Mohanlal says after he was honoured with the rank of Colonel in territorial army, there was a 40% increase in enlistment from Kerala

Mohanlal was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the National Film Awards ceremony held in Delhi.

Mohanlal has been announced as the recipient of the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the National Film Awards ceremony in Delhi on Tuesday. Soon after receiving the award, Mohanlal reflected on his journey in cinema, the evolution of the Malayalam film industry, and the impact of his off-screen achievements on society.

In a conversation with DD News, Mohanlal recalled how Malayalam cinema once struggled with limited budgets. “When we started filmmaking, there were no gadgets on set. The technology existed, but Malayalam films could not afford it. We didn’t even have a monitor to review our shots. We had to wait for months until the processed reels came back, and only during dubbing sessions could we actually see our work. Things changed much later. Now, after each shot, one can instantly review it and make corrections,” he said.

The actor further reflected on how the industry has transformed, especially after the OTT boom. “Today, Malayalam cinema holds a very important place in the film industry. We are now ready to produce big films for global audiences and generate larger revenues. Drishyam 1 was a huge success, and when we made Drishyam 2, it was released in multiple languages and even sold to markets like China and Korea. Many Malayalam films are now being remade in Hindi and Telugu. It is a proud moment and also a great opportunity to keep creating strong content,” he shared.

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Mohanlal also spoke about his association with filmmaker Priyadarshan, with whom he has collaborated on nearly 50 films. “Over 90% of our films together have been superhits. Eventually, he remade my films in Hindi. Priyadarshan’s first film was with me, and now his 100th will also be with me. That is something truly historic,” he said with pride.

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Beyond cinema, the actor reflected on his stint as an honourary Colonel in the Territorial Army. Mohanlal revealed that after he was conferred with the rank, there was a 40% increase in enlistment from Kerala. “It has been 17 years. Every year when I visit my battalion, many soldiers tell me they joined because of me or because of the films we did on the Army. It is very touching,” he said.

On a lighter note, the veteran actor shared his personal favourites. While he remains deeply attached to Kerala cuisine, he admitted that Japanese food fascinates him, and he even enjoys cooking it. When asked about his favourite Bollywood actor, Mohanlal said, “All good actors are great in their own way. But if I must choose, it has to be Amitabh Bachchan. He is one of the greatest artistEs in the country. His brilliance lies in his ability to transform and still remain relevant after so many decades.”

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