Do you believe Mohanlal’s body of work that led to the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 is more impactful because of his versatility across languages, or mainly due to his influence in Malayalam cinema?

For me, Mohanlal’s versatility across languages is the real reason why the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 feels so justified. He managed to win hearts not just in Kerala but in Tamil Nadu and beyond. His Hindi film Company showed how he could adapt to Bollywood narratives too. This cross-cultural presence makes him different from someone who stayed confined to one industry. He became a pan-Indian figure, which is probably what made the jury confident about giving him the award now.

I don’t think we should separate the two—his Malayalam base and his multilingual ventures. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 is a culmination of both. His strength in Malayalam cinema gave him depth and credibility, while his forays into other industries gave him reach. Together, they made him a complete icon of Indian cinema.

I would argue that Mohanlal’s recognition through the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 is primarily because of his unmatched impact in Malayalam cinema. While he has done notable work in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, his true legacy lies in Malayalam films. Movies like Kireedam, Vanaprastham, and Bharatham showcased his acting brilliance in ways that resonated far beyond Kerala. His naturalistic acting style redefined Malayalam cinema and inspired countless actors. His cross-language projects only add a layer of visibility, but his foundation is deeply rooted in Malayalam cinema.