HomeEntertainmentMohanlal's contribution to Indian cinema and why he deserved Dadasaheb Phalke award

Mohanlal's contribution to Indian cinema and why he deserved Dadasaheb Phalke award

Mohanlal, fondly known as Lalettan, is one of Indian cinema’s most revered and versatile actors, with a career spanning over four decades and 350+ films. From Kireedam to Drishyam, his naturalistic performances have redefined Malayalam cinema and earned him the Dadasaheb Phalke honour.

September 20, 2025 / 20:51 IST
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Mohanlal to get the Dadasaheb Phalke award
Mohanlal to get the Dadasaheb Phalke award

There aren't many actors in Indian movies that are as well-respected and liked as Mohanlal. For more than 40 years, Mohanlal Viswanathan has been a big part of Indian movie history.

Many of his fans call him Lalettan. Because of his body of work, breadth of styles, and cultural relevance, he is an obvious choice for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is the highest accolade in Indian film. Someone who is strong and adaptable Mohanlal began acting in the early 1980s and has since appeared in over 350 movies in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

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He is known as one of the most versatile actors in the country since he can quickly move between roles like a lighthearted romantic lead, a sad hero with a lot of depth, an intense villain, and a hilarious everyman. Critics have praised his performances in movies like Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, Drishyam, and Pulimurugan, and they have had a huge effect on other movies. Mohanlal's natural style of acting transformed Malayalam cinema by making it less over-the-top and more realistic and nuanced.

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