71 National Film Awards 2025: Mohanlal Conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian Cinema’s Highest Honour

Actor

Mohanlal has been conferred with India Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema. Mohanlal, National award-winning actor, has been part of the film industry for over four decades and has starred in more than 400 films. Previously, the Indian government honoured him with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2019, India's fourth and third highest civilian honours, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Mohanlal Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award At The 71st National Film Awards 2025

President Droupadi Murmu presented the country’s highest film distinction to Mohanlal at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan today, on September 23.Apart from cinema, he was commissioned as an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army in 2009.

Talking at the event, he said "It is with profound gratitude I stand before you to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke award, named after the revered father of Indian cinema. As a representative of the Malayalam film industry, I am deeply humbled to be the youngest recipient and only the second from the state to receive the honour. This moment is not mine alone, it belongs to the entire Malayalam film industry. When I first received the news from the center, I was overwhelmed, not really by the honour but by the privilege, chosen to carry forward the cinematic tradition, I believe that this is destiny. To be honest I didn't think of this moment, not even in my wildest dreams I thought I would receive the honour. And so, this is not a dream come true, this is something far greater, it is magical. As an actor and film personality, this honour further strengthens and deepens my commitment to cinema. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Honorable the Prime Minister, Ministry of Information, and the jury." He concluded the speech in Malayalam by saying "cinema is the heartbeat of my soul"On the announcement of the honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, "Shri Mohanlal Ji epitomises excellence and versatility. With a rich body of work spanning decades, he stands as a leading light of Malayalam cinema, theatre and is deeply passionate about the culture of Kerala. He has also delivered remarkable performances in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. His cinematic and theatrical brilliance across mediums is truly inspiring. Congratulations to him on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. May his accomplishments continue to inspire generations to come."

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted in 1969 to commemorate the “Father of Indian Cinema” Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, is considered the highest honour in Indian film. It is presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Directorate of Film Festivals. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, is the only other Malayali who to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2004 for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema.On the work front, Mohanlal will soon be seen in Vrusshabha, a multilingual epic gearing up for Diwali release on October 16. His recent release Hridayapoorvam, a feel-good drama which did well in the theatres, is set to have its digital premiere on September 26. The actor is also working on Drishyam 3, the third instalment in the blockbuster Drishyam franchise.