New Delhi/Kochi: The 71st National Film Awards turned into a defining moment for Malayalam cinema as legendary actor Mohanlal Viswanathan, fondly known as Lalettan, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest cinematic recognition. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the award in New Delhi, honouring not only Mohanlal’s four-decade career but also the cultural weight of Malayalam storytelling in Indian cinema.
Early Life and the Making of a Star
Born on 21 May 1960 in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Mohanlal’s tryst with cinema began modestly. His first film Thiranottam (1978) never saw a timely release, but fate intervened with Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980), where he debuted as a villain. The suave antagonist soon transformed into Malayalam cinema’s most bankable hero, embodying both mass appeal and emotional depth.
Rise to Superstardom
By the mid-1980s, films like Rajavinte Makan catapulted him into superstardom, earning him the label of Malayalam cinema’s first “modern superstar.” What distinguished Mohanlal was his ease in straddling genres be it the haunting poignancy of Bharatham, the psychological complexity of Thanmathra, or the family thriller mastery of Drishyam. His acting style natural, unforced, and intensely relatable earned him a following across linguistic borders.
Awards, National Recognition and Beyond
Mohanlal’s shelf already carries five National Film Awards, numerous Kerala State Film Awards, and civilian honours such as the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019). With the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, he joins an elite league of Indian cinema icons.
For many in Kerala, this award is not just for Mohanlal, but for Malayalam cinema itself a recognition of its quiet brilliance and its ability to speak to universal human emotions.
Personal Touch: A Son and a Father
Amid accolades, Mohanlal remains deeply rooted in his personal life. Known for his humility, he sought blessings from his mother after the award announcement. His daughter Vismaya paid a heartfelt tribute, calling him not just a cinematic icon but her “Acha” (father) who lived his values both on and off screen.
Why the Phalke Award Matters
For an actor who has embodied everything from mythic heroes to vulnerable middle-class men, this award is a validation of a career defined not by spectacle alone but by authenticity. As Mohanlal himself reflected, the award is both a “catalyst and a responsibility” a reminder to continue choosing stories that matter.
Conclusion
Mohanlal’s journey is as cinematic as the films he inhabits. From a young man debuting in small roles to becoming the face of Malayalam cinema, and now standing on India’s highest pedestal of cinematic recognition, his story reaffirms that cinema, at its best, transcends boundaries. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is not merely a lifetime achievement; it is a cultural celebration of an actor who has become synonymous with truth on screen.
