India‘s Malayalam-language cinema superstar Mohanlal has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honor. The country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the selection, with the award to be presented at the 71st National Film Awards in New Delhi on Sept. 23.
The award – instituted in 1969 in memory of Indian cinema pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke, director of “Raja Harischandra” (1913), India’s first full-length feature, who is considered the father of Indian cinema – is given for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
Mohanlal, whose career spans nearly five decades, has acted in more than 360 films across the Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages. Known for acclaimed performances in titles such as “Kireedam,” “Bharatham,” “Vanaprastham” and the hit franchise “Drishyam,” he has already earned five Indian National Film Awards and multiple Kerala State Film Awards. He was previously honored with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019, two of India’s highest civilian awards.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the actor, writing on social media: “Congratulations to Lalettan @Mohanlal ji. From the adipoli, beautiful land of Kerala to audiences worldwide, his work has celebrated our culture and magnified our aspirations. His legacy will keep inspiring Bharat’s creative spirit.”
Mohanlal said the recognition was a “major honor for me and for Malayalam cinema,” crediting the audiences and colleagues who have supported his career.