Phalke for Mohanlal

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, fondly called Lalettan by fans, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest cinematic honour, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced on Saturday.

- FPJ News Service

The award recognises his “iconic contribution to Indian cinema,” and the 65-year-old actor, director, and producer wil! receive the accolade at the 7st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23.

Mohanlal’s journey from a young aspirant to a living legend spans over four decades, with more than 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. He made his acting debut as an 18-year-old in the Malayalam film Thiranottam. Though the film faced a delayed release, it marked the beginning of a career that would redefine versatility in Indian cinema. His

first significant breakthrough came with Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980), where his portrayal of an antagonist displayed an innate flair for performance, hinting at the superstar he would become.