Cinema Is the Heartbeat of My Soul: Mohanlal

Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran actor Mohanlal on Tuesday received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, in recognition of his contribution to the Malayalam film industry and Indian cinema at large.

Addressing the audience after receiving the award, Mohanlal described the moment as one of “profound pride and gratitude,” saying he was humbled to be the youngest recipient and only the second person from Kerala to be honoured with the accolade. He added that the award was not his alone, but a tribute to the entire Malayalam film fraternity and the legacy of creativity and resilience it represents.

Mohanlal expressed his gratitude to the Government of India, the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the members of the jury for recognising his work. He said he accepted the award as a blessing from the legendary masters of Malayalam cinema and dedicated it to the industry and the discerning audience of Kerala.

Quoting the veteran poet Kumaran Asan, Mohanlal said, “This flower did not merely fall into the dust; it lived a life of beauty,” calling it a tribute to all who have contributed to Malayalam cinema with brilliance and grace.

The actor also reaffirmed his commitment to cinema, describing it as the “heartbeat of his soul” and pledging to continue his journey with renewed sincerity, passion, and purpose.

Full speech below:

Honourable Rashtrapathi Draupadi Murmuji, Respected Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnav, esteemed dignitaries, colleagues from the film fraternity, ladies and gentlemen,

It is 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 its youngest recipient, and only the second person from my state to be bestowed with this recognition of national importance.

This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the entire Malayalam film fraternity. I see this award as a collective tribute to our industry’s legacy, creativity, and resilience. When I first received the news from the Centre, I was overwhelmed, not merely by the honour, but by the privilege of carrying 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 shaped Malayalam cinema with vision and artistry.

To be honest, I never dared to dream of this moment, not even in my wildest imagination. And so, this is not a dream come true, it is something far greater. It is magical, it is sacred. It roots me more deeply in gratitude and responsibility. I accept this award as the blessing of my forerunners, the legendary masters of Malayalam cinema, past and present. I dedicate it to our vibrant industry, and above all, to the discerning, intelligent audience of Kerala, who have nurtured our art with such love, faith, and insight.

As Kumaran Asan, the great poet and reformer, once wrote in Veenapoovu: “Chithayil aazhnnu poyathumallo, chiram manoharamaaya poovithu”, this flower did not merely fall into the dust; it lived a life of beauty. Let this moment be a tribute to all those who bloomed with brilliance and faded with grace, leaving behind a fragrance that continues to inspire us.

As an actor and film personality, this honour strengthens my soul. It deepens my commitment to cinema, and I pledge to continue my journey with renewed sincerity, passion, and purpose.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, to the Honourable President, the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the esteemed members of the jury, who have found me worthy of this accolade.

Ente aathmavinte spandanam aanu cinema, cinema is the heartbeat of my soul. Jai Hind.