From evoking Kumaranasan to legends of Malayalam cinema: Here’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Mohanlal’s full speech

Mollywood superstar Mohanlal who was presented with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2025 delivered an emotional speech after receiving the rare honour from Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The actor, who attended the ceremony in New Delhi on Tuesday, also said it is destiny’s gentle hand that allowed him to accept the award on all those who shaped Malayalam cinema. Here’s the full speech:

“It is with profound pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, having received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, an award instituted 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 the state to be bestowed with this national recognition. This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the entire Malayalam cinema fraternity.
I see this as a collective tribute to our industry, legacy, resilience, and creativity of Malayalam cinema. 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. So it is not a dream come true. It is something far greater, magical, and sacred. It roots me even more deeply in gratitude and responsibility. I accept this award as a blessing of my forerunners - the legendary masters of Malayalam cinema, past and present, I dedicate it to them. To the vibrant Malayalam film industry and the discerning, intelligent audience of Kerala, who have nurtured our art with love and insight. As Kumaranasan, the great poet and reformer wrote in ‘Veenapoovu’- ‘This flower did not merely fall to the dust, it lived a life of beauty. Let this moment be a tribute to all those who bloomed with brilliance and fed it with grace, leaving behind a fragrance that continues to inspire.
As an actor and film personality, this award strengthens my resolve. It deepens my commitment to cinema and I pledge to continue my journey with renewed sincerity, passion and purpose.