There are moments in a celebrated artist’s journey that hit a little differently, even after reaching the peak of national recognition. For superstar Mohanlal, one such moment unfolded this Saturday. In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the state government proudly rolled out the red carpet to honor their very own legend.
This special event celebrated Mohanlal’s recent win of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema. Receiving this prestigious award from his home state deeply touched the popular actor. News agency PTI reported his heartfelt gratitude as he thanked the state government.
Mohanlal shared that this ceremony in his birth state felt even more emotional than the national award event in New Delhi. “This is the land where I was born and grew up,” he explained. “Its air, its buildings, its memories are woven into my soul. Such feelings are hard to put into words.”
He took a moment to look back at his early career. The superstar recalled his journey to Chennai with friends to work alongside director Fazil. He reflected on how cinema has given him a front-row seat to social changes over many decades. Mohanlal views an actor as being much like clay, shaped by the vision of directors, writers, and camera operators. He added that he has met both success and criticism with equal grace.
The actor dedicated his award to the people who truly make it possible: the audience. “Nothing can be achieved without them,” he stated, giving them full credit for his journey. He also made sure to thank his supportive family and friends. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the honor to Mohanlal. The Chief Minister praised Mohanlal as “the pride of every Malayali” and highlighted his amazing versatility and huge impact on Indian cinema.