Mohanlal has said he is “truly humbled” after being named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023, India’s highest recognition in cinema. In a heartfelt post on social media on Saturday, the veteran actor wrote:“Truly humbled to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This honour is not mine alone, it belongs to every person who has walked alongside me on this journey. To my family, audience, colleagues, friends, and well wishers, your love, faith, and encouragement have been my greatest strength and have shaped who I am today. I carry this recognition with deep gratitude and a full heart 🙏🏽♥️.”
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the award on Saturday, noting that the actor’s “remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended congratulations, describing Mohanlal as a “leading light of Malayalam cinema” whose work across languages has been “truly inspiring.”
Mohanlal becomes only the second person from Kerala to receive the award, after filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He will be formally conferred with the honour at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23 in New Delhi.
The actor has previously been honoured with the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019). On the work front, his upcoming multilingual epic Vrusshabha is scheduled for release on October 16, while his last film Hridayapoorvam will make its digital premiere later this month.