Kenneth Jamuna (DENTURE WAXER)

I think it’s naive to assume that politics doesn’t play any role in major awards like the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025. Almost every national honour has some political element, whether we acknowledge it or not. The government in power wants to highlight personalities who align with its cultural narrative or who will bring them goodwill among the public. That said, in Mohanlal’s case, it would be unfair to reduce the recognition purely to politics. His career spans over 40 years with an extraordinary body of work. He has worked in more than 400 films, crossing multiple languages, and has fans not just in Kerala but across India. His versatility is legendary, from comedy to intense drama. So I’d say it’s a mix: yes, politics may influence timing and selection, but it cannot create a legend out of nothing. Mohanlal’s artistry made him worthy long before politics entered the picture.