The Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 has been awarded to Mohanlal for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. How do you evaluate his impact compared to past recipients like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, or Adoor Gopalakrishnan?

Comparing Mohanlal’s impact with stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, or Adoor Gopalakrishnan is tricky because their contributions are unique. - Amitabh Bachchan gave Hindi cinema its “angry young man” identity and redefined stardom. - Rajinikanth became a cultural phenomenon with his style and charisma, embodying mass appeal. - Adoor Gopalakrishnan transformed art-house cinema with realism and depth. Mohanlal, on the other hand, blended art and commercial cinema seamlessly. He could play a common man in one film and a superhero-like figure in another. His natural acting style influenced generations of actors, particularly in Malayalam cinema, but his films also gained international recognition at festivals. So while Bachchan and Rajinikanth dominate with larger-than-life images, and Adoor with intellectual cinema, Mohanlal sits somewhere in between—a bridge connecting commercial and artistic expressions. That is why the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 feels both logical and well-deserved.

I personally think Mohanlal’s impact is understated when compared to Amitabh or Rajinikanth, largely because of the language barrier. Hindi and Tamil have bigger reach globally, so naturally their legends get more attention. But when you actually look at Mohanlal’s body of work, it is staggering. His ability to embody emotions without theatrical exaggeration is what sets him apart. He doesn’t just act; he lives the role. For example, in Vanaprastham, he gave one of the finest performances in world cinema. Thus, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 corrects this imbalance. It shows that the award is not only about mass popularity but also about depth, subtlety, and cinematic artistry.