71st National Film Awards: Mohanlal Calls Dadasaheb Phalke Honour ‘Far Greater’ Than Just ‘Dream Come True’

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 at the 71st National Film Awards on Sept 23, 2025, for his iconic contribution to the film industry. Overwhelmed by the lifetime

achievement, Mohanlal delivered a heartwarming speech, thanking the Prime Minister, the jury, and the Ministry of Broadcasting for considering him worthy of the grand honour.

While addressing the presenters, Mohanlal began his speech by saying, “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. This moment is not mine alone; it is also of the entire Malayalam cinema fraternity. I see this award as a collective tribute to our industry, creativity, legacy, and resilience. When I first received the news from the state, I was overwhelmed, not really by the honour, but by the privilege to carry forward the voice of our cinematic tradition,” he further continued.

While talking about how this moment is far bigger than just a dream coming true, the actor shared, “I believe it is destiny that allowed me to receive the award on behalf of all those who have helped shape Malayalam cinema with their vision and artistry. 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.”

While concluding and thanking everyone, the actor accepted the award as a blessing of his forefathers and said, “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 is one of the most loved Indian actors, with a prolific career spanning over four decades and more than 340 films to his credit. Regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema history, he has not only ruled Malayalam films but also appeared in several other Indian languages. Over the years, he has won five National Film Awards—two for Best Actor, a Special Jury Mention, a Special Jury Award for acting, and one for Best Feature Film as a producer.