'Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul; this moment is not mine alone, it belongs to the entire Malayalam cinema fraternity'

NEW DELHI: Actor Mohanlal, who has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award, said in his acceptance speech that he felt proud to receive the prestigious award. He also said that the honour is not his alone but belongs to the entire Malayalam film industry. He said that he saw the award as a collective tribute to the Malayalam film industry, legacy, creativity and resilience.

“It's with profound pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, having received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, an honour instituted by the Government of India, in the name of 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 ever from our state to be bestowed with this national recognition. This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the entire Malayalam cinema fraternity," Mohanlal said.

“When I first received the news from the Centre, I was overwhelmed not merely by the honour, but by the privilege of being chosen to carry forward the voice of our cinematic tradition. I believe this is destiny's gentle hand, allowing me to accept this award on behalf of all those who have shaped Malayalam cinema with their vision and artistry. To be honest, I never dared to dream of this moment, not even in my wildest dreams. And so this is not a dream come true, this is something far greater. It's magical, it's sacred,” he said.

Calling it a blessing from the legends of Malayalam cinema, he dedicated the award to the industry and to the discerning audience of Kerala who embraced art with love. He said the honour strengthened his commitment to cinema and pledged to continue his journey with sincerity and purpose.

“I dedicate it to my forerunners, to the vibrant Malayalam film industry, and to the discerning, intelligent audience of Kerala who have nurtured our art with love and insight. As an actor and film personality, this honour strengthens my resolve. It deepens my commitment to cinema, and I pledge to continue my journey with renewed sincerity, passion and purpose. In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Honourable Rashtrapati ji, Honourable Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi ji, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the esteemed members of the jury who found me worthy of this accolade. Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul”, he added.

The award was presented to Mohanlal by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in Vigyan Bhavan in the evening. The audience rose to its feet and applauded the moment. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described Mohanlal as the "real OG" and a great actor.

The award was given in recognition of Mohanlal's outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. After filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan received it in 2004, this is the first time in two decades that Malayalam cinema has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.