This year, the 71st National Film Awards evolved from a ceremony into a celebration of respect, legacy, and sincere admiration.
A heartfelt homage to Malayalam film legend Mohanlal, who was given India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was one of the evening's highlights.
The grandeur of Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi provided the perfect backdrop as President Droupadi Murmu herself handed over the award to the veteran star.
Millions of fans, watching the live stream on PIB India’s official YouTube channel, witnessed what felt like a historic and emotional chapter in Indian cinema.
It was Union Minister and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw who added an extra layer of affection to the moment. Taking the microphone, he described Mohanlal as the “Real OG” — a phrase that instantly lit up the hall — and urged the audience to applaud with all their energy.
“Sabse zyaada applause hona chahiye aaj Real OG, Mohanlal Ji ke liye. True legend. Give a lot of shout out. Itta awaaz sufficient nahi hai, aur tez. Congratulations, Congratulations to all (The loudest applause today should go to the Real OG, Mohanlal Ji. A true legend. Give him a big shout-out. This much noise is not enough, louder please. Congratulations, congratulations to all")
The love that Mohanlal has sparked over the course of his decades-long career was echoed by the cheers that filled the hall.
When Mohanlal rose to speak, his words were filled with humility and gratitude. “It's with profound pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, having received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, an honour instituted by the Government of India, 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.”
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For over forty years, Mohanlal has embodied versatility — moving effortlessly from intense dramas to tender character roles, creating a body of work that has shaped Malayalam cinema and influenced Indian cinema as a whole.
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