Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal Viswanathan has been nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023. The announcement was made on Saturday by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He will be honoured with this highest award for his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. The selection committee of the Ministry approved his name, and the award will be conferred at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony scheduled on September 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mohanlal on X, stating, “Mohanlal is an epitome of excellence and versatility. With decades of rich contribution, he has been a shining star of Malayalam cinema and theatre. Deeply passionate about Kerala’s culture, he has also delivered notable performances in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. His cinematic and theatrical brilliance across mediums is truly inspirational.”

The 65-year-old Mohanlal has been associated with cinema for over four decades and has acted in more than 400 films. Apart from Malayalam, he has captured the hearts of audiences in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema as well. He has previously won five National Awards, including two for Best Actor. Additionally, he has received nine Kerala State Awards and several international honours. In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Shri, and in 2019, the Padma Bhushan.

Born on May 21, 1960, in Elanthoor village of Kerala’s Kollam district, Mohanlal made his film debut in 1978 with Thiranottam. Since then, he has remained one of the most beloved actors of Indian cinema.