Aya Apablasa

Yes, absolutely. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 being given to Mohanlal again highlights the trend: actors and directors dominate the honour. While they are important, cinema is a collective art form. Without writers, editors, set designers, and sound engineers, even the greatest actor cannot shine. For example, someone like Salim–Javed (the writer duo) changed the face of Hindi cinema, yet only directors and actors from that era got the award. Similarly, legendary technicians like P.C. Sreeram (cinematographer) or Resul Pookutty (sound designer) have transformed Indian cinema, but they rarely get considered for lifetime achievement. If the government wants the Dada Saheb Phalke Award to reflect cinema as a whole, it should broaden the scope beyond the glamorous roles. Otherwise, it becomes too predictable and actor-centric.