and added that there’s a time for everything. Now it is his time. Mohanlal is the first actor from Malayalam cinema and only the second recipient of the prestigious award, after 2004’s recognition for director Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

FAQs

Q. Who is the recipient of the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award?

A. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is the recipient of the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in the field of cinema. He is the first actor from Malayalam and only second recipient, after filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2004) to be felicitated with the recognition.

Q. Who is the first-ever recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?

A. Devika Rani, considered the first lady of Indian cinema, was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969.

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