TV
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will be honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. The veteran actor will receive the honour at the 71st National Film Awards on September 23.
Mohanlal’s Heartfelt Gratitude
Expressing his emotions, Mohanlal wrote on social media, “Truly humbled to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This honour is not mine alone, it belongs to every person who has walked alongside me on this journey. To my family, audience, colleagues, friends, and well wishers, your love, faith, and encouragement have been my greatest strength and have shaped who I am today. I carry this recognition with deep gratitude and a full heart.” (sic)
Truly humbled to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This honour is not mine alone, it belongs to every person who has walked alongside me on this journey. To my family, audience, colleagues, friends, and well wishers, your love, faith, and encouragement have been my greatest…
— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) September 20, 2025
As soon as the news broke, congratulatory messages flooded social media for the actor, celebrating him as the recipient of the country’s highest recognition in cinema.
Ram Gopal Varma’s Controversial Take
Amid the celebrations, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma created a stir with his unconventional congratulatory message. He posted: “I don’t know much about #DadasahebPhalke except that he’s made the 1st ever film, which I dint see and I never met anyone who saw it, but from what I saw and know of @Mohanlal, I think Dadasaheb Phalke should be given the MOHANLAL AWARD.” (sic)
I don’t know much about #DadasahebPhalke except that he’s made the 1st ever film , which i dint see and I never met anyone who saw it , but from what I saw and know of @Mohanlal , I think Dadasaheb Phalke should be given the MOHANLAL AWARD 💐🔥💪
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) September 20, 2025
Netizens Hit Back Strongly
The post triggered a backlash, with many users slamming RGV. One wrote: “If you don’t know much about Dada Saheb Phalke then you should have kept mum instead of giving your opinion that too unsolicited.” (sic)
Another added: “It's ok if u want to elevate Mohanlal but why to down someone whom u claim u don't even know. Phalke was the guy because of whom Indian film industry started.” (sic)
A third user reminded: “No offence to Mohanlal sir; but Dada Saheb Phalke is a stalwart. Just like gravity, movies are everywhere... and He created it in India. Please show some respect.” (sic)
Why the Award is Named After Dadasaheb Phalke
Dadasaheb Phalke, revered as the Father of Indian Cinema, directed Raja Harishchandra (1913), the country’s first full-length feature film that laid the foundation of the Indian film industry. His vision and dedication turned cinema into a powerful medium of storytelling.
To honour his contribution, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969. It remains the highest recognition in Indian cinema, celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to the industry- just as Phalke did at its very beginning.
