THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday adulated actor Mohanlal for raising the bar of Malayalam cinema to be among the best in the country. The Chief Minister was speaking while presenting the award of Sreekumaran Thampi Foundation to actor Mohanlal.

” Malayalam and Kerala are indebted to Mohanlal. He remains the best in the field even after 40 years into his career. His humanity is also worth mentioning. You will not see another actor who holds Kerala this close to his heart” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The high praise for actor Mohanlal comes at a time of controversy following the release of the Hema committee report. Former president Mohanlal had dissolved AMMA organisation after getting battered in an unprecedented crisis.

Earlier on Saturday, Mohanlal responded to the media for the first time since the controversy. The actor said he was hurt by the happenings and requested not to destroy the film industry.