Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 71st National Awards ceremony in New Delhi. The 65-year-old superstar received India’s highest cinematic honour from President Droupadi Murmu and delivered a stirring acceptance speech that celebrated Malayalam cinema’s legacy while paying tribute to the legendary artists who paved the way before him.

In his speech, Mohanlal said the award was not simply a dream fulfilled, but something sacred. He emphasized that the honour belonged not just to him but to the entire Malayalam film industry. “I never dared to dream of this moment. This is not a dream-come-true, it is something far greater. It is magical, it is sacred,” he said, expressing deep gratitude toward his predecessors and the audiences of Kerala who have supported him through his career.

The actor, fondly known as Lalettan, highlighted that he was only the second Malayalam actor to receive this award, underlining the pride it brings to the industry. He acknowledged the collective contribution of filmmakers, writers, and performers who shaped Malayalam cinema’s unique identity, saying the award was a recognition of the industry’s creativity and resilience.

Mohanlal, who has enthralled audiences for nearly five decades with iconic performances across Malayalam and Indian cinema, pledged to continue his cinematic journey with renewed passion and sincerity. “Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul,” he declared in Malayalam, before concluding his address with “Jai Hind.”

This recognition places Mohanlal alongside a legendary list of Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, Waheeda Rehman, Dilip Kumar, and Satyajit Ray. For fans and the film fraternity, the honour not only cements Mohanlal’s position as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the cultural power of Malayalam films on the national stage.