The Mohanlal Dadasaheb Phalke Award is one of the proudest moments in the history of Malayalam cinema. In September 2025, the Government of India named Mohanlal the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023 — India’s highest honour in cinema — recognising more than four decades of extraordinary work across Malayalam and other Indian film industries. He received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi.
Mohanlal became only the second person from Malayalam cinema to receive the honour, after legendary director Adoor Gopalakrishnan in 2004. Here is everything you need to know about the award and the remarkable career behind it.
Key Facts
- Award: Dadasaheb Phalke Award (for the year 2023)
- Announced: September 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Presented: at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony, New Delhi, September 2025
- Significance: second Malayalam film personality ever to receive it, after Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Table of Contents
About the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, who made Raja Harishchandra (1913), India’s first full-length feature film. It is presented by the Government of India for “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”. Recipients receive a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a cash prize and a shawl.
Past recipients include Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Waheeda Rehman and Mithun Chakraborty. Being added to this list places Mohanlal among the greatest figures in Indian film history.
Mohanlal’s Career in Brief
Born on 21 May 1960 in Elanthoor, in present-day Pathanamthitta district, Mohanlal made his screen debut as the villain in Fazil’s Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980). Within a few years, he had become one of the most popular actors in Malayalam cinema, known for his effortless naturalism, impeccable comic timing and ability to slip between genres.
Over more than four decades, he has acted in well over 350 films, mostly in Malayalam but also in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He has worked with almost every major Malayalam filmmaker — Padmarajan, Bharathan, Sibi Malayil, Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikad, Fazil, Shaji N. Karun, Jeethu Joseph, Prithviraj Sukumaran and many more. In 2024, he made his directorial debut with the 3D fantasy Barroz.
Mohanlal’s Major Honours
| Honour | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award – Special Jury Mention | 1989 | Kireedam |
| National Film Award – Best Actor | 1991 | Bharatham |
| National Film Award – Best Actor | 1999 | Vanaprastham |
| Padma Shri | 2001 | Fourth-highest civilian honour |
| Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Territorial Army | 2009 | First actor to be given the rank |
| Padma Bhushan | 2019 | Third-highest civilian honour |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | 2023 (presented 2025) | India’s highest film honour |
He has also won multiple Kerala State Film Awards and several Filmfare Awards South over his career.
Landmark Films That Defined Mohanlal
- Kireedam (1989): his heartbreaking turn as Sethumadhavan.
- Bharatham (1991): a musician consumed by guilt — his first national Best Actor award.
- Kilukkam (1991) and Chithram (1988): comedy classics with Priyadarshan.
- Devasuram (1993) and Spadikam (1995): iconic mass characters.
- Manichitrathazhu (1993): the cult psychological thriller.
- Vanaprastham (1999): a Kathakali artist’s tragedy, his second national Best Actor win.
- Drishyam (2013): the thriller that became a pan-Indian franchise. Read our Drishyam review.
- Pulimurugan (2016): the first Malayalam film to gross ₹100 crore.
- L2: Empuraan (2025) and Thudarum (2025): back-to-back record-breaking hits.
See our full Mohanlal movies guide for more.
What the Mohanlal Dadasaheb Phalke Award Means
For Malayalam cinema, the Mohanlal Dadasaheb Phalke Award is recognition not just of one actor but of an entire film culture. Mohanlal’s career mirrors the journey of Malayalam cinema itself — from the golden era of writer-driven films in the 1980s, through the commercial highs of the 1990s and 2000s, to today’s pan-Indian success.
The timing was also fitting. In 2025, Mohanlal enjoyed one of the most successful years of his career: L2: Empuraan became the first Malayalam film past ₹250 crore, and Thudarum was a massive family hit. In 2026, Drishyam 3 became the franchise’s biggest success. Very few actors receive their highest honour while still at the peak of their commercial powers. Shortly afterwards, his long-time contemporary Mammootty won a shared National Award for Best Actor, making it a historic period for Malayalam cinema’s two biggest legends — read our National Film Awards 2026 story.
Reactions Across the Industry
The announcement was welcomed across Indian cinema, with stars and filmmakers from Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi industries congratulating Mohanlal publicly. Fans in Kerala celebrated with special screenings of his classic films, and many described the honour as long overdue for an actor whose influence extends well beyond his home state.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mohanlal receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
The award, for the year 2023, was announced in September 2025 and presented at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi the same month.
Who was the first Malayali to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Director Adoor Gopalakrishnan received it in 2004. Mohanlal is the second.
How many National Awards has Mohanlal won?
Mohanlal has won two National Film Awards for Best Actor (Bharatham and Vanaprastham), along with special jury honours and a Best Feature Film award as a producer.
What does the Dadasaheb Phalke Award include?
It includes a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a cash prize and a shawl.
Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award before Mohanlal?
Actor Mithun Chakraborty received the award for 2022, presented in 2024. Mohanlal’s award was for the year 2023.
Is Mohanlal still acting?
Yes. After the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mohanlal continued to work steadily, with Drishyam 3 releasing in May 2026 and more films lined up, including the Lucifer sequel L3.
Conclusion
The Mohanlal Dadasaheb Phalke Award honours an actor who has given Indian cinema some of its most memorable characters. For a complete list of recipients, see Wikipedia’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award page, and keep following our Cinema News section for more stories from Malayalam cinema.
